Krunch Time With Katelin: The Browns are Finally "Feeding The Crow"

By Katelin Marshall, @KatelinKnowsCLE

The Browns are 0-4 through the first four weeks and yeah that sucks but did you know the Browns have the best running game in the league? The Browns are averaging 149.2 yards per game and its headlined by Isaiah Crowell, who is second in the NFL in rushing yards with 394. And he's just 18 yards behind Zeke Elliot for the lead.

The Running game with Crowell as the "bell cow back" has been a bright spot for this team's offense since the Browns are lacking some play makers because of injuries. Also with Cody Kessler as the Starting quarterback defenses have stuffed the box against Crowell. Just look at his highlights against the Redskins or his 85 yard run against the Ravens.

After a promising rookie season in 2014 when he ran for 607 yards and eight touchdowns, fans and the Browns expected more from him in 2015. Yes he had 706 yards last year but the touchdowns were down even with the increase of carries and him starting the entire year. So going into 2016 their was a question mark on the running game since the Browns lost their All-Pro center Alex Mack and starting right tackle Mitchell Schwartz.

Crowell and head coach Hue Jackson put a lofty goal of 1000+ yards on the ground for him. Which would make him the Browns first 1000 yard rusher since Peyton Hillis in 2010...yes its been that long. Crowell is projected to have just under 1600 yards on the ground this year. Now 1600 yards is kinda crazy considering the Browns still have Duke Johnson. But if Crowell stays healthy, he should surpass 1000 with ease.

Its interesting how Isaiah Crowell compares to Jeremy Hill the past few years. Hill had two really good years with Hue Jackson as play caller (which he is in Cleveland also). In 2014 he had 222 attempts with 1124 yards and nine touchdowns. In 2015, Hill had 223 with only 794 yards but 11 touchdowns. What's interesting is that Crowell is projected to have 244 rushes and be the "Jeremy Hill" of Hue Jackson's offense. Like stated before he is projected to have just under 1600 yards but that's if he continues to average 6.5 yards/carry.  Another random and interesting stat with Crowell is that he didn't fumble the ball last year while having an increase of touches.

Isaiah Crowell could be the Browns running back for the next few years. He's only 23 years old with a low work load. Yes, this is his last year of his contract but Crowell is a restricted free agent this upcoming off-season. He only going to get better with more seasoning and with Duke Johnson growing as the pass catcher/spell back.