Running backs coach Stump Mitchell says a Nick Chubb-Kareem Hunt pairing in the backfield hasn't developed because of injuries to both backs last season. (TheLandOnDemand)
Running backs coach Stump Mitchell, the Yoda of Browns assistant coaches, weighs in on the most intriguing position group on the roster
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Editor's note: Tony Grossi is a Cleveland Browns analyst for TheLandOnDemand.com and 850 ESPN Cleveland. He has covered the Browns since 1984.
Takeaways from Day 13 of Browns training camp …
The most intriguing position group on the Browns’ roster is running back.
It’s the deepest and most talented and because of its almost embarrassing surplus of quality backs, it is surely the position group to give the Browns the most difficult choices come time to determine the first – but not final – cut to 53.
“We love tough decisions at every position. Trust me,” running backs coach Stump Mitchell said on Monday. “Because that makes a better football team. Everything will work out the way it’s supposed to.”
This position group also is one to watch because of Kareem Hunt’s request for a new contract or a trade, Hunt’s close friendship with No. 1 Nick Chubb and how that might impact the Browns’ roster decision, the rapid emergence of rookie fifth-round draft pick Jerome Ford, and the Browns’ fondness for D’Ernest Johnson as a reserve back and special teams core player.
Mitchell is the most blunt and insightful assistant coach on Kevin Stefanski’s staff. With 20 years as an NFL coach and another 13 as a player, he commands the respect of everyone. His bushy white beard and diminutive stature, along with his infinite wisdom, make Mitchell the Yoda of Stefanski’s coaches.
Mitchell’s insight on his running backs bears noting because he will have some influence on whether the Browns decide to move one of them.
On Ford’s grand debut and whether he can duplicate Hunt’s skills as a third-down back:
“He did some good things, but we cannot turn the ball over, which is one thing he did. He had some big plays for us. Scouting department knew he could play. We got a good guy, especially the round in which we got him.
“We’ve seen during pass protection drills that we have that he can pick up a blitz. I like what I see.
“He has more speed than Kareem. But he can catch the ball, he can run routes, he can do it all. He can do it all – first, second, third down. He can do it all.”
On Hunt’s motivation after an injury-plagued 2021 season:
“Right now, he’s healthy. He’s hungry to play football. If he can stay healthy he’ll be ready to perform the way he’s performed, and hopefully better.
“I don’t think any of the running back coaches he’s had, including me, has gotten the most out of Kareem. He’s a physical, talented guy, but we got to get him – well, I have to get him -- to play within our system. You all have not seen the best of Kareem, by no stretch of the imagination.
“Because of the type of player he is. He’s an aggressive player. He needs to be just a little more patient. And then he could be the best in the league.”
More on Hunt’s impatience:
“I look at him from college and it’s the same way. Talented guy. He just wants to go right now. But he’s got to be more patient. With the Chiefs [when he led the NFL in rushing], it was the same thing. He averaged 4.9 yards. He could have been better than that if he’d have been a little more patient. So the best of Kareem is yet to come.
“He hasn’t gotten it yet. He understands what I’m saying. It’s a habit he has to break. I think he’s working on it. He’s seen it. I mean, D’Ernest averaged over 5 yards. Nick averaged over 5 yards. John Kelly, only has two carries, averaged over 5 yards. And Kareem has not. So he knows the system is right, he just has to make it happen.”
On whether we’ve seen the best of Chubb:
“No. Hell no. Nick’s got to be a little more patient. He’s got to attack defenders. He’s got to make the field longer. Those are things he’s working on. And he’s catching the ball and running routes a heckuva lot better than he did in the past.”
On keeping everybody happy with opportunities:
“They have to do their role. Not just the backs but the receivers and tight ends. If you’re in there on third down, you got to get a first down. Because I don’t think 64 plays [in a game] are enough for us with the skill guys we have. We need to be around 78-80 plays for everybody to be happy. So when the ball’s coming your way, you need to catch it and you got to make the first down. When you’re running it, you got to follow your blockers. When we need you to be tough and beat one or two guys, you got to do it.”
On why the elusive pairing of Chubb and Hunt in the same backfield hasn’t been developed:
“I think there was a concerted effort last year but, unfortunately, Nick got hurt first and then Kareem got hurt. So it’s a good idea. But if the guys aren’t there, it’s tough to do it, and if they’re not practicing it’s tough to think you want to do that when you’re not getting a look at it. We’re only going to call what we see. So everybody has to be practicing. Got to be healthy and afford us the opportunity to do that.”
On why Demetric Felton has concentrated on receiver this summer:
“I’d like him to be one place or the other. But that’s not the way it is. I’m happy because he’s that guy … we don’t worry. If someone goes down in the running room, we got Demetric. If someone goes down in the receiver room, we got Demetric. That was a great pick for us as a player. Now for him, it gets frustrating because he would like to challenge in the running back room or the wide receiver room. Right now, guys get injured and we can’t afford to afford him that opportunity but we’re so glad to have him. He also returns kicks and punts. He can do it all for us.”
Brownie bits
Cornerback Denzel Ward was activated off the PUP list and rejoined position drills. Stefanski would not say if Ward would be ready to participate in everything in the joint practices with the Philadelphia Eagles on Thursday and Friday …
Defensive end Myles Garrett was absent for the second day in a row for personal reasons …
The following players had to leave practice with injuries: Defensive end Isaiah Thomas (hand), center Dawson Deaton (knee) and receiver Mike Harley (ankle). It was learned later in the evening that Deaton, the last pick of the Browns' 2022 draft, tore an ACL …
Deshaun Watson continued to take the bulk of snaps with the No. 2 offense, ahead of Josh Dobbs. It’s an indication that Stefanski would like to give Watson more game action in Sunday’s preseason game against the Eagles – if he’s eligible to play. “I am not ready to say that yet,” Stefanski said …
The competition for No. 3 tight end behind David Njoku and Harrison Bryant is heating up. There hasn’t been much separation between four candidates, but Nakia Griffin-Stewart, an undrafted free agent of the Vikings in 2020 who’s on his fifth team, showed some strong hands on a bullet throw from Watson in a red zone drill.
