Wishbone aside, new wrinkles may be in store with Browns’ Kareem Hunt-Nick Chubb package
https://www.beaconjournal.com/sports/201...k-chubb-packageBrowns coach Freddie Kitchens is talking about the wishbone again and, as he proved last November against the Atlanta Falcons, he may not be joking.
Whether or not Kitchens employs the throwback college formation from the 1970s and ’80s with the team’s playoff hopes on the line, his creative juices have to be flowing with Kareem Hunt and Nick Chubb in the backfield.
Going into Sunday’s rematch with the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field, the Browns are 3-0 since Hunt joined the team Nov. 10 at home against the Buffalo Bills after serving an eight-game league suspension for violating its personal conduct policy.
The 2017 NFL rushing champion as a rookie with the Kansas City Chiefs, Hunt wouldn’t comment on whether that record is a coincidence. But the addition of Hunt to an offense that already has Chubb, second in the league in rushing this week with 1,117 yards, has provided a spark. A unit that lacked rhythm when the Browns started 2-6 has looked sharper and more aggressive.
Some of that could be the improved play of quarterback Baker Mayfield. But Kitchens gave Hunt some credit, as well.
“I think Kareem has had a tremendous impact from the standpoint of showing how unselfish he is and then once he has the ball in his hands showing how explosive he can be,” Kitchens said during a conference call Monday. “You always have to account for where he is, and I think that opens up other guys, so I think he has been a tremendous asset.”
Statistically, the numbers haven’t jumped much. The Browns averaged 346 yards per game without Hunt, 376 with him. Their rushing yards per game have jumped from 121 to 132.7. Perhaps the most noticeable difference has come on third down, with the Browns converting 30.6 percent in the first eight games, and 40 percent in the last three with Hunt largely serving as the third-down back.
Center JC Tretter said opponents may not have seen all the Browns can do with Hunt and Chubb.
“They both are similar backs, they do a lot of great things, but they’re versatile,” Tretter said in a Monday conference call. “We can do a bunch of different things with them, we can use them both on the field at the same time and that’s been a nice little package for us since Kareem got back.
“I think we’re still growing the package and we’re still moving him around and finding the best place to put each of ’em. It’s a good problem to have. It’s something that we enjoy trying to get both those guys involved and get them opportunities and get them rolling.”
There was excitement in Tretter’s voice, and Kitchens feels it, too.
“Yeah, I think they are [excited] and I am excited,” he said. “You only have so many plays in a game, so some things get carried over from week to week. We have not gotten the wishbone package out there yet, four backs in the backfield at the same time and all of that kind of stuff. Hopefully, we can get it called this week.”
The Browns don’t have a true fullback on the roster for that wishbone, but rookie tight end Stephen Carlson or Hunt, who has surprised some with his blocking in the three games, might be called upon.
Adding to the sense that there could be more wrinkles to come is that both Chubb and Hunt are effective receivers. Chubb has caught 30 passes for 224 yards (7.5 average), Hunt 15 for 99 yards (6.6). In Sunday’s 41-24 home victory over the Miami Dolphins, the Browns turned the tables and used Chubb more in the passing game. He caught three passes for 58 yards, including a 32-yard screen on the opening play, and Hunt caught two for 9 yards.
Asked if Chubb’s receiving skill adds to the untapped potential of the two-man backfield, Hunt said Sunday: “You never know. Now they’ve got to keep an eye, watch out, he’s sneaky now. He’s sneaky. Keep an eye.”
Before they faced the Dolphins, Chubb said he and Hunt were just getting started. Chubb went on to rush for 106 yards and Hunt 37 against Miami.
“The sky’s the limit with what we can do with us in the backfield and on the field at the same time,” Chubb said on Nov. 20. “I just look forward to each week, going out there and playing with another great player.”
Chubb noted that the Steelers schemed for the Hunt/Chubb package “and did some good things against it” in the Nov. 14 game in Cleveland, won by the Browns 21-7. But Chubb said the running back combination has also helped the passing game.
“I’m not sure exactly what it was, but when you have Kareem, who can run routes so well and catch the ball well out of the backfield, it’s a mismatch with him on linebackers and things like that,” Chubb said on Nov. 20. “That’s probably the biggest thing, a great receiver coming out of the backfield, as in Kareem, going against guys who can’t cover him.”
