Chubb/Hunt 2-Back: Verily Inedible out of Freddie's Kitchen.

Wow did you know that per PFF, 3 of the top 4 most elusive running backs in the NFL play for the Browns?

Nick Chubb is first in the NFL with a 103.6, nearly 9 points ahead of number two, Derrick Henry.  That's impressive.

But...Derrick Henry is number two, Hunt is 4th, and Beast-Mode is 5th, so I don't think PFF doesn't define "elusive" the same way most of us do.

Doesn't this look more like a "yards after contact" list?  Whatever it works for me!

As you guys know, I see no reason why Duke Joackson can't be traded til midseason, because Rodney Hilliardfield is earning his props (note on that: Randy Gurzi is who pointed him out to me prior to laast season so there's his props).

Duke should have greater value now than he will then, as teams are still churning their rosters, and guys will get hurt in training camp.

Duke is a Swiss Army Knife, and teams short on slot guys or third-down backs, or merely half a "committee" will be interested in him...like at least 15 of them.

Duke's price will go up as the regular season approaches, and other GMs see that DePodests Dorsey won't blink (no doubt he's already been offered 5th round picks and stuff).

By the way Mayfield's comments about Duke ticked me off too.  That was unneccessary and stupid.  

It doesn't mean Mayfield is an aho, but indicates a lack of empathy.  Anybody who reads this understands why Duke feels the way he does.

Baker seems to think that his personal situation is irrelevant, and Duke should be happy being stuffed in a corner collecting splinters just to be a cheerleader or something.

Baker should remember watching Tyrod Taylor last year, and imagine how he would feel if he was looking at a second year on the bench himself.

Duke isn't being divisive, Baker.  He's being a businessman.  He's a football player, not a cheerleader.  

Anyway, I look forward to Kareem Hunt and Nick Chubb at the same time, and have some profound relevations for you whippersnappers:

I remember something called a "two-back" Offense.  (No seriously!  At one point MOST NFL Offenses had two running backs on the field at the same time!!!)

You know that Jim Brown was a Fullback?

Then things changed and here comes 3 and 4-wide spread offenses, fullbacks devolving to part-time blockers and last-ditch receivers, etc.

But then Lindy Infante (under Marty Schottenheimer) brought a legit 2-back offense back to the NFL: Earnest Byner and Kevin Mack (aka the "crack-back" but I digress):

Hard to compare these two to Hunt and Chubb, who are both big and can both catch and stuff, but stick with me here:

Earnest Bryner was both smaller and slower than Alex Mack (a very explosive battering ram), but actually was Mack's lead-blocker, and blasted much bigger people than himself aside.  That's why we love Earnie--"the fumble" and all!

Byner was a great receiver out of the backfield, but you whippersnappers don't know what that means anymore.

Lindy had him catching "long handoffs" "in the flats".  He was really the outside running threat, except his outside runs were technically passes: 3-8 yard lobs.

Defenses had to stack against Mack inside, and couldn't---nevermind anyway Byner was an actual running back who took actual handoffs and did this other stuff too.

Kevin Mack was just a 230 lb pile of muscles with 4.4 speed.  These two gained 1,000 yards from scrimmage each in the same season.  

Partly why this worked so well was because one-back/spread offenses were the latest copycat-fad and Defenses weren't staffed or schemed to stop a 2-back...see where I'm going here?

I'm not sure about Todd Monken, but I'm optimistic that Freddie Kitchens will try to use both Hunt and Chubb at the same time.

First, these are certainly two of the best skill-players he has.  You can put OBJ there with them, and maybe Njoku, but nobody else (possibly Callaway as a deep threat sometimes); they fit as 2 of the 5 best skill players.

Second, both of them are big, powerful guys who can block (both as lead-blockers and in pass-protection.)

I'm not sure about Hunt, but don't doubt that Nick Chubb would embrace being a lead-blocker for Hunt...and I reckon Hunt has to reciprocate, doesn't he?

*Any running back can lead-block, if he is willing.*

Third, unlike Mack/Byner, either or both of these guys can line up on the line as actual downfield receivers.  They physically overmatch most linebackers and some safeties.

Any Defense seeing Chubb and Hunt trot to the huddle with Njoku cannot run a nickel.  They have to run a 3-4 or 4-3 or whatever.

Unless it's 3rd and 9 or something, they can't discount an inside run, Chubb is first and Hunt is 4th in "elusiveness" (and list "running little guys over" amongst their hobbies)---well nickels can't work here, right?

Hunt and Chubb could "max-protect" on long bombs to OBJ, Njoku, or whoever, OR can pile up the gut, OR can go "empty backfield" and screw Defenses up every which way!

Harken back to my numerous previous literal masterpieces: the best coaches use their best players as often as they can, and adapt their scheme to their on-board talent.

The 2019 Browns should do well through the first half of 2019.  But (if Freddie reads this Blog), opposing defenses will be in disarray as of game 9.