<![CDATA[Use of players on offense]]> A good article on it here 

https://articles.cleveland.com/browns/index.ssf/2018/10/depleted_cleveland_browns_aren.amp?__twitter_impression=true

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Browns ran a trick play Sunday, a flea flicker that Carlos Hyde flipped back to Baker Mayfield, and then the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft sent a 33-yard pass toward the end zone.

At the goal line, undrafted rookie receiver Damion Ratley went up for the catchable ball like he'd never tried to catch a pass in a real NFL game before.

He hadn't.

Yes, the first target of Ratley's professional life was a trick play potential touchdown for a team that entered Sunday with playoff aspirations. It didn't work. Nothing the Browns did Sunday worked in a 38-14 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.

A depleted offense, missing injured receivers Rashard Higgins and Derek Willies, didn't utilize the best players that were available. If you wondered where the Browns skill was in week six, Duke Johnson (five targets, two rushes) and Nick Chubb (three rushes) were standing on the sideline with their hands raised.

Here we are.

The Browns missed Higgins, Willies, the one-time game-changing talent of Josh Gordon (traded for unreliability) and one-time possible potential of Corey Coleman (traded for not being good at football) terribly on Sunday.

But the answer to all that didn't have to be eight targets for Ratley and 10 targets for fourth-round rookie Antonio Callaway, who has stunningly turned into a go-to player a year after not playing football at the University of Florida.

"I've got to adapt," Callaway said Sunday. "It's the NFL, so whether I played last year or didn't play last year, I've got to be ready."

Ratley actually wound up making some plays Sunday, catching six of his eight targets for 82 yards. Callaway, an understandably enigmatic hit-or-miss talent at this point in his career, caught just two of those 10 targets for nine yards.

The Browns were throwing to some guys who can't do it yet. But, critically, the Browns are also ignoring some guys who maybe can do it.

Johnson's lack of action was a major topic this week , with Johnson expressing some frustration at his lack of usage, and Hue Jackson and offensive coordinator Todd Haley expressing an interest in getting him more involved.

This wasn't much of a jump.

Johnson ran it twice for 36 yards and was targeted five times in the pass game, catching four passes for 73 yards.

So the Browns tried Johnson seven times and gained 109 yards on those plays, average of 15.6 yards.

In their other 65 plays, they gained 208 yards, an average of 3.2 yards.

It's obviously not actually that simple or that stark. But Johnson had a combination of 41 targets and rushes through five games, an average of eight per game. To talk all week about doing more with Johnson, then to try him seven times, is a failure.

"I thought it was better," Jackson said of involving Johnson. "Duke is a good football player. I have said it all along that he is. He will continue to make plays. That part was good. Have to continue to build on it."

To be clear, Johnson is ready yesterday to be used as a receiver. He wasn't used that way Sunday, on a day when four receivers were active and one of them, Rod Streater, went down with an injury on the day's first punt and didn't return.

The Chargers scored two touchdowns because Tyrell Williams hauled down contested throws in traffic, and the Browns missed their two early shots trying rookies who aren't ready while Johnson watched.

The Browns did put out a stat after the game that showed Johnson fifth in Browns history for most catches through five years of his career, with 202.

By season, that is: 61 catches, 53 catches, 74 catches ... and a pace this season for 37 catches.

Meanwhile, the Browns keep force-feeding Callaway, who still can't quite believe the role he's been forced into as a fourth-round flier from the 2018 NFL Draft.

Ever think you'd be counted on like this when you were drafted?

"Ahh, no," Callaway said.

So what do you do?

"Just do my job and don't try to do too much," he said.

Targeted five times in the first two weeks, Callaway has been targeted 35 times in the last four weeks.

On the season, here are the Browns leaders in targets in the pass game and their number of catches:

* Jarvis Landry 65 -- 31 catches

* David Njoku 46 -- 27 catches

* Callaway 40 -- 15 catches

* Johnson 22 -- 14 catches

* Rashard Higgins 22 -- 16 catches

* Carlos Hyde 10 -- 6 catches

Callaway has been used more often down the field, so his catch rate will be lower. Still, that's a lot of action in the last four weeks and a lot of missed connections.

One of those came in the end zone in the first quarter, when Callaway tracked a 40-yard deep ball from Mayfield but wound up running next to it and missing it as he reached out.

"I probably should have left my feet," Callaway said. "If I had left my feet and dove I would have caught it."

There were should-haves all over the field for the Browns. But don't look at the problems. Look at the Browns ignoring the solutions.

Rookie running back Nick Chubb is another player the Browns have talked about using more and haven't. Carlos Hyde entered the game second in the league in carries with 100 -- and 39th in yards per carry at 3.5. Chubb entered with 13 carries for 148 yards -- 11.4 yards per carry.

Hyde carried 14 times for 34 yards Sunday -- 2.4 average.

Chubb carried three times for 25 yards -- 8.3 average.

That doesn't mean Chubb should be the lead back. This doesn't mean Johnson should be the leading receiver.

This means that for an offense that is strapped, the coaches must do more problem-solving. Johnson and Chubb can help. Use them. Find a way. There's no other option.

"I do not have any excuses. That is the National Football League," Jackson said of being forced to play young receivers. "Next guy is up. We just have to take what we have, keep coaching and get better."

Fine. Next guy up. Just make sure the right guys are in line.

Landry, targeted nine times for two catches for 11 yards, needs more chances, regardless of what a defense is doing.

"We just have to find a way. Have to find a way," Jackson said. "Obviously, that is not good enough."

"He is the best receiver in the league in my opinion," Mayfield said. "I have to put the ball in better range for him."

The Browns also have to get their other playmakers in range.

The offense is in trouble with some skill players, and that's not the fault of the coaches. But if they don't use the right players to solve those problems, that is on them.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/topic/51303/use-of-players-on-offenseRSS for NodeFri, 02 Oct 2026 13:12:27 GMTSun, 14 Oct 2018 23:13:47 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Use of players on offense on Sat, 20 Oct 2018 18:23:36 GMT]]>

@atom said:

i meant to say I do not see the same production vs a DB

We should find ways to get him matched up against slower safety’s and linebackers

Being at the game Sunday, Duke was open out of the backfield a LOT. Just not getting the appropriate attention.

I’m sure it’s nothing some film watching can’t fix.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/822648https://brownsboard.com/post/822648Sat, 20 Oct 2018 18:23:36 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Use of players on offense on Sat, 20 Oct 2018 11:55:59 GMT]]> This thread's an interesting read in light of the Hyde trade.

@hx214 said:

O'neil was horrible too. I could never figure out why Mike let him run the defense into the ground when he was a defensive coach himself.

After the loss of Shanny Jr., Pet chose to focus on the offense and his new OC, Flipper.

As for O'Neil in OAK... I think a guy named Mack might have made him look a little better.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/822531https://brownsboard.com/post/822531Sat, 20 Oct 2018 11:55:59 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Use of players on offense on Fri, 19 Oct 2018 13:10:15 GMT]]>

Zombo said:

He's a terrific leader and a prolific pass receiver with disciplined routes and great hands.

He's not Randy Moss. He's Hines Ward. Nothing wrong with that.

Z

Hines Ward except he’s not a cheap shot artistHines Ward except he’s not a cheap shot artist

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/822278https://brownsboard.com/post/822278Fri, 19 Oct 2018 13:10:15 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Use of players on offense on Fri, 19 Oct 2018 03:53:15 GMT]]>

@londonbrown said:

The Browns have got a huge problem with him. He’s a catcher that doesn’t score TD’s nor stretch defenses and if things don’t go his way he moans and bitches about it.

He's a terrific leader and a prolific pass receiver with disciplined routes and great hands.

He's not Randy Moss. He's Hines Ward. Nothing wrong with that.

Z

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/822227https://brownsboard.com/post/822227Fri, 19 Oct 2018 03:53:15 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Use of players on offense on Fri, 19 Oct 2018 03:17:49 GMT]]>

@londonbrown said:

Nobody else wanted him. He caught a lot of balls which equalled nothing for the Dolphins the entire time he was there.

You don’t pay what we did for what he gives. We’ll get out of it when we can I am sure of that. 

Landry average is a first down every time he touches the ball that sounds pretty good tome

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/822214https://brownsboard.com/post/822214Fri, 19 Oct 2018 03:17:49 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Use of players on offense on Thu, 18 Oct 2018 23:42:56 GMT]]>

@mark-o said:

Some are saying he should be used as a WR and I have to agree with Zombo..it just won't work.  But what needs to happen is get him in situations like in the video you shared where he has a linebacker trying to keep up with him.

I think that’s understandable because we are down to the bare bones at the position. They have to be more creative with him Njoku and DeValve  

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/822152https://brownsboard.com/post/822152Thu, 18 Oct 2018 23:42:56 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Use of players on offense on Thu, 18 Oct 2018 23:41:12 GMT]]>

@londonbrown said:

Nobody is advocating him to be in a position to be covered by those positions though? Just get him involved somehow 

Some are saying he should be used as a WR and I have to agree with Zombo..it just won't work.  But what needs to happen is get him in situations like in the video you shared where he has a linebacker trying to keep up with him.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/822151https://brownsboard.com/post/822151Thu, 18 Oct 2018 23:41:12 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Use of players on offense on Thu, 18 Oct 2018 23:40:09 GMT]]>

@mark-o said:

Great catch and great throw...however, he's not being covered by a CB or even a S.  He has a linebacker on him who can't keep up with him which I believe has been mentioned here many times.

Nobody is advocating him to be in a position to be covered by those positions though? Just get him involved somehow 

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/822149https://brownsboard.com/post/822149Thu, 18 Oct 2018 23:40:09 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Use of players on offense on Thu, 18 Oct 2018 23:38:35 GMT]]>

@londonbrown said:

Thats the one 

Great catch and great throw...however, he's not being covered by a CB or even a S.  He has a linebacker on him who can't keep up with him which I believe has been mentioned here many times.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/822147https://brownsboard.com/post/822147Thu, 18 Oct 2018 23:38:35 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Use of players on offense on Thu, 18 Oct 2018 23:20:50 GMT]]>

Thats the one 

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/822141https://brownsboard.com/post/822141Thu, 18 Oct 2018 23:20:50 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Use of players on offense on Thu, 18 Oct 2018 23:17:22 GMT]]>

@clevfan4life said:

is that wut ur talking about? he's completely blanketed but made a great read on an absolute sht throw that may not have even been intended for him.

Look all props to duke, that catch is exactly why we'd like to see him get more work as a rec out of the backfield. Pls understand tho that he's not going to be terribly good at this on an every down basis. He didnt really terribly seperate himself from that coverage, u see that right?

No that’s not the one. It was a deep pass in the end zone he ran outside the corner and caught.

Anyway I’m baffled by this argument, it’s like people are looking for reasons to keep him off the field 

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/822140https://brownsboard.com/post/822140Thu, 18 Oct 2018 23:17:22 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Use of players on offense on Thu, 18 Oct 2018 23:15:22 GMT]]> all that video made me do is be thankful noodle arm hogan isnt our backup anymore

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/822138https://brownsboard.com/post/822138Thu, 18 Oct 2018 23:15:22 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Use of players on offense on Thu, 18 Oct 2018 23:13:45 GMT]]>

@londonbrown said:

Lol you didn’t see Dukes TD in San Diego the other year then? 

@londonbrown said:

Edit - it may have been Baltimore 

is that wut ur talking about? he's completely blanketed but made a great read on an absolute sht throw that may not have even been intended for him.

Look all props to duke, that catch is exactly why we'd like to see him get more work as a rec out of the backfield. Pls understand tho that he's not going to be terribly good at this on an every down basis. He didnt really terribly seperate himself from that coverage, u see that right?

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/822136https://brownsboard.com/post/822136Thu, 18 Oct 2018 23:13:45 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Use of players on offense on Thu, 18 Oct 2018 22:47:16 GMT]]>

@londonbrown said:

The Browns have got a huge problem with him. He’s a catcher that doesn’t score TD’s nor stretch defenses and if things don’t go his way he moans and bitches about it.

he's got a knee issue & has not bitched or moaned 1 time about it..there's a video at camp of a double move outside on Mitchell that Todd has not dialed up yet..maybe it's on the books for this week..the all 22 makes be think it's his right knee? 

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/822124https://brownsboard.com/post/822124Thu, 18 Oct 2018 22:47:16 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Use of players on offense on Thu, 18 Oct 2018 22:31:47 GMT]]> Edit - it may have been Baltimore 

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/822121https://brownsboard.com/post/822121Thu, 18 Oct 2018 22:31:47 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Use of players on offense on Thu, 18 Oct 2018 22:30:23 GMT]]>

@clevfan4life said:

u think that might be because he's being covered by a LB'er or a safety and not one of the 1st string DB's?

i mean, if u can show me a clip of him getting open in man coverage by one of the DB's........

Lol you didn’t see Dukes TD in San Diego the other year then? 

Google it yourself it’s not for me to validate your opinion 

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/822120https://brownsboard.com/post/822120Thu, 18 Oct 2018 22:30:23 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Use of players on offense on Thu, 18 Oct 2018 22:28:33 GMT]]>

Zombo said:

You got a problem with Jarvis Landry? No, I think he's great at what he does, as the other guys get better that will free up Landry to do what he does.

Zombo

The Browns have got a huge problem with him. He’s a catcher that doesn’t score TD’s nor stretch defenses and if things don’t go his way he moans and bitches about it.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/822119https://brownsboard.com/post/822119Thu, 18 Oct 2018 22:28:33 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Use of players on offense on Thu, 18 Oct 2018 22:26:04 GMT]]> I would also like to see them put all three back on the field at the same time and run some rpo’s inside counter and wheel routs 

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/822117https://brownsboard.com/post/822117Thu, 18 Oct 2018 22:26:04 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Use of players on offense on Thu, 18 Oct 2018 22:23:48 GMT]]> The thing I don’t get is the lack of middle screens to stop the pass rush.  I would like to see duke used like Edelman is in New England. Also the short and deep outs Baker excelled at at ou.  Not only would that help Calloway get his confidence back but open the seam for Njoku 

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/822116https://brownsboard.com/post/822116Thu, 18 Oct 2018 22:23:48 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Use of players on offense on Thu, 18 Oct 2018 22:22:55 GMT]]> i agree that chubb is stealing too many if dukes touches. If i were Haley id start winding down hydes touches in favor of chubb for a few weeks...let hyde recover and then start winding his touches up as chubb gets dialed back. Thats how u preserve two bell cows in case of accidental late season relevance. 

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/822113https://brownsboard.com/post/822113Thu, 18 Oct 2018 22:22:55 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Use of players on offense on Thu, 18 Oct 2018 22:23:39 GMT]]>

Zombo said:

Duke Johnson is not a wide receiver.

He is 5'9, 210 and runs a 4.54. Every cornerback in the league could cover him if he lined up wide. Too short and stocky to be a wideout.

Duke's talent is running in space with the ball. He's elusive and strong. And sure-handed. He's ideal as an outlet guy. Get him on a linebacker and he will win that race. Think Darren Sproles, Giovani Bernard, etc ... that is the best use of Duke Johnson.

My neighbor is a bears fan..He compares Hyde/Duke to Jordan Howard/Tarik Cohen..as a 2 man rotation..My issue with him is, we try to have a 3 man rotation getting N.Chubb some touches with Haley..Right now Cohen has played 1 less game (5). Cohens touches are 32-R/170y/5.3ypc/1td/21 rec./259y/12.3/catch/1 rec.td...Duke in 6 games 19R/111y/5.8ypc/0 td/14 rec/164y/11.7/catch/1 td..Matt Nagy's OC is Mark Helfrich..I'd say Haley has been fairly balanced, but Chubb 'is' stealing some of Dukes carries with a ypc very similar..Duke needs to see more passing targets though, not only on 3rd down   

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/822108https://brownsboard.com/post/822108Thu, 18 Oct 2018 22:23:39 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Use of players on offense on Thu, 18 Oct 2018 21:15:40 GMT]]> damn i need a bath,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,no really i was spraying blackberries at the rental next time im calling the mexicans

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/822100https://brownsboard.com/post/822100Thu, 18 Oct 2018 21:15:40 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Use of players on offense on Thu, 18 Oct 2018 20:43:55 GMT]]> that being said i have no issues with certain schemes that move him from slot to RB and back again on the fly....that could throw some confusion around and possibly generate personnel mismatches. I dunno. But as a rule Duke should be thrown to out of the backfield or thrown up at the line as an extra rec but not without jarvis up there too. Otherwise the guy normally covering jarvis just covers duke.

the point of moving duke around is to.get a mismatch covering him

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/822091https://brownsboard.com/post/822091Thu, 18 Oct 2018 20:43:55 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Use of players on offense on Thu, 18 Oct 2018 20:40:01 GMT]]>

@londonbrown said:

As for Duke I’ve seen him do more on the outside and with the ball in his hands than Landry has ever done. 

u think that might be because he's being covered by a LB'er or a safety and not one of the 1st string DB's?

i mean, if u can show me a clip of him getting open in man coverage by one of the DB's........

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/822090https://brownsboard.com/post/822090Thu, 18 Oct 2018 20:40:01 GMT