Browns Terrance West first rookie to hit 100 yard mark in 2014

Despite being the sixth running back taken in the 2014 NFL Draft and the 94th pick overall, Cleveland Browns rookie Terrance West was the first of the class to hit the 100 yard mark in a game.  The week’s slate of games is not quite over, but it looks like West will be the only rookie back to make it the first week of the season.  West had a big game in no small part due to fellow rookie and second round pick Joel Bitonio playing left guard.

West was expected to contribute and get opportunities, but Ben Tate was slated to lead the way.  Tate left the game with a knee injury sustained on a 25 yard run that ended his day at 6 carries for 41 yards and West got a heavier workload.

West showcased his impressive quickness and footwork in addition to his strength and power.  He was able to lower his shoulder and run over some of the opposing Pittsburgh Steelers as well as use speed to get away from them.  On the day, West carried the ball 16 times to get his 100 yards including a big 29 yard run.  If West can eliminate some false steps and get more efficient in his movements, which should come with time and experience, he should only get better.

West was not the only productive rookie back for the Browns as undrafted free agent Isaiah Crowell was also productive as he stepped in when Tate left the game.  West and Crowell formed an impressive duo that was extremely productive in the second half.  Crowell only had 5 carries, but he had 32 yards and scored two touchdowns.  The pair of West and Crowell were able to be a big part in 24 unanswered points in the second half by the Browns, though the team fell short as they lost to the Steelers 30-27.

Last year, the Cleveland Browns’ leading rusher was Willis McGahee.  McGahee was awful, averaging just 2.7 yards per carry and had all of 377 yards for the entire season.  West is already a quarter of the way to that mark in just one game.  The team ran for a 27th ranked 1,383 yards in 2013.  Against the Steelers, the team was able to run for 183 yards.

The Browns committed to running the football and improving that area of the game over the offseason.  West had an impressive debut while Bitonio and Crowell were able to help the team as well, so the early returns on the efforts to improve that part of the game look promising.