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Browns' Backfield Hopefuls Pushed to the Limit in Grueling Drills
31 Jul
Summary
- Running backs coach Duce Staley's intense resistance band and sandbag drills leave players "crying" in pain
- Unsigned rookie Quinshon Judkins' absence creates more opportunities for other running backs
- Undrafted rookie Ahmani Marshall trying to earn a roster spot in crowded backfield
As the Cleveland Browns enter their sixth training camp practice under head coach Kevin Stefanski, the team's running back situation remains a work in progress. Running backs coach Duce Staley has been putting the players through a series of grueling drills, including resistance band exercises with 20-pound weighted footballs and a sandbag drill that has the runners carrying 35-pound sandbags for short-area footwork.
The intensity of these workouts has left the players "crying a bit" and with sore arms, according to Staley. The Browns' backfield is currently led by veterans Jerome Ford and Pierre Strong Jr., but the absence of second-round pick Quinshon Judkins, who remains unsigned and away from the team following a July 12th arrest, has created more opportunities for others.
Undrafted rookie Ahmani Marshall, listed at 225 pounds, is trying to prove he deserves a chance to stick on the roster. The Browns have been rotating their offensive skill players during camp practices, with Ford, Dylan Sampson, and others getting reps with the first-team offense. The team is emphasizing communication and physical play as they prepare for the upcoming season in the AFC North.
Despite the uncertainty, the players remain focused on the task at hand. "Everybody shows up ready to work," Sampson said. "No days off with Duce and no days off for any of us pushing each other." As the Browns continue to install their offense, the competition for roles in the running game will likely intensify in the coming weeks.
