Is Isaiah Crowell taking it easy in order to get a rich free agent contract next season? That thought has been voiced in our friendly "Browns Bloggers and Friends" group (look me up on Facebook if you want to get added). Certainly Isaiah's numbers are down after a very impressive 2016 campaign in which he gained almost 1000 yards despite playing behind an underperforming offensive line.
Currently, he is ranked #47 by Pro Football Focus. Remembering there are 32 teams in the NFL, that means he is about average for a second string running back.
Okay, you see where I'm going with this. There will not be a big payday waiting for a guy who performs at the second string level. Maybe a million dollars, or twice the NFL minimum. But nothing big, nothing unaffordable should the Browns decide to keep him. They may not need him as they have Duke Johnson (ranked 14th in the NFL, which is rather good) plus a flock of 2018 draft picks. Rookie running backs are usually pretty good, unlike rookie quarterbacks. So if Crowell wants a big free agent contract he's lost most of his value as of Game 5 in the 2017 season.
Browns management may be tanking, but Isaiah Crowell is not.
Browns management may be tanking, but Isaiah Crowell is not.
My take is that the Browns have a dysfunctional offense. With a rotating door at quarterback and no wide receivers of any consequence right now, opposing defenses are free to key on the running game. The passing game can not harm them. That's one reason why they are able to limit Crowell.
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