Cleveland Browns RB Chris Ogbonnaya Odd Guy Out Now That Peyton Hillis and Montario Hardesty Are Getting Healthy

Saturday, November 26, 2011

ClevelandBrowns.com

By Daniel Wolf
Senior Writer

The Cleveland Browns suddenly have a good problem with running backs Peyton Hillis and Montario Hardesty back in the fold on offense against the Cincinnati Bengals.

***UPDATE: Both Hillis and Hardesty are active against Cincy, but Hardesty is reportedly not feeling well during warmups and might not get many reps.***

Unfortunately, the odd man out may also be the most mature of all three combined. Backup rusher Chris Ogbonnaya has gone from a starting running back, who has racked up over 200 yards in the past two weeks, to a possible third-stringer in the last few days.

Related: Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Cleveland Browns: Chris Ogbonnaya Emerging, Defense Holds at Goal Line in Browns Win

Initially, Hillis was said to be out against Cincy, but all of a sudden he is being called a game-time decision to play. Hardesty has been working his way back from a calf injury and looks to be ready to play this Sunday too, he too could start over Ogbonnaya.

In a Friday afternoon press conference, Browns head coach Pat Shurmur spoke about how Ogbonnaya is taking the news of the other backs getting ready to take his reps away.

"I think he’s very mature in his approach and he understands that he’s going to take advantage of every opportunity he has as long as the opportunities present themselves," Shurmur said.

Shurmur still has confidence in Ogbonnaya, when he calls his number to get into the game.

"I think the one thing he has done is he’s had more opportunity here to show what he can do and he’s made great use of it," Shurmur said. "I’ve learned something about him, I’ve learned that he can do it and I think that’s reassuring to me when we put him on the field."

The Browns coach also sees many pluses in Ogbonnaya's game, now that he has had his opportunity to get many carries on game days.

"He’s got good speed and good quickness," Shurmur said. "I think he finds a way to get the yards that are there and he’s actually broken a couple tackles the last couple weeks, he knows where the runs fit and he hits them and I think that’s important.

"He has some vision as a runner and then he knows who to block in pass protection and that’s extremely important as it relates to the quarterback in the passing game and I do think he has good hands."

Even though Ogbonnaya may be the odd man out, when it comes to carries, but he does provide better depth at the position than the Browns had when they started this season.

No one knows what lies ahead for the Browns' running back group, but at least Ogbonnaya seems level-headed and knows his role on the team, which could keep him in Cleveland beyond the 2011 season.


Follow National Football Authority on Twitter: @NFAuthority & @DanielWolfNFL
For more NFL coverage, follow @NFA_NFL
Don't forget to Like NFA on Facebook here.


More stories on the Cleveland Browns:


Cleveland Browns vs. Cincinnati Bengals Preview: A.J. Green Not Impressed By Joe Haden, Peyton Hillis Game Time Decision

Cleveland Browns Head Coach Pat Shurmur: "We're Going to Find Out How Good We Are"

Cleveland Browns Offensive Line Problems Analyzed