5 Running Back Training Camp Battles to Watch This Offseason

Cleveland Browns

When it comes to the running game, the Browns' new offensive coordinator John DeFilippo is a throwback to an era when a single lead back would dominate the touches coming out of the backfield. In opposition to the committee approach that has found its way into nearly every NFL team's game plans, DeFilippo has stated that he instead prefers to rely on the hot-hand approach.

So despite the presence of three capable backs in Isaiah Crowell, Terrance West, and now rookie Duke Johnson, it sounds as if only one of these backs will be featured at a time. So what does DeFilippo look for in a workhorse back?

Based on comments by the former Raiders coach earlier this offseason, he's looking for a player that can contribute in the passing game stating, "Let's see if they can catch the ball, run a slant, run a hitch, run a go, run a comeback. I want to see if those guys can do those things because that's going to be a big part of the offense that I want to incorporate here."

And, no offense, but when Dwayne Bowe is your primary wideout, and your quarterback is Josh McCown, perhaps drawing up short passing plays to your talented backs in the hopes that they can work some magic after the catch is your best bet to move the chains.

Johnson just may be this team's most natural receiver out of the backfield, giving him the edge on the second-year tailbacks on this team to see significant playing time. However, with Crowell's strong running between the tackles and in the red zone -- he scored 7 touchdowns on just 15 attempts within the opponent's 20 -- he won't be ceding his touches to the Miami Hurricanes' all-time leading rusher without a fight.