This and that

Random thoughts . . . 

The first time I saw Kareem Hunt run the football for the Browns, my first thought was he is as good as Nick Chubb. Maybe even better.

That seemed ludicrous, I also reasoned, because Chubb is clearly one of a small number of truly elite running backs in the National Football League. Yes, Hunt won the league rushing title as a rookie with Kansas City, but he knows his place in Cleveland. It's behind Chubb on the depth chart.

So when running backs coach Stump Mitchell the other day pretty much placed Chubb and Hunt on the same level in many ways, it was gratifying to hear someone with much greater knowledge agree with the initial assessment.

Both men are physical at the point of attack. Hunt is a slasher. Has a quicker change of direction. Chubb is a pounder. He doesn't seek contact, but has more trouble avoiding it. Both are fast and extremely difficult to bring down. 

Mitchell, however, leans toward Hunt with regard to potential. "You have not all seen the best of Kareem Hunt," he said. "By any stretch of the imagination. . . . He can be the best back in the league." Whoa! High praise, indeed. All the Greater Cleveland native needs, his coach said, is patience.

"Because of the type of player he is, he is aggressive. He just needs to be a little more patient and then he can be the best in the league. . . . He doesn't give his offensive linemen an opportunity sometimes to make blocks because he cuts too fast. . . . I've got to teach him to be a little more patient."

One can only imagine how lethal the Cleveland running game can be if head coach Kevin Stefanski employs both in the huddle on a regular basis. Recent history shows that is not likely going to be the case. An exception would be with Hunt lined up in the slot as a receiver.

Mitchell needs to lobby a little harder with his boss to pair Chubb and Hunt on a regular basis, especially with Deshaun Watson sidelined for who knows how long. Stefanski seems to be leaning toward employing a ground-heavy attack with Jacoby Brissett at quarterback.

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I know it's only one exhibition game, hut if the Cleveland front office is not worried about the wide receivers room, something is wrong. At the risk of sounding repetitious, that room outside of veteran Amari Cooper is barren of the kind of talent required for this team.

There is no clear WR2. The wildly inconsistent Donovan Peoples-Jones is widely regarded as the favorite with rookie David Bell, supposedly recovered from a stress fracture in a foot, ready to challenge. But Bell is strictly a slot receiver. Where's the speed?

Anthony Schwartz provides it, but seems to be allergic to what he's paid to do -- catch the football. But he sure is fast. Ja'Marcus Bradley keeps hanging on. Michael Woods II and Mike Harley Jr. can't stay healthy. The jury is out on tall and slender Javon Wims.

Free agent Daylen Baldwin caught my eye in the Jacksonville pre -- oops, exhibition -- victory last weekend. He caught only three passes (on three targets) and all three resulted in first downs. The fact he caught all three gives him, at least in these eyes, a leg up on Schwartz.

General Manager Andrew Berry will see soon enough that he had better upgrade that room. A few free agents remain on the street. One can only guess what direction he'll head. He might be waiting for the final roster trims later this month for that upgrade because Watson will need it when (if?) he returns.

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Watson couldn't have been any worse than he was in the Jacksonville victory. Time to watch how Stefanski covers for his new quarterback. He has already started with Watson regarding missed opportunities, this time with two of his five attempts.

At times during the season, you will hear him suggest his quarterback (whoever that is) "would like to have that throw back" when disaster strikes. It was reminiscent of how he covered for Baker Mayfield when he struggled, particularly in the second half of last season. 

It is also somewhat amusing to hear how much better Watson looked in training camp a few days after Jacksonville. How relaxed and accurate he looked. Of course, he was throwing to receivers in designed-route drills with no one pressuring him.

That said, I come from the school that vastly overrates practices to begin with. Most coaches believe you play as you practice. Respectfully disagree. Good practices do not necessarily foretell good performances in games. I much prefer a player who plays better in games than in practice.

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A personal note: Family matters will keep me away from this blog for a couple of weeks. I expect to return by the time final roster trims have been made.