Browns might look Wright
Jeff Walcoff, Staff Writer
06.06.2007
With the absence of Jamal Lewis from OTAs Tuesday due to a problem with one of the running back's teeth, the bulk of the first-team reps went to veteran back Jason Wright.
It was a stark contrast from last year in training camp when Wright was the fifth running back out of six -- sitting behind Reuben Droughns, Lee Suggs, William Green and even rookie Jerome Harrison.
A year later, Droughns, Suggs, and Green are gone and Wright has moved ahead of Harrison, whose still acclimating himself to the offense after a quiet rookie campaign.
Now, Wright is penciled in as the team's back-up running back for the '07 season behind Lewis, despite having rushed for just 226 yards and a touchdown on 76 carries during his NFL career.
But the 5-foot-10, 210-pound back from Northwestern is hoping this is the year he solidifies himself as areliable contributor in the NFL and silences critics who say the Browns need to go out and get another veteran back before the start of the season.
"I just want to be here and help just like I did last year," Wright said. "This year is really the same thing for me mentally: when I'm called on to step in and play I'm just going to try and give them my best.
While Wright's contributions in the league have been small to this point, he did make significant strides last season to make himself noticed.
In 2006, he rushed for 189 yards on 62 carries, adding 82 yards on 6 receptions and 6 special teams tackles.
Wright rushed 18 times for 74 yards, nearly leading the Browns to an upset victory over the Pittsburgh Steelersin November.
During a 31-28 overtime win against the Kansas City Chiefs on Dec. 3, Wright rushed 11 times for 25 yards and caught 2 passes for 70 yards, including a 54-yard reception on a shovel pass from Derek Anderson that led to a Browns touchdown during the fourth quarter. A 16-yard reception during the second quarter by Wright took the Browns to the Kansas City 1 and led to a Reuben Droughns score.
The Browns thought enough of Wright at the end of the '06 season to sign him to a one-year contract extension, securing his services through the '08 season. It was a change for the back, who spent time on and off with San Francisco and Atlanta before landing in Cleveland as a free agent in Sept. 2005.
Before the 2006 season, his career had included nearly as many trips to the practice squad as games played.
"It feels real good," Wright said of the team's commitment to him. "It's really the first time in my career that I've been on a team that wanted me around so it's a great feeling. And it pulls out of me even more. I always give my best but there's something about being in that mutual relationship where they want you to be here and you want to be here."
But the time for appreciation is long over. Now, Wright has to live up to the deal between he and the Browns and show he's capable of filling the role as a serviceable backup running back in the NFL.
The mission starts with learning the team's new offense under coordinator Rob Chudzinski. Luckily, Wright's no dummy. He's a Northwestern alum who scored in the 92nd percentile in the MCATs before deciding medical school was not in his future.
Even with his educated background, he's still finding the new offense challenging.
"It takes a lot of studying," Wright said. "There's a lot to this offense compared to last year. It takes a lot of study time, but as we study and press on it we'll get comfortable and we'll be able to get out and play."
Lighting a fire under Wright, certainly, is the knowledge that he's not learning this offense for nothing. Rather than simply being a contributor on special teams, Wright will likely be depended upon to help the team's offense and to spell Lewis throughout the season.
While the responsibilities are no different, there is a welcome new payoff for the Diamond Bar, Calif. native in the form of probable playing time.
"It's great when you know you're going to play," he said. "It ups your preparation level and your expectations, but even when you're low on the depth chart you really have to think that way anyway.
"It's a great feeling because I like to play and I've been productive so I want to build on that."
Jason Wright at OTAs
