x
Breaking News
More () »

Stopping Broncos RB Phillip Lindsay key to Browns' defensive strategy

Denver Broncos rookie running Phillip Lindsay will give the Cleveland Browns' defense with a stern test at Broncos Stadium at Mile High in Denver tonight.
Credit: Jake Roth
Denver Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay (30) sprints around a tackle attempt from Los Angeles Chargers defensive end Damion Square (71) at StubHub Center in Carson, California.

Seven months ago, Phillip Lindsay was an undrafted rookie running back just trying to make the Denver Broncos’ roster, and now, as the team remains in the hunt for the postseason, he has become an integral part of the team.

Lindsay has proven to be a difference maker when it comes to rushing and catching out of the backfield, and also, on special teams, and the Cleveland Browns expect him to be at his best in tonight’s game in Broncos Stadium at Mile High in Denver.

“He has really good vision,” Browns interim coach Gregg Williams said. “We emphasized that a lot here in the meetings and some of the film that we have shown on him and some of the situational things that we are teaching.

“You can have everything stoned up pretty well, and he can find the one person. There were several of examples last week and the weeks before where the defenses were pretty gap sound, and he has enough vision to press it to the one leak or one area. Then, he has the speed and the open-field burst to make chunk plays. I think his vision is very good.”

Credit: Stan Szeto
Denver Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay (30) shakes off a tackle attempt from San Francisco 49ers defensive end Ronald Blair (98) during the second quarter at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

Despite sharing the workload with Royce Freeman in the early part of the season, Lindsay has emerged as one of the Broncos’ best playmakers on offense.

On 168 attempts, Lindsay has rushed for 967 yards and nine touchdowns with 46 first downs. Additionally, Lindsay has broken off eight 20-yard runs and three 40-yard rushes.

Also, Lindsay has turned 29 catches into 210 yards and one touchdown, all while averaging 23.3 yards per kickoff return and 7.7 yards per punt return.

“He is explosive,” Browns linebacker Joe Schobert said. “He is a small guy, but he is fourth in the NFL in rushing. He has obviously been effective, and he has great burst of speed and acceleration. He has hit a couple of home runs for them this year, so always have to be aware of where he is at.

“He bounces and uses his speed to get to the edge, but he also has a good one-cut slash type of runner. If someone gets out of a gap and he sees an opening, he has good vision. He will plant his foot and take it right through there. With his acceleration, he can go through the line real fast.”

Credit: Stan Szeto
Denver Broncos running back Phillip Lindsay (30) runs the ball in for a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the third quarter at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

With 33 yards against the Browns, Lindsay would become just the third undrafted free agent in NFL history to rush for 1,000 yards in his rookie season.

Because of Lindsay’s impressive rookie resume, the Browns are placing a heavy emphasis on stopping the run.

“It is not saying anything about the other facets of the game, but they thrive very well on that and they have had some very good success doing that,” Williams said. “Defensively, if you don’t start there, then it is hard to play any other place. It is typically each and every week there, but some weeks more than others.”

Defensive back T.J. Carrie added, “The play-action pass, the boot-legs, all of those things are determined off of the run game. They have been very excellent and have excelled with giving him the ball in different positions, creating separation from the linebacker and front four and really allow him to work out in space. That is going to be definitely a big key to the game.”

Before You Leave, Check This Out