Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Rob Ryan talked to the press Friday afternoon about several things, including the running backs on the Kansas City Chiefs. Here is how Ryan views the tandem of veteran Thomas Jones and youngster Jamaal Charles:
(On the different styles of Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones) — “They are different styles. Thomas Jones is a grinder. I think he got about 1,400 yards rushing last year and is a super football player and a great veteran. He’s been in the league a long time and he’s always been effective. Then you got this Charles, this homerun hitter, who we were talking today that (Usain) Bolt guy might be faster but that might be about it. This guy can run, unfortunately we saw this guy to it to us last year. Is he the toughest guy in the world to pick up blitzes and things? I don’t know, I hope to find out. I know one thing he can run with that football, and he’s a weapon.”
(On needing to set an edge because of Jamaal Charles) — “The big thing with (Jamaal) Charles is he sets his own edge a lot of times. Guys will set an initial edge and he’ll actually go underneath him and back outside. That’s a very difficult thing to do you can’t simulate it in practice. He’s unique, I don’t see many guys doing that on Sunday’s and I’ve seen a lot of them. I’ll tell you what, that guy he really does a nice job.”
Ryan has good reason to praise Charles. Charles ran for 154 yards on 25 carries against the Browns last season. Over his final four games of the season, he averaged 164.5 yards a game.