The Cleveland Browns have begun implementing the wildcat formation.
Against the Las Vegas Raiders, the Browns’ offense used Quinshon Judkins as the wildcat in the red zone. It was a new part of Cleveland’s offense, which Browns offensive coordinator Tommy Rees felt like was the right time to really start using it.
“I think we had it up a few weeks ago, going into the Miami game,” Rees said on Friday. “Just felt like we could gain an extra gap in the run game, gain an extra hat in certain places, makes you really defend in the run-specific looks. All 11, without giving up too much of the schematics of it, like there are some real advantages to it. Q has, you know, comfort in doing it and somebody we trust doing it. And you can kind of define the look you’re going to get to attack.
“Obviously, we’ve had a lot of success here in two small sample sizes of games, but we’ve scored four touchdowns and had some productive runs in the package. Our fullback was unavailable there throughout the game. So, that takes you out of certain personnel groupings. So that’s kind of -Wildcat’s, another one you can use in those run-heavy situations. We don’t use it every week. But it’s something we work on and have in our arsenal and have a lot of confidence in that group of guys making those plays work and you can define the looks that you’re trying to attack.”
Judkins rushed for an eight-yard touchdown for the Browns in the Wildcat formation against the Raiders.
Browns Running Game Having Success
With the Browns having Shedeur Sanders at quarterback, the running game has been a key part of the offense.
Rookies Judkins and Dylan Sampson have become a one-two punch for the Browns offense, which Rees will look to build on against the 49ers.
“I do feel like both of them have enough versatility to their game,” Rees said. “We’ve said it for a while. Like, there’s not a call on the call sheet where I would be worried if Q or Samp are in, like, let them both roll and, you know, we try to make a concerted effort to get Samp more involved as the year’s gone on. …
“Everybody’s talked about Q all year and rightfully so, he’s played really well for us and he’s definitely a guy that our offense runs through. Like you have guys that you try to get involved, our offense really is running through Q. And then Samp becomes a great complementary piece to that and somebody that can have his role in his own right.”
Judkins rushed for 47 yards and two touchdowns last week, while Sampson rushed for 23 yards.
Cleveland Preparing for ‘Huge Challenge’ of 49ers
The Browns are coming off a road win over the Raiders, but will have their hands full on Sunday against the 49ers.
Heading into the game, Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski knows it will be a tough challenge, but he’s eager for the game.
“Good work week, going into this weekend,” Stefanski said. “Like we talked about, there’s a huge challenge facing this team and the scheme that they have and the players that they have. So, we got to really be about our business. You got to play your best in a game like this. So, with that, I’ll take any questions.”
Cleveland is a 5.5-point home underdog to the 49ers.
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