I think Darrin Hall is as talented as any back in this class (and there are a lot of good ones). He's really improved over his college career and seemed to have a bit of a breakout season last year. He seemed to be more dynamic than he showed in 2017. 5'11 225, so he's got a lot of power as a runner. Great vision, a nice second gear. Would be a really nice backup/spell back for Nick Chubb.
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Nice find Chill.
I agree that Darren would find a place in the Browns backfield. I think he is a bigger version of Duke Johnson, one that could absorb the tackle to tackle punishment better. He would be a perfect back to bring in when Chubb needs a blow.
I will disagree with your observation about Hall's second gear, What I saw was a back who is consistently at top speed in the first two or three steps of his run. Which means he hits the hole with authority - as long as it is the right hole. Chubb will seek and search out the hole - then Nick kicks in the turbojets. His second gear I would have to rate as elite - one of the best I have ever seen.
I really like what Dontrell Hilliard did last year. I Darren did make in to Berea, that would be one of the more interesting training camp battles.
I'm beginning to worry about Duke's long term prospects. I think we should move him to receiver full time. He just is so inconsistent out of the backfield.
I think Hall's second gear shows up on some of his longer runs, particularly the ones from last year. His game definitely improved, as he was kind of an afterthought before the season started.
I think a guy like him or Mike Weber would be a really nice option behind Chubb. Seeing the Rams using Gurley and Anderson the way they do shows why you need a few solid backs. Hilliard could be that guy too, but if we do phase out Duke in the backfield, which is what seems to have happened over the past few seasons, he could be a valuable pass catching back.
Welcome to Cleveland!
oops - didn't realize you had featured him earlier Chill. I made some comments on him in the UDFA thread.