Rookie Terrance West was benched for the rest of the game after he gained just 1 yard on second-and-2 from the Jaguars’ 25-yard line and was then stopped for no gain on third-and-1 from the 24 late in the second quarter.
Instead of calling for a 42-yard field goal attempt, Pettine gambled on fourth-and-1, quarterback Brian Hoyer threw incomplete under pressure and the Jaguars responded with a three-play, 76-yard touchdown drive to capture a 7-6 halftime lead. They never trailed again.
West had room to run for a first down on both crucial carries. On second down, he had an opening off the right edge but danced in the hole. On third down, he ran into center John Greco after cutting back. West estimated he would have advanced 7 yards beyond the first-down marker had he not hesitated and collided with Greco.
The Browns said they are going to re-evaluate the use of their three-back system, and it may be West who gets to watch a little more from the sideline after not hitting the hole against the Jags. Ben Tate seems to be the guy to own here, but the presence of West and Isaiah Crowell could cap his value as anything more than a flex play. The hope is this situation plays itself out, but the reality is we may hear a lot of talk about committees and hot hands.
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