Cleveland Browns sign Jamaine Cook to help running back depth

by BOB FINNAN ...Morning Journal

Tuesday, Aug 20, 2013 9:17 am

BEREA — The tattoo on Browns running back Jamaine Cook’s right arm reads, “Humble and Hungry.”

It sums up his outlook on life.

The Browns re-signed Cook on Sunday to help fill a hole created by injuries to Dion Lewis and Montario Hardesty.

Defensive back Kenronte Walker was waived to create a roster spot for Cook, who was cut by the Browns on May 21.

“It feels good to be back,” Cook said. “I’ve been training and working hard all summer. This summer humbled me.”

The 5-foot-9, 210-pounder played at nearby Midpark High School, about a 5-minute drive from the Browns facility.

Cook just moved all his belongings to Youngstown State, where he was planning to finish his accounting degree.

He finished second in Youngstown State history with 4,052 career rushing yards and 39 rushing touchdowns. He totaled more than 1,200 rushing yards and at least 11 rushing TDs in each of his three seasons as a starter for the Penguins.

The Browns are thin at running back because Hardesty is recovering from arthroscopic knee surgery and Lewis is facing surgery to repair a fractured left fibula.

Lewis will be missed

Lewis, who broke his leg in last Thursday’s preseason game against the Lions, will be difficult to replace. They don’t have anyone that can do what he does on the field.

“It was disappointing because Dion has come in here and really worked hard, worked hard at catching the ball (and) worked hard at his pass protection,” Browns offensive coordinator Norv Turner said. “He’s a guy that I think was going to give us some big plays.”

There are some who think Lewis will miss the rest of the season. Turner said he isn’t sure.

“We have guys who can handle that role,” Turner said. “I don’t know if we have a guy like Dion, but we have guys that can be pass protectors, that can catch the ball coming out of the backfield. Ultimately, you’d like Trent (Richardson) to have some of that role, particularly in two-minute situations, end-of-the-game situations.”

Turner doesn’t like the idea of his best player being on the sidelines on third down.

“We can’t wear Trent out, but we have to be able to use him in some of those situations,” he said.

The Browns will have to take a closer look at Brandon Jackson with Lewis out of the picture. Chris Ogbonnaya and Jackson will compete for the No. 2 running back job behind Richardson. Ogbonnaya is also getting reps at fullback.

“We can’t have (Ogbonnaya) blocking 270-pound linebackers,” Turner said. “We just have to be smart in terms of how we use him and game plan with him.

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