Hunt ‘runs like a wild man’ for Browns
BEREA — Kareem Hunt ran like a man possessed Sunday against the Chicago Bears, with quarterback Baker Mayfield noting after the Browns' 26-6 victory that the running back seemed “angrier than usual.”
On Wednesday, Mayfield pulled a comparison for Hunt out of the Warner Bros. Looney Tunes cartoon archives.
“Runs like the Tasmanian Devil,” Mayfield said. “It's like his upper body is leaning one way, his lower body ... his balance is outstanding. It's something that very few people are blessed with.
“We're lucky and blessed to have those two guys in our backfield.”
Told of Mayfield's "devil" remark, running back Nick Chubb agreed and said, “Kareem, he runs like a wild man, like he doesn't care about his body at all. He just runs it up, sticks it up, in there, takes hits, bounces off of hits. He's just a special player.”
Chubb also saw the angry streak as Hunt totaled 155 combined yards rushing and receiving against the Bears, along with a punishing 29-yard touchdown.
“Yeah, he was pretty mad Sunday. I think we all saw that,” Chubb said.
Chubb said he didn't know the source of those feelings.
“He just wants to win. He's passionate,” Chubb said.
The Browns rank second in the league in rushing (174.7 yards per game) and their 5.14 yards per carry average is third.
Their eight rushing touchdowns lead the NFL, and they are tied for first with 31 rushing first downs.
Chubb leads the Browns with 262 rushing yards (5.5 average) and three touchdowns, while Hunt is second with 165 yards (5.7 average) and two scores. But Hunt is also tied for the Browns' receiving lead with 10 catches for 104 yards (10.4). Tight end Austin Hooper has 10 catches for 86 yards (8.6) and one TD.
Chubb said Hunt's attitude gets the Browns offense going. But Mayfield said if the stoic Chubb gets more juice from an angry Hunt, he doesn't show it.
“Whether there's a meteor shower outside or sunshine and rainbows, he's going to be the same guy every day,” Mayfield said. “But that's what we love about him.”