The Cleveland Browns' crowded backfield just got one man smaller. The team was benefitting from having a three-headed rushing attack with a veteran and two rookies, but if the Internet has taught people anything it is that too many cooks spoil the broth and the Browns opted to take one player out of the equation. Ben Tate has officially been released into free agency, leaving Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West to battle for the starting spot.
The Browns announced Tuesday that they were releasing Tate despite having signed him to a two-year deal in free agency. The running back was originally signed to be the starter and workhorse for the offense, but a knee injury knocked him down a few pegs in the rotation while he missed several weeks to heal. Upon his return, both West and Crowell had proved themselves as capable starters, making Tate expendable.
ESPN's Bob Holtzman reported that the move to release Tate was purely football releated and not due to his recent comments regarding his displeasure for the running back rotation. The Browns feel very confident in West and Crowell to maintain a balanced offense through the remainder of the season after both looking improved in the last few games, but who will get named the starter?
The Browns opted to start Crowell over West last week and the rookie repaid the team by having a costly fumble that many believe was a turning point for the Houston Texans. However, head coach Mike Pettine made note that the Browns remained faithful in the rookie and continued to feed him the ball throughout the game. Pettine believes the younger backs provide an added spark that Tate did not.
"Three's an explosiveness there with the young backs, just a little bit more pop," Pettine said, via ESPN.com. "We wanted to see those guys out there. Sometimes it's not a matter of a negative against a guy, it's more of a positive with the other ones. We take everything into account."
The Browns are hoping the added pop of the two younger backs and the return of Josh Gordon is enough to get the team back on track as they hit the road to face the Atlanta Falcons. The Browns got away from what they do best in the loss to the Texans and need to find it again if the playoffs are going to be a realistic option this season.