The Cleveland Browns are aware their run game is raising some eyebrows. The team had success last season with the young tandem of Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell, but that does not seem to be repeating itself this year. The Browns also added Duke Johnson into the mix, but he has been sitting out with injury alongside Dwayne Bowe and Terrelle Pryor. With injuries hitting hard as the preseason approaches, the Browns are not ready to be the team that makes the move for Ray Rice.
The former Baltimore Ravens running back is seeing his name pop up a lot as injuries take place in training camp, but so far no one is making a move for him. Rice has been linked to the Arizona Cardinals after they showed interest in Chris Johnson. He then was linked to the Houston Texans and New England Patriots after injuries to Arian Foster and LeGarrette Blount. However, no one is giving him a contract. As the Browns deal with injury issues to West and Johnson, they too are not ready to call up Rice.
"Of course it's a natural question here because of Wilbert ]Montgomery], and because I was with Ray when he was a Ravens rookie and know a lot of people in Baltimore," Pettine said, via SI.com. "Obviously Wilbert was his position coach for Ray's first six years in the league. I'm not going to say it didn't come up in discussion, but at this point we're not there yet."
The Browns need to add help to the running back rotation. The trio they have right now is not pleasing Montgomery as he claims no one really wants the starting job, but options are limited. Rice is considered the best available in terms of talent, but the biggest headache in terms of media attention. Cleveland is finally moving out of the spotlight with Johnny Manziel having a quiet camp and they might not want to get back in. That leaves Chris Johnson, Pierre Thomas and Steven Jackson as their likely targets should they make a move for someone.
With Pryor and Bowe injured, the Browns are hoping depth at the wide receiver position means they do not have to sign anyone else to help out. Andrew Hawkins, Taylor Gabriel and Travis Benjamin are all fighting for spots on the depth chart. With Pryor and Bowe sitting out the first preseason game according to Cleveland.com, all three receivers will get playing time and a chance to prove themselves. If things go poorly, the Browns will have to eye free agents at the receiver position along with the running back spot.