The Cleveland Browns get back the third piece of their three-headed rushing attack this week. Ben Tate returns to the huddle after missing several weeks with a knee injury suffered in Week 1. Tate signed with the Browns in free agency with the intentions of being the starter. He had sat behind Arian Foster for years in Houston and was ready for his time in the spotlight. However, now he is competing with two rookies that have been dominating for Cleveland over the past few weeks and he is now thrilled about it.
In Tate's absence, Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell have more than held down the rushing attack. The Browns could not be more pleased with their two rookie rushers as they have provided a dynamic tandem in the wake of Tate's injury. Getting the veteran back in the huddle can only mean more rushing for the Browns, but Tate is not thrilled he will be splitting time on the field.
"That's tough to have three running backs," Tate said, via ESPN.com. "As a running back you want to get in a rhythm, so it's tough to have three. But two? Yeah, I think definitely two running backs can get the job done."
The Browns originally intended for the rushing attack to be Tate with West stepping in for relief. The idea of Crowell getting time on the field seemed highly unlikely. However, West has 204 yards to his name while Crowell is averaging 5.2 yards per carry. According to the rookies, the hot hand will get the most carries each week.
"Whoever's got the hot hand and whoever will get us the win, that's who we're going to roll with," West said.
Right now those hot hands belong to two rookies. Tate is clearly the starter. When the team steps out on Sunday, Tate will be behind the quarterback first, but he starts to look inefficient, the rookies will take over immediately for the team. Fantasy owners who have invested into Tate should be leery. The veteran will get the starting carries, but West and Crowell will hurt his value. Norv Turner and Mike Pettine are committed to a rushing attack and could easily find time to get all three players on the field.
