Browns release Ben Tate

The Cleveland Browns released unhappy running back Ben Tate in a move that would have been a surprise a month ago,but now seemed to be a move that was going to be inevitable.

Tate was the biggest signing of the offensive side of the ball for the Browns,but had struggled over the last month with the zenith being a -9 yards on two carries and a chop block penalty against his former team in the Houston Texans.

Tate was off to a strong start in the opener against Pittsburgh as he ran for 41 yards on six carries before suffering an injury that would sideline him for a month.
Tate's return saw his only 100 yard game as a Brown as he ran for 124 yards in the Browns comeback win over Tennessee.
The highlights were slim after that game in Nashville as only his 78 yards and two touchdowns in the win over Pittsburgh would ever exceed the measly total of 36 yards thereafter.

I've written that much of the problem with Ben Tate is that he was having trouble being able to turn the corner on sweeps and pitches.
I still think that Tate can be an effective runner,but I think he will need to be given runs between the tackles to loosen the defense for those occasional outside runs and he will work best as the main back to wear down the defense.
Tate splitting time with Isaiah Crowell and Terrence West was not going to give that opportunity to Tate,so this release might be the best thing for all parties involved.
The Browns can be rid of a player that clearly was becoming a malcontent,Crowell and West will each get more carries with the football and Tate is rumored to be on his way to the Colts,who need a back with the season ending injury to Ahmad Bradshaw on Sunday.

Cleveland also re-signed former Texans linebacker Zac Liles to a contract to address depth after the losses of Jabaal Sheard and Karlos Dansby.
Liles had been in training camp with Cleveland before being released....

Browns add Ben Tate!

The Cleveland Browns continued to take strides in building what might be the most exciting offense in Cleveland since the days of Bernie Kosar as the woeful Browns running game took a huge leap forward with the signing of former Houston Texans back Ben Tate.

I sometimes look a bit askew upon signing big name free agent runners because often, the back has left his best times on other fields and comes with less tread on his tires than I'd like at an inflated price.
I don't feel that way about Ben Tate.

Why don't I?
Well,Tate doesn't turn 26 until training camp, has never carried the ball more than 200 times due to being behind Arian Foster in Houston and averaged 4.7 yards per carry for his time in Texas.
That makes me think that this is a back in his prime,not in decline and the Browns are not paying for past performances in another jersey.
Tate can put his shoulder down and run over defenders,yet he has the speed to break away,so if this guy is so great,why did a bad team like Houston allow him to leave?
Tate has had knee injuries and has never carried over 200 times in a season (covered the pro and con of that argument,didn't I?),so there are some questions,although not many.

The best part of all?
Ben Tate signed a two year deal for just seven million,which is a very reasonable deal for what could be a top level running back.
I can understand the prove it style deal from the Browns perspective,but was surprised that Tate went for it.
I am hoping this is a motivator for Tate to show that he is an elite back and outshines this deal,but this adds to what might be a strong offense.
Ben Tate running,Josh Gordon ( please stay out of trouble,Josh!) and Jordan Cameron returning and a few IF's coming-IF Brian Hoyer's cameo appearance was not just a mirage,the Bengals don't match the Andrew Hawkins offer sheet to put Hawkins in the slot and IF the Browns tab Sammy Watkins of Clemson with their first rounder,Cleveland could have their most fun team to watch in years!

There are still some holes as right guard is a gaping one,I still think the team needs another inside linebacker and I'd love to see that multi-year beg for a corner opposite Joe Haden hit town,but suddenly I'm excited about the future for the Cleveland Browns.