Cleveland Browns Rumors: After Trading Away Terrance West, Team Targets Ray Rice
The Cleveland Browns proved once again that their history in making good draft picks is one that is never good at all. The Browns traded running back Terrance West away to the Tennessee Titans and put an end to his inconsistent time in the “Dawg Pound.” Well, it looks like the Browns actually already have a plan in place and it appears to have the name of Ray Rice.
According to Cleveland.com, West was traded to Tennessee on Sunday and it was due to his inconsistency and immaturity. The Browns only got a seventh-round draft pick in 2016 for him even though he was selected in the third round of the 2014 NFL Draft.
If the Titans hadn’t agreed to trade for West, it was expected that the Browns were going to part ways anyway by cutting him. Last year, they even traded up to get him in the draft as they figured the Baltimore Ravens were just waiting to select him.
West did finish 2014 as the Browns leading rusher with 673 yards, but his immaturity is what hurt his time in Cleveland. He was benched twice last season for bad practice weeks and for lacking the professionalism that the teams wants in its players.
This year’s preseason showed the team nothing to prove that he had gotten better. Now, he heads to Tennessee for a fresh start.
Can’t wait to get to Nashville. Everything I got you will get.… https://t.co/F9VuI9hY8Z
— TWEST (@Terrancewest_28) September 6, 2015
Not only does the trade help the Browns get rid of a player that never seemed to fit in, but it opens up a roster spot for another running back. Pro Football Talk states that the Browns already have their eyes on one and it is Ray Rice.
If Cleveland goes into the 2015 regular season as is, they would have to depend on second-year running back Isaiah Crowell and rookie Duke Johnson. The latter missed most of the preseason with a sore hamstring and also a concussion.
Crowell played well in his rookie year, but not well enough to lead a team.
Browns head coach Mike Pettine and running backs coach Wilbert Montgomery both have history with Ray Rice so he is no stranger. They both spent time with him in Baltimore when he was with the Ravens, and they feel he could be a great fit in Cleveland.
Only a few other teams have shown interest in Rice since he was reinstated by the NFL and said he was ready for a comeback. One of those teams is the Dallas Cowboys, but they just traded for Christine Michael so Rice may be the Browns for the picking.
The Cleveland Browns need a running back and Ray Rice needs a new team. It’s like a match made in heaven, but will there be backlash from the fans for Rice’s shaky and violent history? Only time will tell, but time seems to say that Ray Rice will be in a Browns’ uniform before too long.
[Image via Getty Images – Ronald Martinez]
