The Cleveland Browns may have not yet signed running back Ray Rice, but all indications seem to be pointing to the team potentially giving the embattled ballcarrier a chance sometime in the not-too-distant future. After head coach Mike Pettine floated the notion that the Browns had discussed signing Rice earlier this week, likely in an effort to gauge fan and media response, Cleveland owner Jimmy Haslam took to the mic and offered his own feelings on the subject, which can be summarized thusly - "OK." Haslam, speaking to ESPN's Bob Holtzman, said that he'd "like to see (Rice) get another shot" and that he'd be alright with it if that shot came with the Browns, though he'd prefer to see what the team's young guns can do first.
Of course, Cleveland GM Ray Farmer and Pettine are the ones who will make that decision - assuming Haslam would stay out of the way - and both men recently called the talk of the team signing Rice, "premature."
"Right now I'd say it's all premature in my mind," Farmer told ESPN. "We're interested in seeing what our young guys can do. Focused on them. Giving them the opportunity to demonstrate whether they can or they can't.
"I think we've got some talented young guys. Ray's had his career. We kind of know what he is. We think we know. There's a lot of tape."
While Farmer and Pettine may have collected a group of talented young running backs they say they are "comfortable" with, it seems like none of the trio have done much to distinguish themselves thus far. Presumed starter Isaiah Crowell managed just four carries for six yards in the Browns preseason loss to the Washington Redskins on Thursday. Terrance West's four totes went for all of 10 yards and rookie Duke Johnson didn't see the field due to injury.
While Rice's most recent tape was less than stellar - he averaged just 3.1 yards per carry in 2013 - he represents established NFL production and could potentially provide a much-needed veteran presence at the position.
At least we know Haslam's onboard.
