Prior to Thursday night’s preseason game against the Redskins, one in which the Browns’ maddening running back duo of Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West rushed eight times for 16 total yards, owner Jimmy Haslam was asked again.
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General manager Ray Farmer acknowledged that Rice’s name has come up in their discussions before adding that the talks are “premature”. Focused on them. Giving them the opportunity to demonstrate whether they can or they can’t.
Even though Pettine and Farmer have downplayed an interest, it will be tough to quell the speculation, especially given the ties Rice has to people in the organization and the Browns’ current backfield problems.
They must also take into account the fact that Ray Rice did not play a single snap last season after being cut by the Baltimore Ravens. I don’t know that he’s as good as any of the four we’ve got. Ray’s had his career.
Rice missed all of last season with the Ravens after a video surfaced of him hitting his wife in an elevator. We all know the story surrounding Ray Rice and his act of domestic violence that left a lasting imprint on the league. “Like Pierre Thomas”, Farmer said.
Like Rice, maybe? “I don’t think we’re there at this point”, coach Mike Pettine told SI.com this week.
Rice said recently he played the whole season with a torn quadriceps, which certainly would have limited his effectiveness.
It’s only natural that Rice’s name was mentioned, because every decent available player is bandied about by NFL teams. Theres a lot of tape..
Despite losing Arian Foster to injury for several weeks, Texans owner Bob McNair said that he would still be hesitant to sign Rice, the disgraced former Pro Bowler.
Since then, the Browns have received numerous inquiries from reporters about their desire to sign the talented, but troubled 28-year-old running back.
“We want people that fit in our locker room”, he continued. “I haven’t seen anybody else try to sign him, so I think that’s a pretty good indication of where he stands”.
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All of that being said, it will be very interesting to see what ends up happening in the Rice situation.
