How To Tame Your Dragon: Cleveland State Gets First Win
November 18, 2014Dave Sterling and Brian Spaeth talk into microphones – WFNY Podcast – 2014-11-19
November 19, 2014The Cleveland Browns parted ways with Ben Tate after just ten games of his first season with the team. The emergence of “The Baby Backs,” Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West made this a pretty easy maneuver for the Browns and GM Ray Farmer. It’s also not wholly surprising considering the general attitude that it’s felt like Ben Tate has had since coming to Cleveland. He hasn’t been a cancer, per se, but to think that Ben Tate has been anything resembling a team-first guy is also wrong. Ben Tate has a lot of self-confidence. He thinks he’s the best running back in the NFL and ultimately it wouldn’t shock me if he and his agent asked for his release after only getting two carries against his former team last Sunday. I have no proof of that, but it just wouldn’t surprise me. Regardless, it doesn’t matter. He’s gone and the Browns didn’t need him.
So what does this say about Ray Farmer? Is he a bad general manager because he went out and signed Tate to a two-year deal and he only lasted part of his first year? Not really. Tate didn’t work out and his attitude wasn’t great, but the contract wasn’t a cap killer by any stretch. It was a 2-year deal for $6.2 million with $2.5 mil guaranteed. The Browns gave him a signing bonus of $1.5 million and all that hits their cap next season is $750,000 in “dead money.” Plus, Ray Farmer is the guy who came up with both Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell who made today’s move that much easier.
Even if Ben Tate somehow comes back to bite the Browns, it will be because their defense failed to stop a middle-of-the-pack NFL running back named, not because they were dumb to cut him.
In a strange way, I don’t even blame Ben Tate. In a lot of ways I think the Browns did him dirty with the playing time as it was this past weekend against Houston. I mean, I want head coach Mike Pettine and offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan to play the best players who give them the best chance to win, and I like Isaiah Crowell plenty. At the same time, this rushing attack has largely been one of trial and error where the team has given guys a chance to show if they “have it” on a given game day. I found it odd that the Browns gave Tate so little chance to show up in the box score against his old team. Not saying it was wrong, but tell me you didn’t find it a bit odd as well.
And obviously Tate was surprised by it too. I listened to 92.3 The Fan’s Daryl Ruiter recount this past Sunday how Ben Tate skipped out on media duties before having to be dragged back by Browns media relations folks. I listened to him get snippy with the media after finally being brought back to speak. He didn’t handle it all that well, and while you put up with an over-inflated sense of self-confidence in professional athletes that allows them to run head-first into a defense stacked with 300-pound monsters, if it crosses a line and becomes detrimental, you have to do something. It seems to me that Ben Tate’s status with the Browns today indicates it crossed that line.
None of this is to say that Farmer, Pettine or Kyle Shanahan are perfect and haven’t made mistakes. I think the usage of running backs so far this season has been positively goofy from week-to-week. As much of a fan as I’ve been of Kyle Shanahan, I refuse to forget the reputation he had for being arrogant and not being able to relate to players in his last stop in Washington. I’m guessing it’s much easier for a guy like Shanahan to exert his dominance over the offense with a couple of rookies than with someone who’s been around a little while like Ben Tate. Then again, Tate’s attitude was visible all by itself, so there’s no reason to think this is on anyone but him.
Hopefully this will all be a blip on the radar for the Browns who head to Atlanta this weekend to try and get back in the winning spirit. As an offense, they still have two running backs who look the part in Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell. On top of all that, it’s the return of Josh Gordon this week. It feels like such a shame to waste much time on a guy with a bad attitude who couldn’t beat out a couple of rookies in a week where the Browns need to win while welcoming back the most prolific weapon in the entire league just a season ago.
49 Comments
“In a lot of ways I think the Browns did him dirty”
I agree, in a way. That doesn’t mean I fault the team for releasing him. But I get why Tate was upset… “We’re going to run the ball right at J.J. Watt… show us what you can do!” (Though he still should have kept his mouth shut). Think this is probably for the best for everyone. Hopefully he’ll get the chance to show what he can do somewhere else.
Chalk me up in the “this is a bad move by the browns” camp. Before Tate was injured he looked good running the ball. When he was given the chance he did make plays, but this browns game has struggled mightily with the injuries to the o-line. A point I was making in defense of Tate the other day is that sometimes people dont realize the RB position is a lot like the QB. Manning talked about how important Edgerrin James was to his development as a QB because of edges ability to see and read defenses. Tate is, was, the best RB on the browns roster and was just another victim of the browns difficulties establishing the run and not his “lack of explosiveness” compared to a guy who has issues holding onto the ball and another who’s vision is clearly still developing to put it nicely.
What is concerning to me though is that he was cut. Not because he’s gone, but because of the dots I am connecting, and I could very well be overlooking things. Last year part of an issue, reportedly, with Chud and the FO is that Chud didn’t want to cut players to send a message. Now, after both ugly browns losses this year, players have been cut. I really think this is coming from Haslam, or at least the consensus of his leadership, and I don’t know how I feel about that. Again. I admit I could be looking into thing, but I don’t believe thats how a team should be run. Dont sit there one week and say you can’t make room to improve your special teams because you don’t know who you would cut, then dump the guy you brought in to be your feature back.
Too early for us to get a full take on rookies Farmer and Pettine but my growing impression is that they are both just-throw–the-scorpions-in-the-bottle guys. As in: regardless of what we paid, the guy who takes the job gets it. Can’t remember another Browns GM who would sit a overall #9 pick for a rookie street free agent. And Pettine kept promising to make guys know that they’re always auditioning.
If Tate’s mouth greased the skids, fine. I’m still disgusted by the days when Cribbs announced post-game he was returning to special teams (without coach’s approval) or that the coaches’ game plan sucked. The kind of me-first crap that went on with Braylon and Winslow and Hillis. More than most any team I can think of, the players here need a short leash, a periodic kick in the ass until a player culture of unified team vision and personal responsibility take hold.
In fairness to Tate, the Browns inexplicably ran every back right at Watt. Tate just looked the silliest when he gave up on an easy inside cut.
In the NFL, RBs basically come and go. A couple of seasons ago Doug Martin was the “next big thing” and now? Chris Johnson was CJ2K, and now? The league moves fast, but really, really fast at RB.
Ben Tate 106carries 333yds 4TD 3.1YPC 9rec(12target) 60yds 0TD
Ter. West 112carries 408yds 3TD 3.6YPC 7rec(8target) 39yds 1TD
I. Crowell 78carries 358yds 5TD 4.6YPC 5rec(8target) 46yds 0TD (3fumbles)
Also, of note, Terrance West has been our best back at picking up blitzers.
So, it looks like the coaching staff sees West as our primary guy due to his overall contributions, but really likes the explosiveness of Crowell though he’s got to tone down those fumbles and learn to pick up the blitz.
Tate wasn’t doing anything better than any of the other backs, so he lost his place, wasn’t happy, and everyone moved on. I hope he doesn’t sign with Indy or Baltimore, but otherwise I will wish him the best.
The real headline here: Browns draft well enough to make veteran expendable
Counterpoint:
The HC and GM actually seem to be working together here. The GM isn’t mandating that his “big offense FA signing” gets playing time, he lets the coach determine it by who is the best for the job. Then, when said RB mouths off about the coaches, the GM has his HC’s back and he’s gone from the roster.
I haven’t seen anything thus far to indicate that Farmer and Pettine aren’t on the same page completely.
Oh those were good times weren’t they? Tate all over Twitter talking about Cleveland and his new team. I haven’t seen him Tweeting today. Someone said it before about buying jerseys and the such. No more not for me. In truth I never bought Browns jerseys in fact I have exactly three articles of clothing with Browns on them. It’s a business cut and dry pretty ruthless in football.
“Before Tate was injured”..
There’s the rub.
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NFL is a meat grinder for the RB position amen. Tate will catch on somewhere no doubt. It’s a shame it didn’t work out but as nj0 noted the Browns drafted well and have alternatives. I wish the same could be said for C or RT or LB.
Can you find a Slaughter/Langhorne flying-5 version?
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Crowell is also pretty good pass catching RB.
Now is the time you add Crowell to your fantasy roster if you have space.
I haven’t seen him catch many but maybe that will change now. As long as he holds onto the ball.
when he actually goes out on the correct route, sure.
Josh Cribbs signed a two year deal with Indy so Browns have that to look forward to as well.
you must not be in any competitive leagues. Crowell should have been added a couple weeks ago.
“The league moves fast, but really, really fast at RB.”
Counterpoint: “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” Hopefully he enjoys his day off today.
He’s a rookie…
Baby steps. 😀
stop at Melt on the way out of town is a must, right?
yeah, on multiple plays Sunday there was some Hoyer frustration just trying to get Crowell lined up in the right place. It cost them a first half time out. Apparently not a playbook scholar.
Back off. He was calling out an audible, instructing the crowhoes to “throw dem lunchables on tha field.”
Damn you. Now I want second lunch.
Step on down Glenn Winston! You are the new third running back option!
only wish I could actually go to it. love the Wake-n-Bake-On
http://cdn.thatsnerdalicious.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/wake-and-bacon.jpg?313ab3
and I just saw that this is an option for that particular sandwhich:
deep fry any brunch sandwich in sweet pancake batter
Last year, the Browns gave up on a RB, the same week they got Josh Gordon back. This year, the Browns did the same. Last year, the Browns went on the Road in a Dome when giving up on an RB and getting Gordon Back. This year, same thing. In 2013, the Browns rallied for 3 wins in a row, and hopefully, he Browns will win the next three in a row. I guess though last year was when the Browns chose to start Hoyer instead of the other two on the roster.
Oh I’m in very competitive leagues and as I told you earlier Crowell had no real worth. It was just a few weeks ago that Terrence West (who I added for that weekend) outfantasied Crowell and Tate.
How great is it that we now get to worry about another team signing the crappy third string running back whom we just cut? First world problems!
Can he catch punts?
The coaches need to rectify that.
I’m looking at you Mr. Shanahan…
if Gilbert isn’t going to get snaps at CB, then shouldn’t we just put him there?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TreIv54wfJM
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Or you’re a Mangenius and have both. 😉
If your roster had room mine didn’t which is why I’m looking to nab Crowell for this weeks match-up against Atlanta. I got Blue verse the Browns so I’ll sub Crowell verse Atlanta if it goes through.
The players are professionals – there are consequences for consistently poor play – Tate in the final analysis was not an asset. He got cut – just the life of a football player in the NFL – contribute or your gone. Was it a great move by Browns coaching staff – history will make the final determination – I do know that Tate did nothing in my opinion to justify the salary or his level of contribution to be a members of the Cleveland Browns.
Tate was a pro and in his last game net gain was a – 3 yards per carry – for a run oriented team and as the dominate RB for the Browns he simply failed
Ben, Walls wingspan is 82 1/2 inches. To be fair, thats not fair
I am suprised that they got in front of this one and admited mistakes early and moved on. He has not been as good as the other two, and when he muffs the suggestion of contributing on special teams, and becomes a pain, it is only logical to let him go
Williams has been so good!
If Geo Bernard doesn’t play this week, I have to start West and Crowell as my 2 RBs…so, I’m covered. :/
Gotta go personalized, previous studs, or get your jerseys from Korea for $20
I don’t know why this hasn’t happened yet.
alternate method:
wait until player has ruined his career in Cleveland and is sent on a rail out of town. then, buy his jersey cheap. wait until new “hero” dons that particular number and sew nameplate over previous name (or have one of the local sport shops do it).
“As much of a fan as I’ve been of Kyle Shanahan, I refuse to forget the reputation he had for being arrogant and not being able to relate to players in his last stop in Washington.”
I find I’m questioning this whole zeitgeist that Shanahan is arrogant and can’t relate to players with RG3 being the most glaring example. In light of the apparent ongoing, maybe escalating, issues RG3 seems to present to his entire organization I’m not sure Shanahan was really the culprit there/then.