Browns Have Discussed Possibly Signing Ray Rice

According to Don Banks of SI.com, the Browns are “dissatisfied” with their young running backs and could be a “logical and likely” landing spot for former Ravens RB Ray Rice.

• Ian Rapoport mentions that you can rule out the Browns possibly signing Rice.
• Pro Football Talk believes this could be an attempt by the Browns to gauge the public reaction to the idea of signing Rice to a contract.

In fact, Browns HC Mike Pettine acknowledged to SI.com on Tuesday that they’ve discussed the idea of possibly signing Rice to a contract.

“We’ve talked about it, but I don’t think we’re there at this point,” Pettine said.

Pettine admitted that Cleveland makes sense for Rice based on the coaching staff’s ties to Rice.

“Of course it’s a natural question here because of [Browns running backs coach] Wilbert [Montgomery], and because I was with Ray when he was a Ravens rookie (in 2008) and know a lot of people in Baltimore,” Pettine said. “Obviously Wilbert was his position coach for Ray’s first six years in the league (2008–13). I’m not going to say it didn’t come up in discussion, but at this point we’re not there yet.”

However, Pettine added that they’re just not comfortable doing so at this time.

“I don’t think it’s gotten to that point, to say, ‘Hey, I’d kind of be comfortable with it,’” Pettine said. “But I think it would get to that point if we arrived at it from a football standpoint, then asked that question. Instead of working the process backwards. Why bother with asking the question if the need never presents itself?”

Rice, 28, last appeared in an NFL game back in 2013 when he ran for 660 yards on 214 carries (3.1 YPC) to go along with 58 receptions for 321 yards receiving and four total touchdowns.

It’s worth mentioning that Rice dealt with a hip injury that year, which could explain his dip in production. However, Pro Football Focus still had him rated as the worst qualifying running back in the league that year.