When the owner speaks, the organization should listen. If that happens, Ray Rice could be one step closer to rejoining the NFL.
NFL.com, based on a report from ESPN, reported that Browns owner Jimmy Haslam would "like to see (Rice) get another shot" and wouldn't object if that shot came with his team.
Ray Rice must show Cowboys, Browns he can play before being considered
Speculation on Rice in Cleveland has surfaced, thanks to the underwhelming performance by running backs Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell during the Browns' 20-17 preseason loss to the Redskins on Thursday.
West had four carries for 10 yards and Crowell finished with four carries for six yards. Quarterback Johnny Manziel led the team in rushing with 12 yards, as the Browns finished with 27 yards on 16 carries for the night.
"I think it's just premature to talk about that," coach Mike Pettine said after the game about the possibility of adding Rice, according to Yahoo Sports. "We're comfortable [with our running backs]; we just want to get those guys back and see what we have. I know a lot of people have connected the dots given his circumstances and ours. But it's just too early to talk about it.
"I'm not going to hit the panic button after our first preseason game," Pettine added. "We have plans. It's a long preseason."
Browns running backs coach Wilbur Montgomery, who coached Rice with the Ravens, earlier in the week chastised his running backs for reporting to camp out of shape and lacking a sense of urgency.
"How can you play and not want to be a starter?'' Montgomery railed to reporters, Yahoo Sports indicated.
Cleveland general manager Sam Farmer echoed Pettine's sentiments about wanting to give the Browns' current corps of backs every chance to prove themselves.
"I think we've got some talented young guys," Farmer said, according to ESPN. "Ray's had his career. We kind of know what he is. We think we know. There's a lot of tape."
Farmer adds that Rice's name isn't the only once being discussed as insurance.
"But like everybody else's name. Like Pierre Thomas. There's a bunch of guys whose names have come up," Farmer said.
One possible benefit for the Browns would be that Rice's presence would take a lot of media attention away from Manziel.
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