Daily Dawg Tags: Browns a possible ‘suitor’ for Frank Gore?
By Thomas Moore
The Cleveland Browns need help at running back, but Frank Gore, who will reportedly be released by the Indianapolis Colts, is not the solution.
The Cleveland Browns, who are expected to be in need of a running back once Isaiah Crowell exits in free agency on March 14, may have their eyes on an aging veteran.
According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the Browns may be a “potential suitor” for Frank Gore once he is released by the Indianapolis Colts.
Related: Chris Ivory pops in for a visit with the Browns
Gore has spent the past three seasons with the Colts, where he rushed for 2,953 yards and 13 touchdowns. Of course, he needed almost 800 carries to amass those numbers as he averaged just 3.8 yards per carry, a pretty big drop off from the 4.5 yards per carry he averaged in his 10 years with the San Francisco 49ers.
The report that the Browns might have interest in Gore comes just two days after the team hosted Chris Ivory for a visit, another veteran running back on the downside of his career.
It also continues to signal that the Browns are happy to let Crowell go despite the fact that he is younger (25) than both Ivory (29) and Gore (34), and his 1,805 rushing yards and nine touchdowns are on par with Gore’s production over the past two seasons and outperformed Ivory.
Even if Crowell is as good as gone, as they say, it seems unwise for the Browns to add a soon-to-be 35-year-old running back on the downside of his career to the roster.
It seems more likely that general manager John Dorsey will use one of his 12 draft selections in the 2018 NFL Draft on a deep running back pool to find a good running back to compliment Duke Johnson come draft weekend.
Cleveland Browns news:
Would the Browns really trade the No. 1 overall pick?
The NFL Scouting Combine is underway and the Cleveland Browns managed to create some intrigue when General Manager John Dorsey suggested he could be open to trading the first overall pick.
Making the case for running back Kalen Ballage
The Cleveland Browns have a need at running back, but don’t need a day one pick. Instead, they could target someone like ASU’s Kalen Ballage.
Saquon Barkley says he would welcome chance to ‘leave a legacy’ by resurrecting Browns (ohio.com)
"Saquon Barkley is treating the stigma of the Browns going 1-31 the past two seasons like an opposing defender. The 6-foot, 233-pound running back from Penn State is not letting it drag him down."
John Dorsey will do his talking at the draft (cleveland.com)
"The Browns, as it currently stands, hold 12 picks in the upcoming NFL Draft. So what do you get for the team that has all the draft assets? Maybe more."
NFL news:
Rams will trade or release Tavon Austin (NFL.com)
"Tavon Austin will be in the market for a new team after five years with the Rams organization. The Rams will either trade or release the former No. 8 overall draft pick, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported, via a source informed of the situation."
Seahawks looking to trade Michael Bennett (ESPN)
"The Seattle Seahawks are shopping Pro Bowl defensive lineman Michael Bennett in trade talks, a source tells ESPN. Bennett, 32, was second on the team with 8.5 sacks in 2017. Although he’s coming off a productive season and signed a three-year extension in December 2016, Bennett expressed doubts about his future after the Seahawks’ final game, telling The News Tribune that he “probably won’t be back next year.”"
Dolphins give Jarvis Landry permission to seek a trade (Miami Herald)
"The Miami Dolphins have given Jarvis Landry permission to seek a trade, and Landry plans to work with the Dolphins in helping facilitate one, a league source fully briefed on the situation said Thursday. Landry plans to sign the franchise tag – a necessary step before he can be traded – and that’s expected to happen soon."