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CLEVELAND -- Ben Tate was on the Browns radar for months. Sammy Watkins Bills Jersey . Hes now on their roster. Tate signed a two-year, $7 million free agent deal on Saturday with Cleveland, which has been desperate to find a quality every-down running back since trading Trent Richardson to Indianapolis early last season. Tate, who spent the past four years with Houston, fills the void and the 25-year-old is excited to begin a new chapter of his career with the Browns. "LETS DO THIS CLEVELAND!! (hashtag) DawgPound," Tate posted on his Twitter account along with a photo of him wearing a Browns ball cap. Later in a teleconference, Tate said hes eager to show he can be a feature back. "Its been something Ive been waiting for, for a long time," he said. "Im just ready to grab this opportunity and run with it and show everyone what Im all about. ... I feel like now that Ive been given this opportunity that I can be one of the top backs in the league. Im going to let my play speak for itself. But I want it to be known that I do feel like Im a guy whos gonna be a top-10, top-8, top-5 running back." Tate had been linked to the Browns almost from the moment they made the shocking deal to send Richardson to the Colts for a 2014 first-round draft pick. Cleveland considered trading for Tate, but decided to wait until he was available as a free agent. Tate was one of the top free agent backs on the market, and after spending two days visiting the Browns, his agents and the team finalized a deal. He spent the down time messaging with fans on Twitter, hoping Cleveland would become his new football home. "I really wanted to be here," said Tate, adding he had other visits lined up. "I thought this was going to be the best opportunity for me. I felt like the pieces thats already here, offensive line-wise and their plans to build in the rest of free agency and also in the draft, so I felt like this was going to be just the best opportunity for me to succeed and to help turn this thing around and take it to another level." Tate rushed for 771 yards last season, his fourth with the Texans. He played part of the year with broken ribs, an injury that would have sidelined most players. He has averaged 4.7 yards per attempt during his career. After sitting out his rookie season in 2010 with a broken ankle, Tate took over after starter Arian Foster got hurt in 2011 and rushed for 942 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 5.4 yards per carry. Tate said it was tough sitting and waiting behind Foster for his chance to shine. "I feel like Im explosive," he said when asked to describe his running style. "I feel like I can make guys miss when you hit the open field. I feel like if its third-and-1 and Ive got to go one-on-one with a linebacker that I can do that as well. "So I just feel like Im a total package. I feel like I can do everything there is to. I can catch the ball out of the backfield. I feel like I can do everything. Im a three-down back. I just would say Im just a complete back." The Browns ranked tied for 27th in the league with 86.4 yards rushing per game last season and scored only four TDs on the ground. Tate is the fifth free agent signed by the Browns this week, joining safety Donte Whitner, linebacker Karlos Dansby, cornerback Isaiah Trufant and tight end Jim Dray. Cleveland has signed Cincinnati wide receiver Andrew Hawkins to an offer sheet and is waiting to see if the Bengals are going to match it for the quick slot receiver. Also, the Browns are in a holding pattern on Pro Bowl centre Alex Mack. They designated him as their transition player, locking him into a one-year, $10.039 million deal in 2014 unless he signs an offer sheet elsewhere that Cleveland will have time to match. Dustin Hopkins Bills Jersey . Tim Thomas survived a third-period barrage from the New York Rangers, and Boston held on for a 2-1 victory on Sunday night that clinched the Northeast Division for the Bruins.Kiko Alonso Womens Jersey . "It feels like I havent left," said Tim Raines, the former long-time Expo, current Blue Jays roving instructor and should-be Hall-of-Famer, just moments after stepping onto the turf at Olympic Stadium.FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. -- In practice Thursday, Atlanta Falcons wide receivers coach Terry Robiskie was barking at the new guy like he knows him. He does. One day after losing the NFLs leading receiver, Julio Jones, to a season-ending foot fracture, Atlanta signed Brian Robiskie -- the coachs son. The scuffling Falcons (1-4) hope that the younger Robiskie -- who practiced in 2011 under Atlanta offensive co-ordinator Dirk Koetter when he held that job in Jacksonville -- can shore up the beleagured receiving corps. Four-time Pro Bowl wideout Roddy White has just 14 receptions, struggling since the preseason with a high ankle sprain. He left Monday nights loss to the Jets with a hamstring injury and is no lock for Atlantas next game, Oct. 20 against the Bucs. Although the 6-foot-4, 212-pound Robiskie has bounced around in the NFL since the Cleveland Browns drafted him in the second round in 2009, Atlanta head coach Mike Smith and the staff hope his familiarity with coaches helps him get up to speed quickly. "Brian has . . . three or four years of experience, knows our offence, knows our verbiage," Smith said. "I know that father and son always speak. Im sure they kind of speak the same language." Terry Robiskie has work to do, and as the Falcons held a rare Thursday bye-week practice, he was going at it. He wasnt always pleasant when addressing his son. "Thats nothing," said Brian Robiskie, who had been out of football since the Detroit Lions released him in June. "Hes a tough guy. Thats how he is, and Im sure if you ask any of the other receivers they would tell you the same thing. He wants a lot out of his players." The younger Robiskie was the only new player Thursday, but there will be many moving parts for the Falcons. With Jones and his 41 receptions gone and White out of practice all week, Atlanta slot receiver Harry Douglas will move into the starting lineup. Whether he returns to the slot in three-receiver formations remains to be seen. "This is a unique situation that were dealing with right now, and youve got to be multiple," Smith said. "Weve got to identify what guys can do, and put them in the best spots by formation and by personnel." The Falcons may also use rookie tight end Levine Toilolo more in conjunction with Tony Gonzalez for two-tight end formations.. Jim Leonhard Womens Jersey. "Hes going to be a very big threat, especially in the red zone," Smith said of the 6-8 Toilolo. "Yes, that would be an option." At wide receiver, NFL neophytes Drew Davis and/or Kevin Cone may see their roles increase, and that could make two of the Falcons most dependable special teamers available for less duty on punt and kickoff squads. Cone, an undrafted third-year pro, got his first NFL reception Monday after Jones left. Davis, undrafted last year, made all four of his NFL catches as a rookie in 2012. "Thats something thats overlooked," Smith said. "Drew Davis has been good on special teams for us, and Kevin Cone. (The injury situation) is going to not only affect what we do on offence, its going to affect what we do on special teams." Special teams could be further impacted if coaches opt not to use Douglas in his usual punt returner spot to save wear-and-tear. Reserve cornerback Robert McClain would be a top candidate for that spot. Smith said, "Thats definitely on the table for discussion." Brian Robiskie doesnt have to make all these decisions, yet he will be busy over the next 10 days trying to get ready to help against Tampa Bay. . He was released by the Browns during the 2011 season after making 39 catches for 441 yards and three touchdowns in 31 games, including 14 starts. The former Ohio State standout was quickly claimed off waivers by the Jaguars, but did not play for Jacksonville in 2011 when he was injured. The Jags released him before the 2012 season, and after the Lions signed him at midseason, Robiskie caught four passes for 44 yards and a touchdown while playing in six games for Detroit. Robiskie said after Thursdays practice hell wait to answer whether working with his dad will expedite his learning curve. "If you ask me in a couple more days, Ill let you know," he said. "The first day went well. Its going take me however long to get back into the swing of things, but after being out (of the game) its exciting for me." Notes: Running back Stephen Jackson, who has missed the last three-plus games with a hamstring injury, did not practice Thursday. He continued working with athletic trainers. "We need to get Stephen back as quickly as we can," Smith said. . . . The Falcons will not practice Friday-Monday. ' ' ' |
