The Browns after Ben Tate and Peyton Hillis to the Chiefs!

The Cleveland Browns targeting Ben Tate and Peyton Hillis signing with the Kansas City Chiefs, the results of day two in the Browns leap into free agency? Cleveland, while others are making a "razzle and dazzle" splash in free agency continues their status quo--more of a "drizzle and Frizzle" approach!

Peyton Hillis has signed with the Chiefs at what has been reported to be a one year contract for three million (terms of the deal have yet to be disclosed). If previous rumors of Hillis seeking elite running-back cash, along with reports that the Browns had offered Hillis a 5 year contract worth 19 million then this signing--from Hillis' stand-point makes little sense--an investment in a calculator or canning your agent (once again) would be appropriate.

The Browns did not seem to be in a hurry to re-sign Hillis, possibly due to injuries and of course the drama that surrounded the cover figure of Madden NFL 12. Missing treatments for his hamstring injury, changing agents rapidly and yes--running off during a "work week" to get hitched probably didn't help his relationship with the Browns either. If rumors that he thought one good season had catapulted him into the category of the upper-tier NFL running-backs were true , then he possessed one thing the Browns do not need--the prima dona complex.

So, Hillis is off to Kansas City and we are off to Ben Tate!

After reading a snippet of an article over at Walk The Line, regarding speculation that the Browns would pursue Ben Tate, this theory would somewhat explain the Browns lack of interest in paying big dollars to retain Hillis. Given the "on again, off again" performances of Montario Hardesty due to injury it is understandable that the Browns would be seeking a dependable and powerful running-back and Tate would fit the bill.

Browns rumors have kicked into overdrive with the latest, which the Browns have not commented on, being a possible trade for the Houston Texans running-back. Last season Tate was the back-up for Arian Foster, surely Browns fans remember Tate--last season he rushed for 112 yards on 15 carries in a thumping of the Browns--30-12! As the back-up to Foster, Tate still managed to rush for four touchdowns and 942 yards last season. If speculation (rumors) are true--Tate would be a valuable and much needed replacement of Hillis!

Rumors are just that--rumors until they become fact--somewhat like statements about the Browns will do everything possible to keep Hillis and yes--Hillis loves Cleveland so much that he was willing to give the Browns a "discount" to remain a Brown--neither became fact!

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