The Ben Tate experiment is over in Cleveland.
After starting the season as the number one running back on the Browns' depth chart, Tate was unceremoniously cut Tuesday afternoon following the team's Week 11 loss to the Houston Texans. Tate finished the season with 333 yards, a 3.1 average-per-carry, and four touchdowns. He had only two touches for -9 yards against Houston. Tate was on a two-year, $7 million dollar contract.
Tate's release obviously has big-time implications for fantasy football owners. Carries are only going to increase for the pair of rookies in the Cleveland Browns running back committee, Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West.
As of now it looks like Crowell is going to get the start Sunday. But he's yet to log more than 14 carries in a game in his career, so expect West to get multiple opportunities to hit the holes as well. Three of Cleveland's next four opponents struggle stopping the run (with one game against a very good Bills run defense sprinkled in the middle), so owners of Crowell and West are justified in hoping for some big dividends.
Those that own Ben Tate shouldn't discard him just yet, either. Tate is too talented not to land somewhere during the season's stretch run. One appetizing destination might be the Indianapolis Colts, who need to replace an injured Ahmad Bradshaw. Minnesota might also put in a waiver claim for him after Adrian Peterson's season-ending suspension. Who knows, perhaps even a major contender like Denver or New England could make room for his services.
Regardless of his ultimate destination, fantasy owners should breath easy, knowing Tate will be seeing more touches before the season's end.
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