Allen Patrick, an undrafted rookie running back from Oklahoma, was signed to the Browns' active roster. The Browns already have three running backs in Jamal Lewis, Jerome Harrison and Jason Wright, but Harrison left Sunday's game against the Titans with a rib injury. I'd guess this means he won't play against the Eagles Monday.

In college, Patrick had the unenviable task of replacing Adrian Peterson and never really met expectations. He has a long injury history as well. But, maybe he'll get some playing time before the season is over. Wright has been pretty bad this year and the coaches don't seem to have faith in Harrison.

Notes…
Jeff Schudel of the News-Herald does a real good job with his stuff. Here is his latest column, which is on Lewis not living up to his big talk.

It seems the anonymity of the Internet brings out the worst in people, particularly those who like to poke fun at sports columnists. Typically, though, the columnists never address the digs and criticism. That's why I like Pat McManamon. He does. Check out his post there for some "inside baseball" stuff you may find interesting. Now if only Phil Savage was a little more like Pat…

D'Qwell Jackson has become the story of the defense this season. He leads the NFL in tackles with 130. Patrick Willis of the 49ers is second with 117. Jackson is also something of a quote machine. Here he summed up his feelings on this season:

“When I’m here, you don’t think about it. When I’m home, you do think about it,” he said Monday before the players were given the last two days off. “Because I’m one of the guys that’s going to be here, it’s definitely going to affect me in someway or another.

“A lot of guys won’t be here next year.”

Whoever could a lot of those guys be? Well, check back here sometime before Monday night's game as we'll have some speculation.

Don't forget, we'll be having another chat for this Monday's game against Philadelphia.

The Browns have changed quarterbacks. They have changed starting cornerbacks. They have diminished playing time from two defensive stalwarts.

Now is it time to bench their running back?

For most of the season the Browns have ignored the run game in favor of passing the ball. Jamal Lewis, the starting half back who has yet to rush for 100 yards in a game this season, had a mediocre showing against the Bills on Monday Night. In a game where they gave the ball to Lewis early in an attempt to build a rhythm for their brusing back, he hardly impressed.

When Jerome Harrison took the ball 72 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, he showed his big play ability that has been talked about since being drafted in 2006 out of Washington State. On the season, he now is rushing for 10.4 yards per carry on 20 rushes. If factoring in Harrison's receptions and yardage, he averages 11.48 yards every time he touches the ball. Yet he only averages 2 carries per game. With a struggling ground game, and no speed from either Lewis or Jason Wright, why isn't Harrison getting more invovled in the offense? At this point, he has earned the right to be the starter.

Moving to a back by committee system probably isn't in the cards either. In Lewis's last year in Baltimore, 2006, he played in a platoon with Chester Taylor, now of the Vikings. Lewis was unhappy about the diminished role. Since he was clearly being used as the power runner, and Taylor as the slash back and receiver, Lewis felt teams were able to key in on him and telegraph plays. Lewis saw several eight man fronts, and he plugged along, averaging only 3.6 yards per carry (which is ironically the same as he is averaging to date this year).

If Lewis does not get touches, he's not a happy running back. Given his fiery attitude of late, can anyone expect him to graciously walk away from his 20 carries per game?

Handing the ball to Harrison now is the right move. The Browns high flying offense of 2007 is just not there this year. Harrison has earned the right to carry the ball more. He has had many critics point to his inability to pass block, an area he has improved on this year. Harrison at this point is the all purpose back the Browns offense needs.

Has Harrison earned the right to start for the Browns?