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Feb. 19, 2000 By Len Pasquarelli SportsLine Senior Writer |
The Cleveland Browns, whose rushing attack ranked last in the NFL in 1999, on Saturday afternoon reached a contract accord with the player they feel will help address their running game woes. SportsLine has learned the Browns will sign tailback
Errict Rhett, who rushed for a team-high 852
yards with Baltimore in 1999, as an unrestricted free agent.
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The six-year veteran will sign a three-year contract that can be worth as much as $6 million if he achieves certain performance levels.
Rhett, 29, nearly signed with the Miami Dolphins this week but, after getting close to a deal, the two sides could not resolve their remaining financial differences. With the Browns, he has an excellent chance to win the starting job over last year's No. 1 tailback, Terry Kirby, who gained only 452 yards on 130 carries in the expansion franchise's maiden season.
Rhett visited with Cleveland officials Thursday and definitely tried to sell himself to them. But it took nearly two full days to complete negotiations. When Rhett departed the Browns complex on Thursday, director of football operations Dwight Clark feared the tailback might be gone for good and sign with the Dolphins, whose facility is only three blocks from his home.
But Rhett clearly wanted to be in Cleveland and noted, "I'll see you on March 6," as he left. The Browns begin their formal offseason program that day.
"They treated him tremendously," agent Eugene Mato said of Rhett's visit. "He's a blue-collar guy and that's a blue-collar town. It's a good fit."
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| Errict Rhett will be celebrating his TD runs for the Browns next season.(AP) |
The former University of Florida star resurrected his flagging career in '99, supplanting Priest Holmes as the Ravens' feature back and starting 10 games. He had four 100-yard games and also scored five touchdowns.
Rhett entered the league as the second-round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the '94 draft and established himself as the starter midway through his rookie campaign. He rushed for more than 1,000 yards in 1994 and '95, then lost his starting job in 1996. After starting no games in '96, he was traded to the Ravens in 1998 for a third-round draft choice. Rhett gained just 180 yards for Baltimore in '98 before regaining his stride last season.
The Browns had negotiated last weekend with unrestricted free agent James Stewart, their No. 1 choice at tailback, but they couldn't complete a deal and he signed instead with Detroit.