Eagles, Browns Swap Backup Running Backs

With LeSean McCoy nursing injured ribs, and Mike Bell yet to have an impact out of the Birds' backfield, the Eagles looked perilously thin at running back if the starter couldn't go. Less than one week after a gutsy performance by Shady, Jay Glazer reports the front office has made a move to take some of the pressure off of the burgeoning star, sending the disappointing Bell to Cleveland in exchange for the more explosive Jerome Harrison.

The 5-9, 205 lbs. Harrison out of Washington St. is in his fifth year in the league, but he's been little used by the Browns throughout his career. The former fifth-rounder carried just 77 times total in his first three seasons, before he finally earned some meaningful playing time in '09. Harrison started seven games last year, finishing with 862 yards, 4.4 yards per carry, and five touchdowns. He elevated his game in the final three weeks, rushing for over 100 yards in each, including a 286-yard, three touchdown performance in Week 15 against the Chiefs.

The Browns didn't seem overly impressed though. The front office did not view Harrison as an every-down back, and used a second-round pick on Montario Hardesty as a potential replacement. Hardesty was lost for the season due to injury, but Peyton Hillis has since taken over as the team's primary back. Harrison has carried just 31 times for 91 yards so far.

Harrison has excellent quickness and burst, and should fit in well with the Eagles' West Coast offense. He caught 34 passes in '06, two for touchdown.

Bell didn't appear to be working out for the Birds, but he also didn't have too many opportunities to shine. His 16 rushes for 28 yards is very dismal, but a fair portion of his touches were in short yardage situations where his first objective was only to pick up a yard or two. He was always a somewhat curious fit though, not being known as a back who can catch the ball out of the backfield. He was simply one of the best options in a thin free agent field.

It should be noted this is not the first time these clubs have done business together since Tom Heckert became Cleveland's general manager, with Sheldon Brown and Chris Gocong moving on during the off-season for fourth-and fifth-round picks. Obviously the two front offices felt they could help one another out here.

The trade sounds great for the Eagles initially. Bell looked like a nice change of pace option when he was originally brought to Philly, but Harrison should immediately find a bigger role in an offense better suited for his home run ability, not at all unlike McCoy's. It's sort of odd the Browns would rather have Bell, but he's also similar Hillis, a downhill plodder for a power running game.

For now it should ease some of the worries we have at running back. Time will tell whether Harrison's finish in 2009 was just a flash in the pan at the expense of a bunch of bad teams ready to call it a year, or if he was perennially overlooked by one of the league's worst organizations.

>> Eagles Send Bell to Browns for Harrison [CSN]
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