DE C.J. Mosley Signed as Depth, Jones Lost to Eagles

by Chris Pokorny on Mar 7, 2009 10:54 AM EST in General News

Eric Mangini's strategy in his first year with the Browns is not too far different from his first year with the Jets so far: build depth in free agency, and draft the real talent in April.

The Browns signed former New York Jets DT C.J. Mosley Friday to a two-year contract worth about $5 million. In 35 games games with the Jets, 3 of them being starts, Mosley recorded 5 sacks.

		Sacks		Interceptions			Tackles
	G	Sacks	YdsL	Int	Yds	IntTD	Solo	Ast	Total
2008 - C.J. Mosley	10	1.5	9.5	0	0	0	13	4	17

"C.J. adds another piece to the defensive puzzle," Browns General Manager George Kokinis said in a statement. "He is a competitive defensive lineman that runs to the football and will fit in well with the players in that group."

Not a huge signing, but I don't think we can complain until we see how the final plan ends up unfolding. Former Jets LB David Bowens is reportedly still negotiating a contract with the Browns as well.

Without the draft in mind, our defensive line is shaping up to look like this:

DE: Robaire Smith
DT: Shaun Rogers, Shaun Smith
DE: Corey Williams, C.J. Mosley

S. Smith can hopefully focus more on being Rogers' speller this year. Mosley looks to be more effective than a player like Louis Leonard.

In safety-related news, the Browns officially lost safety Sean Jones to the Philadelphia Eagles. Jones, who will replace Brian Dawkins in Philadelphia, signed a one-year deal. I still can't believe the Browns didn't make a reported offer to Jones, although there's no official confirmation that they completely ignored him. The Browns did make another move by re-signing safety Mike Adams:

"Mike Adams possesses the characteristics we believe in and brings versatility to the back end of the defense," Kokinis said in a prepared release.

I was very comfortable with Adams as a backup, so I can only applaud bringing him back. With a big hole at the safety position still, I think it's time to start evaluating all of the safeties that will be around in round two of the NFL draft.

Finally, the Browns re-signed WR Syndric Steptoe, who was an exclusive-rights free agent, according to the OBR. The Browns chose not to retain DE Chase Pittman, so his lackluster tenure with the Browns appears to be over.

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Comments

I am with you, why Jones never got a offer is puzzeling. Jones signs a one year deal for the Eagles, and the Browns can’t match that? I know he wasn’t All Pro level, but he was decent enough.

"Have You heard of the Boom on Mizar 5?"

by Grockcubs on Mar 7, 2009 12:14 PM EST reply actions

Just a season earlier, I believe it was Dr. Z who referred to him as the most underrated safety in the league. Before last season too, many of us deemed him the best player in our secondary, for good reason — he was.

Dawgs By Nature - Find out why Pittsburgh still sucks.

by Chris Pokorny on Mar 7, 2009 1:17 PM EST up reply actions

By “he was”, I meant at that time; last season, he may have been the worst in our secondary due to his injuries.

Dawgs By Nature - Find out why Pittsburgh still sucks.

by Chris Pokorny on Mar 7, 2009 1:18 PM EST up reply actions

I get the Philly news here in Delaware and the Eagles and media like the deal.

"Have You heard of the Boom on Mizar 5?"

by Grockcubs on Mar 7, 2009 7:46 PM EST up reply actions

I’m guessing there was something on tape somewhere that indicated that Steptoe has potential. It would be nice to have an under-the-radar up-and-coming receiver to cut loose on opposing defenses – but I’m just not feeling it with that guy.

On the other hand, I think he got a lot of reps in practice with Quinn. Maybe Mangini and Kokinis saw some chemistry there.

by JustBob on Mar 7, 2009 10:39 PM EST reply actions

Hubbard? We got him back, didn’t we? He is a pretty stellar athlete so he at least has potential.

by rufio on Mar 10, 2009 9:40 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah I’m pretty sure we’ve still got him. I was trying to remember some of the other names that were thrown around in training camp last year, but it seemed that there were several guys who were supposed to have potential. I saw a rumor that JJ might get cut, and that would leave the position pretty thin unless Cribbs really comes along – maybe as the slot guy?

by JustBob on Mar 11, 2009 8:01 PM EDT up reply actions

It’s official. Jurevicious is gone. So, Edwards, Stalworth and (Steptoe/Cribbs/Hubbard). I suppose if we ever saw Edwards and Stalworth both playing their A game at the same time that we would be okay, but Edwards needs to get out of his funk and Stalworth needs to have an ACE bamdage wrapped around his body.

by JustBob on Mar 11, 2009 8:44 PM EDT up reply actions