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.
"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.