NFL: Cleveland Browns news...

[The_Dude]

via Yahoo! Sports:

CLEVELAND (AP) -- Defensive back Kenny Wright signed a three-year contract with Cleveland on Sunday, making him the third free agent the Browns have signed.

Wright had 43 tackles and one interception in 16 games, including nine starts, for the Washington Redskins last season.

Wright, 29, was taken in the fourth round -- 120th overall -- of the 1999 draft by Minnesota and has played eight seasons with the Vikings, Houston, Jacksonville and Washington. He has 388 career tackles and seven interceptions.

"The addition of Kenny Wright to the Browns will add experience and depth to our corner position," Browns general manager Phil Savage said. "We feel he will bring a veteran presence to that group as well."

The Browns also have signed free agent offensive lineman Eric Steinbach, who played four seasons with Cincinnati, to a seven-year, $49.5 million contract, and outside linebacker Antwan Peek, who played for Houston last season, to a three-year deal.

[david sumner]

Cleveland Browns right tackle Ryan Tucker plans to reclaim his starting job now that he has recovered from the mental disorder that sidelined him last season.

"I feel great, man," Tucker said this weekend in his first public comments since he left the Browns in November. "It's a whole new chapter in my life and I'm ready to get on with it. I absolutely plan on coming back and starting for the Browns this season."

Tucker, speaking Saturday during an appearance at a gym in this Cleveland suburb, declined to discuss specifics about his illness.

"A lot of things have changed as far as medications and things like that, and I haven't had any problems," Tucker said. "Everything's been fixed."

The 10-year NFL veteran said he plans to reveal more in the future and hopes to help others who suffer from similar afflictions. When Tucker left the Browns, the team only would say his illness was not related to football and was a common disorder.

Offensive line coach Steve Marshall said he's met with Tucker and expects him to begin working out in offseason programs this week.

"My body's in great shape and I'm really excited to come back and play," said Tucker, who thanked family, friends, teammates, coaches and Browns owner Randy Lerner for supporting him. "I'm more grateful than ever and really looking forward to this season."

(source: cleveland.com)

[The_Dude]

EAST RUTHERFORD, New Jersey (Ticker) -- The New York Giants have found their replacement for Tiki Barber.

Filling a major hole in their offensive backfield created by the retirement of Barber, the Giants on Friday acquired running back Reuben Droughns from the Cleveland Browns for wide receiver Tim Carter.

A two-time 1,000-yard rusher, Droughns was made expendable in Cleveland when the team signed Jamal Lewis earlier this week.

However, the Giants will welcome Droughns with open arms since they were looking for a replacement for the 31-year-old Barber, the franchise's all-time leading rusher who is off to pursue a career in television.

"We think he gives us a nice veteran presence and complements Brandon Jacobs and the rest of our running back group nicely," Giants general manager Jerry Reese said.

Droughns, 28, was limited to 12 games due to injuries last season and rushed for 758 yards and four touchdowns. He had amassed 2,472 yards and eight touchdowns in his previous two campaigns.

A 2000 third-round pick of Detroit, Droughns has rushed for 3,327 yards and 13 TDs in 86 career games.

Carter, 27, served as the Giants' third receiver for most of last season before being elevated to the No. 2 spot when Amani Toomer went down with a knee injury. He had 22 catches for 253 yards and two touchdowns in 16 games.

"(Carter) brings five years of NFL experience and legitimate speed to our receiving corps," Browns general manager Phil Savage said. "We almost signed him last year as an unrestricted free agent, so he will be familiar with the Browns."

A 2002 second-round pick, Carter has 72 receptions for 967 yards and three touchdowns in 53 career games.

The Browns on Friday also terminated the contract of cornerback Daylon McCutcheon, who missed the entire 2006 season with a knee injury.

An eight-year veteran, McCutcheon registered 12 interceptions in eight seasons with Cleveland.

[The_Dude]

CLEVELAND (AP) -- The Browns added a pair of Smiths to their defensive line Friday.

Robaire Smith signed a four-year contract with Cleveland, which also acquired Shaun Smith after the Cincinnati Bengals declined to match an four-year offer sheet for him.

The defensive line was one of the Browns' biggest concerns this offseason and both Smiths fit in with the team's 3-4 defense.

Robaire Smith will likely be used as an end opposite Orpheus Roye and could move inside to tackle on passing downs. Shaun Smith was a backup with the Bengals who will likely play nose tackle in Cleveland.

Robaire Smith has played seven seasons with Tennessee and Houston and started 44 games the last three seasons. He's recorded 446 tackles and 17 sacks in 97 games over his career and played both end and tackle.

Robaire Smith, 6-foot-4, 314 pounds, was a sixth-round choice by Tennessee out of Michigan State in 2000. He signed with Houston after four seasons and set career-highs with 100 tackles in 2004 and 102 tackles in 2005.

The 29-year-old started only 12 games after returning to Tennessee last season, and his tackles dropped to 76 with just half a sack. He will replace free agent Alvin McKinley, who is not expected to return to the Browns.

Shaun Smith, 6-foot-2, 325 pounds, played in 13 games last year in his third season with Cincinnati and had 14 tackles.

The Bengals had until midnight Friday to match the Browns' offer for the 25-year-old.

"We wish Shaun well with his new opportunity," Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said on the team's Web site. "For our offseason and future planning, we have chosen to allocate our cap resources in a different direction."