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By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sports writer
POSTED: 10:30 p.m. EDT, Mar 09, 2009
Browns coach Eric Mangini corrected one of last season's weaknesses today with the signing of veteran cornerback Hank Poteat from the New York Jets. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The Browns' pursuit of Poteat had gone under the radar during the first 10 days of free agency. But Cleveland's cornerback corps needed experience with '08 starters Brandon McDonald and Eric Wright both in their second seasons.
Poteat, 31, has spent eight years in the league, the last four under Mangini with the Jets and New England Patriots. Poteat signed with the Patriots for the playoffs in January 2004 and stayed there until he was waived in 2006.
A third-round draft choice of Pittsburgh in 2000, Poteat will be playing for his fifth NFL team. His career included a 2003 stint with Tampa Bay.
''Hank is a veteran corner who has played inside and outside,'' Browns General Manager George Kokinis said. ''His versatility and knowledge of the system will be an asset to our secondary.''
Poteat, 5-foot-10 and 195 pounds, has played in 94 regular-season games with 18 starts. He has four career interceptions, two each in '07 and '08.
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her Browns blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/browns/.
Browns coach Eric Mangini corrected one of last season's weaknesses today with the signing of veteran cornerback Hank Poteat from the New York Jets. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
The Browns' pursuit of Poteat had gone under the radar during the first 10 days of free agency. But Cleveland's cornerback corps needed experience with '08 starters Brandon McDonald and Eric Wright both in their second seasons.
Poteat, 31, has spent eight years in the league, the last four under Mangini with the Jets and New England Patriots. Poteat signed with the Patriots for the playoffs in January 2004 and stayed there until he was waived in 2006.
A third-round draft choice of Pittsburgh in 2000, Poteat will be playing for his fifth NFL team. His career included a 2003 stint with Tampa Bay.
''Hank is a veteran corner who has played inside and outside,'' Browns General Manager George Kokinis said. ''His versatility and knowledge of the system will be an asset to our secondary.''
Poteat, 5-foot-10 and 195 pounds, has played in 94 regular-season games with 18 starts. He has four career interceptions, two each in '07 and '08.
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her Browns blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/browns/.
Comments
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Posted 10:58 PM, 03/09/2009
MAYBE ONE DAY WE WILL BE AS GOOD AS THE JETS
Jefferson, Oh
Posted 08:10 AM, 03/10/2009
It is possible soon, the Jets will be the Browns and the Browns will be the Jets.
Akron, Oh
Posted 08:17 AM, 03/10/2009
Wow - what a move - bet the season tickets are flying out of Berea.
Posted 08:22 AM, 03/10/2009
Let's just hope he doesn't have to start. Ever.
Posted 08:23 AM, 03/10/2009
Yes and the Chiefs will become the Patriots. The draft will be interesting. It will also be interesting to watch the Chiefs progress and compare it to the Browns. It would be a look at what could have been if different people were hired for the GM and Coaching jobs. Both teams were 4-12 last year.
Posted 08:44 AM, 03/10/2009
Some people just don't understand the meaing of this move. He's a veteran CB that has played in successful 3-4 schemes.
''Hank is a veteran corner who has played inside and outside,'' Browns General Manager George Kokinis said. ''His versatility and knowledge of the system will be an asset to our secondary.''
Exactly George.
The Browns are doing the right thing with these minor signings. They plan to make their additions on draft day like you're supposed to do. Everyone cries and whines to make the Browns more like the Steelers and build through the draft.. THAT'S WHAT MANKOK IS TRYING TO DO!
Would you rather they signed a huge name for BIG $ and that person either plays terrible or gets hurt? Then they'll be stuck with his contract. SEE LeCharles Bentley.
Stop complaining and give management more than 60 days to field a team.
Posted 09:29 AM, 03/10/2009
The only free agents out there that I would like them to take a look at (if the price is right) are;
CB Leigh Bodden - DB depth is always a blessing and he's only 27.
S Roy Williams - i know his coverage sucks but he'd add toughness to our secondary. He's still young too.
WR D.J. Hackett - adding experienced WR depth is a must with Joe J.'s condition up in the air. He works the short part of the field, could open Edwards up long (if he can catch it).
LB Mike Peterson - He's getting older and was not a favorite for Jacksonville but could find his youth playing next to DQuell inside. Good run stopper and possible mentor for other LBs.
Like i said, the price must be right to sign them.
stow, oh
Posted 09:41 AM, 03/10/2009
Wasn't he good enough to play for the Patriots.As far as the season ticket holders are concerned I'm one.And I like what the Browns are doing.After the first 3 days of free agency nobody been throwing money at the current group of players.You concentrate on the draft.The Browns could make a trade before or during the draft.Then when the draft is over they'll sign some of the undrafted free agents.Then the Browns will reassess their roster and maybe cut a player or two.Then could look to sign a few more free agents to fill out their roster.The roster you see in mini camp should be the same going into training camp.
Cuyahoga Falls, OH
Posted 10:46 AM, 03/10/2009
Hot dam*n! Hank Poteat! Time to get fired up!
Yikes.
akron, OH
Posted 11:00 AM, 03/10/2009
wins will get be excited not signing a particular player,star or back-up etc.this signing is only a small piece of the puzzle.as usual most fans are idiots,signing a high profile player doesn't equal wins on a team that needs many parts.selling tickets isn't a factor for the Browns.
Posted 11:04 AM, 03/10/2009
''Hank is a veteran corner who has played inside and outside,''
Super Bowl bound? I don't think so.
Barberton, OH
Posted 11:14 AM, 03/10/2009
Once again, who cares about the name value??
As long as we're signing tough-nosed guys who put their heart and soul into the team and winning, then it shouldn't matter if this guy came from Duke Football or Ohio State, the Jets or the Bills.
Get me some Browns players in Cleveland that actually give a $%*k about winning.
Posted 11:14 AM, 03/10/2009
You're the only one who's said anything about the Super Bowl Emmi.
wadsworth, OH
Posted 11:41 AM, 03/10/2009
This team needs to build talent and depth through the draft and then when they're ready sign the big name guy(s) as the last piece of the puzzle. I'm not overly impressed with MANGINA but I will give him a chance to at least do things the right way.
wadsworth, OH
Posted 11:46 AM, 03/10/2009
Everyone needs to give MANGINA a break.....At least see how the draft turns out....The MANGINA hasn't even coached a minicamp and everyone is all over him. People need to stop being armchair GM's and give the new regime a chance to succeed.
Smethport, Pa
Posted 01:28 AM, 03/18/2009
Amen to that smarter!!
