The Browns have claimed 25-year old linebacker Blake Costanzo off waivers from the Bills.  Costanzo played in all 16 games for the Bills last season and he made 15 tackles and he forced 2 fumbles.  In his two seasons in the NFL, Costanzo has played in 19 games and he has made 21 tackles and has forced 2 fumbles.  Don’t look for Costanzo to play much defense if he makes the Browns’ roster but he is a special teams ace.

The Cleveland Browns will let Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson battle it out for the starting job during this season’s training camp and preseason.  Quinn probably has the edge as he’s the Golden Boy of the future for the Browns.  Quinn doesn’t have near the arm strength of Anderson but he does seem to be way smarter as far as decision making goes.  The offense played pretty well last season in Quinn’s first two starts last season.  Derek Anderson had a rough year in 2008.  He definately looks the part as he is a big guy who can really rifle the football.  But too often it seems that Anderson tries to fit the ball into too many tight spots often resulting in turnovers.  Anderson was a Pro-Bowler in 2007 so the potential is there for a rebound.  Both Anderson and Quinn suffered from an overall poor performance out of the receiving corps which has undergone a lot of changes…..most for the better heading into the 2009 season.  Brett Ratliff will be the #3 guy for the Browns after coming over from the Jets in the Mark Sanchez trade on draft day.  Ratliff is a Eric Mangini favorite based on how well he played last season.  He could move up to the #2 spot if the Browns either trade Quinn or Anderson or if one of them get hurt.  Richard Bartel is the #4 QB for the Browns who will likely try to hide him on the practice squad in 2009.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE 2009 SEASON:  C+

The Browns have signed 28-year old OT George Foster to a 1-year contract.  Foster is a huge man at 6′5″, 338 pounds and he will likely get to battle for the starting right tackle job with John St. Clair.  Foster played in 4 games (3 starts) for the Lions last season.  Foster has now played in 68 games (57 starts) in his NFL career so he likely has the talent to make the Browns and possibly start for them in 2009.  This was a good move for the Browns.

The Cleveland Browns have signed 27-year old CB Roderick Hood to a 1-year contract.   Hood played in 15 games for the Cardinals last season and he made 40 tackles, defensed 14 passes, forced 1 fumble and he had 1 interception.  Hood will likely serve as the nickel back for the Browns this season but he has potential to step into the starting lineup if needed.  Hood has played in 87 games in his NFL career and he has made 218 tackles, defensed 63 passes, had 1 sack, forced 2 fumbles and he has intercepted 11 passes (two returned for TDs).  This was a good move for the Browns as they need all the help they can get in the secondary.

The Browns have signed 31-year old WR Mike Furrey to a 1-year deal.  Furrey is a good, versatile football player as he can literally be on the field at any time.  He has started at both safety and WR in his NFL career.  He is also a solid special teams player.  Furrey played in 9 games for the Lions last season catching 18 passes for 181 yards (10.1 avg).  He has now played in 62 games at WR in his career catching 198 passes for 2,128 yards (10.7 avg) with 7 TD grabs.  Furrey also has 61 tackles, has defensed 8 passes and he has 4 career interceptions (1 returned for a TD).  If the Browns get in a pinch Furrey could return kicks for them.  He has returned 23 punts for 213 yards (9.3 avg) and also 20 kickoffs for 375 yards (18.8 avg) in his NFL career.  Look for the Browns to have Furrey concentrate on offense where he could earn the #3 WR job with a good training camp.