The Cleveland Browns have signed outside linebacker Shante Orr to a 1-year deal.  Orr played in 8 games (2 starts) for the Texans & Jaguars last season and he made 12 tackles.  Orr has now played in 50 games in his NFL career and he has made 103 tackles, defensed 5 passes, has 10.5 sacks and he has forced 4 fumbles.  The Browns will use Orr on special teams and they might let him rush the passer some.  This was a good move for them.

The Browns have signed G/C Rex Hadnot to a 2-year contract.  The 26-year old Hadnot is a massive, physical player at 6′2″, 325 pounds.  Hadnot will likely move into the starting lineup as long as he can beat out Ryan Tucker.  He started all 16 games last season for the Dolphins.  He has now played in 63 games (55 starts) in his 4-year, NFL career.  The Browns have done a great job of filling needs this off-season and Hadnot was another nice piece to add to the puzzle.

The Cleveland Browns have signed WR Donte’ Stallworth to a 7-year, $35 million dollar contract.  Stallworth played in 16 games last season for the Patriots and he caught 46 passes for 697 yards (15.2 avg) with 3 TD grabs.  He has now played in 84 games in his NFL career and he has caught 279 passes for 4,213 yards (15.1 avg) with 31 TD grabs.  This was another solid move for the Browns as Stallworth has the speed to stretch the field.  This probably bumps Joe Jurevicius from the starting lineup but he will be a lethal #3 WR for the Browns.

The Cleveland Browns have acquired NT Shaun Rogers from the Lions for CB Leigh Bodden and a 3rd round pick in 2008.  Rogers is a 6′4″, 340 pound beast for the middle of the Browns Defense.  Rogers played in 16 games for the Lions last season and he made 39 tackles, had 7 sacks, defensed 3 passes and intercepted a pass that he returned an amazing 66 yards for a TD.  Rogers has now played in 98 games in his NFL career and he has made 272 tackles, has 29 sacks, defensed 21 passes, forced 4 fumbles and he has an interception.  Rogers was an outstanding addition to the Browns Defense as he will demand a double team and free up the inside linebackers to make plays in the running game.  He also will collapse the pocket up the middle at times which will put the opposing QB at risk.

Leigh Bodden has really made himself into a player in Cleveland after making the team as an undrafted free agent.  He played in 16 games last season for the Browns and he made 88 tackles, defensed 15 passes and had 6 interceptions.  Bodden has now played in 59 games in his NFL career and he has made 221 tackles, defensed 48 passes, forced 4 fumbles and intercepted 12 passes.  He will be missed but the Browns needed to make this move to improve the run defense.  Throwing in a third round pick in this deal means that the Browns will not pick until the 4th round in next months NFL Draft.

The Browns have decided to place LeCharles Bentley on the Injured Reserve List as he’s still trying to recover from knee injuries.  I feel bad for Bentley who wanted to play for the Browns his whole career and jumped at the chance to sign with them as a  free agent.  Hopefully Bentley will be able to return in 2008.