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 Browns have signed Scott Player.  Starting punter Dave Zastudil has an injured oblique muscle to add to his bad back so he might not be available for the Raiders game.  In his first start last week, Zastudil punted the ball 2 times for 86 yards (43.0 avg) and he pinned the Bengals inside the 20-yard line once.  Player played in 15 games last season for the Cardinals and he punted 66 times for 2,965 yards (44.9 avg).  He had a net average of 37.7 yards per punt and he also placed 18 of his punts (27.3%) inside the opposing 20 yard line.  To make room for Player the Browns have released punter/kicker Paul Ernster.  Ernster punted the ball 7 times against the Steelers and he averaged 36.6 yards per punt.

The Browns signed Paul Ernster on Saturday and started him Sunday against the Browns due to a back injury to starter Dave Zastudil.  All I can say is the Browns better hope Zastudil can return soon.  Ernster punted the ball 7 times for 256 yards (36.6 avg) and he pinned the Steelers inside their 20-yard line 2 times.  Still, he shanked a punt in the first quarter that directly led to Steelers points and that is just not acceptable in the NFL.  The Browns cut reserve CB Jereme Perry to make room on the roster for Ernster.  The Browns also released special teams ace Mason Unck after agreeing on an injury settlement.  He had a knee injury.