DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum Jason McCourty in for visit.

I don't know the reason, but I think Hue has the potential to be a great leader/coach (and leader first). It's the first time I've really felt that way since ... well, never

good pick up for the money

Good under the radar that will really help the young guys

j/c:

Nathan Zegura said he thinks, although McCourty has flexibility, that the Browns will give him a shot to try and be the starting FS. Not sure if that's insider information because Zegura works out of Berea, but it's out there.

We are so young, This move will help the youngsters see a successful Vet along with Haden and they will learn from them ... Besides Greg Williams likes him ...

New Browns DB Jason McCourty blown away by team’s energy, optimism

Veteran did his homework and liked what he heard

Jason McCourty did his homework on the Browns, and it started well before he knew they’d even be an option for him.

Earlier in the offseason, McCourty caught up with Falcons wide receiver Mohamed Sanu, who played under Browns coach Hue Jackson during their time together in Cincinnati. Sanu talked positively about Jackson as both a person and coach, and McCourty filed it away.

On his free agent visit with the Browns earlier this week, McCourty worked his sources, having lunch with former teammate Kenny Britt and talking with numerous other players, young and old. On his way to the hospital for a physical, McCourty took note of an unprompted, overwhelmingly positive assessment of the team’s direction from a trainer.

The feedback was exactly what the nine-year veteran needed to hear and drove him toward his decision to sign with the Browns.

“From the top all the way down to the bottom, just being there and being within the building, you can sense how excited everyone is for the upcoming season. That meant a lot for me,” McCourty said Wednesday during an interview with Cleveland Browns Daily.

“Just being around there, especially talking to the players and the confidence they have, it let you know things are being done the right way and the right people are in place to do it.”

In announcing McCourty’s signing, Browns executive vice president of football operations Sashi Brown called McCourty a “good fit for our team” and an “asset for our defense.” His assimilation into one of the youngest groups in the NFL will be buoyed by a past relationship with defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, who spent his 2013 with the Titans as a senior assistant. And Williams won’t hesitate to put plenty on McCourty’s plate when he arrives for the start of OTAs next week.

McCourty said he will begin his Browns career at cornerback, where he’s played his entire NFL career, while also learning other positions in the defensive backfield as a way to maximize his impact. The former sixth-round pick started 90 games and amassed 517 tackles, 13 interceptions and 91 passes defensed during his eight seasons in Tennessee.

Veteran cornerbacks Joe Haden and Jamar Taylor were among the numerous players McCourty met during his visit to Berea.

“I look forward to just getting to know those guys and building a relationship with them,” McCourty said. “I think the best we can be as a secondary is if we build that chemistry together on and off the field where guys can criticize and critique one another. No one takes it personal. We just all have that common goal of coming together and being the best we can be.”

McCourty instantly becomes the most experienced member of a Cleveland secondary that could feature multiple rookies in prominent spots. First-round pick Jabrill Peppers is slotted to play strong safety, and the Browns have added four undrafted rookies since the draft as they look to bolster the depth of a group that dealt with injuries and inconsistency throughout 2016.

McCourty, a three-time captain and 2014 Walter Payton Man of the Year in Tennessee, said he’ll let his play do the talking during the early part of his Cleveland career.

“I think with how I carry myself, I'll be able to lead by example as a guy that's been around, kind of knows what it takes to prepare, knows how to take care of your body,” McCourty said. “Obviously they have guys -- Joe Thomas, Joe Haden, (Christian) Kirksey, Jamie Collins Sr. -- on that team that are proven leaders that have been around for a while.

“Just getting a chance to learn from those guys and the future opportunities where I can lead and be an example, I'll do so.”

Good 1-year pickup. Pretty much replacing that other old guy we had. lol. Can't remember his name at the moment, but he came from GB and went from CB one year to safety/nickel.

Tramon Williams

at least he's saying the right stuff. that's like 5% of it haha. We've heard this all before ... let's just hope he can cover

Signed for 2 Years hope he is here for both that would mean he is doing well ...

I wonder if he has lost a step? He ran a 4.3 40 coming out of college and he is still 29. At least till the middle of Aug when he turns 30. I would like to see the kid switched to FS

the fact that he wasn't shy about the idea made me think they at least discussed it

I believe he discussed it with Tenn last season also.

Okay, so CB and potential FS? Either way, for the $ - I like this signing.

Kinda tough to read. Here is the tweet:
https://twitter.com/EliotCrist/status/865259634680111104

j/c

More I look at this signing "free safety" makes sense. Looking at what Sashi is attempting, developing young talent, FS is one area minus a developmental guy. I thought this signing was out of place if brought on board to play corner.

Jason is versatile enough to play CB when needed. He can be the QB in the secondary knowing William's defense. Price was right.

Are we really that young in the backfield? I mean Haden is what 8-9 year vet. How long's Taylor been around? I know BBC is going on his 2nd year, i think. Now with McCourty being a 9 yr. guy like Haden, we do have a nice blend of youth and Experience.

I suppose you can view it as all the vet presence is located at the CB position and not the safety position. We just don't have that kind of game experience on the furthest back end of the team. Just like having that lack at center making line calls and deferring it to someonelse I am sure it doesn't help not having that field general in the back of the defense.

I am interested to see what Powell brings to the table he did have success at Ohio State and he did have a season with arguably the best secondary in the NFL lets see what he learned.

I think McCourty is the vet insurance policy for TC....If the FS's don't get it done he can be moved into that role because he is a natural leader and has the experience to make that switch IMO. However, if Haden goes down now we have a very solid vet CB that can maintain the status quo without messing with our overall CB rotations in all coverages.

Without knowing who else may be let go before the season starts I would say the front office did an excellent job at covering two bases at this point until we know how to properly use him.

I think it's a great signing and it shows that we are covering bases. I hope one of the young uns like Nacua can make the FS job theirs but there's lots of options in what we have now.

I think the secondary is one of the very worst--and maybe thee very worst--secondaries in the entire NFL. We don't have a legit FS. Peppers is our SS and I don't like him in coverage. Our corners get beat early in the play and give up long, long plays.

I am disappointed the Browns did not do enough to improve such a terrible unit.

I've said this since the draft as well ... FS was a HUGE need. Maybe our defense's biggest. We failed in this regard, unless McCourty or Powell turn out way better at FS than I'd expect

I wonder what woulda happened if we had signed Tony Jefferson..

Didn't the Browns try to address the S by offering Tony Jefferson offered him the most money but he went to the Ravens so it's not like they neglected it.


Ravens Safety Tony Jefferson Used 'Madden' to Help Him Make Free-Agent Decision

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/26994...-agent-decision

probably no peppers

Our jerseys are not only ugly, but they also don't help us sign free agents.

Our jerseys are ugly. They're like the Seahawks lite but in a really horrible fall color scheme instead of a distinguished highlighter with an ergonomic design color scheme.

you're correct EO ... on paper, we should be better. Pass rush should be improved, Haden should be healthier, one FS should emerge, Williams should help, etc.

If it all happens remains to be seen

https://twitter.com/dan_labbe/status/867460438962974720

Why wouldn't Collins love it here? You practice when you feel like it, you can dog it and not be held accountable, you can be a me person and be rewarded.

It's great to be a Brown. Unless you wanna win, of course.

Conjecture, over-ruled

J/C...

Jason comes off as very intelligent and excited to be here to play in Cleveland.. I enjoyed listening and watching his presser.

Presser