C.C.

Brown

Brown has predictably garnered no interest on the open market since the Lions let him walk in free agency. He has been one of the worst safeties in the league in terms of pass defense over the last couple years. The Jags’ secondary is in desperate straits.

Coach Jim Schwartz must not have liked what he saw from Marquand Manuel, Marvin White and Daniel Bullocks earlier this week. The Lions have the worst strong safety situation in the league; unfortunately, Brown isn’t necessarily an upgrade. He was abused in coverage with the Giants last season.

Continuing to opt for quantity over quality, the Lions now have seven safeties on their offseason roster. Brown, 27, is a solid run defender, but may have been the worst safety in the league last year when it came to covering tight ends and receivers. The Lions will be in trouble if he wins a starting job.

Marvin White was No. 2 on the depth chart, and Daniel Bullocks ran with the third team. The trio must have failed to impress because C.C. Brown was signed right after the minicamp. All four safeties are on the roster bubble.

Brown beat out second-year pro Glenn Earl for the job. Earl missed much of camp with a separated shoulder but is now healthy.

The Louisiana-Lafayette product was the MVP of the Hula Bowl. He received a $75,300 signing bonus.

McCleon played the position with St. Louis early in his career. The Texans hope he or Von Hutchins will emerge as a starter so C.C. Brown can move to his more natural in-the-box spot on the strong side to battle Glenn Earl.

Earl isn’t a great player by any means, but his loss hurts a young Houston secondary. The team will likely move C.C. Brown to his spot and allow Jason Simmons, Von Hutchins, and Brandon Harrison to battle in center field. Earl will enter a contract year in 2008 coming off a career-threatening injury.

Brown, who’s played out of position at free safety the last few years, could increase his 2008 restricted free agent market value with better statistics. Von Hutchins and Jason Simmons will work at the free spot for now.

This could change if Michael Boulware comes around, but for now Von Hutchins is manning the free spot and did well in Sunday’s win. Playing the strong side should translate to more tackle opportunities for Brown.