It’s official. The new regime led by Mike Holmgren has coaxed two free agents to Cleveland.
The team has announced the acquisition of tackle Tony Pashos and linebacker Scott Fujita.
“We are extremely happy that we were able to get Scott and Tony signed so quickly,” G.M. Tom Heckert said in a team-issued release. “They are two players we had targeted from the start of free agency. Both are smart, tough and physical -- the type of players that the Browns are looking for.
“Scott possesses tremendous size for a linebacker, and this will allow him to play inside or outside in our 3-4 defense. He has been a starter throughout his career, has been exposed to several different defensive schemes and has been successful in all of them. He is a great leader and played a big part in the success that the Saints achieved last year.
“We like the fact that Tony has started a lot of games in this league, and has been a part of some productive offenses with Baltimore and Jacksonville. Although he’s started at right tackle, he has the versatility to play inside as well, and he will come in and compete at both tackle and guard with us.”
Though neither player is young -- Fujita is 30 and Pashos will join him there on August 3 -- the obvious goal is to look for ways to improve the team in the short-term, and to provide strong leadership to young players who will be the nucleus of the roster in the future. Fujita, with his brand-new Super Bowl ring, can do just that.
