Stevie

Brown

An undrafted but impressive rookie out of Michigan last year, Brown racked up 13 special teams tackles and saw action as Oakland’s third safety. A solid 6-foot and 215 pounds, Brown ran 4.51 at his 2010 Pro Day. He shouldn’t struggle to win the third safety job behind Sherrod Martin and Charles Godfrey.

The one person who didn’t want Mitchell cut? You guessed it, Al Davis. Davis didn’t want to admit the team made a mistake in taking Mitchell five rounds too early in the 2009 draft. Brown had an impressive camp, but all indications are he was doomed to begin with.

The No. 251 overall pick showed a penchant for making plays in 15 games, starting one. Brown recorded 30 tackles with two passes defensed, mostly in substitution packages. His emergence could push veteran Hiram Eugene off the roster.

Brown, who’d been on Oakland’s practice squad, will step in as the team’s No. 5 safety. Pears will be the No. 4 tackle behind Langston Walker, Mario Henderson, and Khalif Barnes.

This is the second week in a row that the Raiders have signed Brown and released Pears. Brown recorded a special teams tackle in Week 2.

Despite being shuttled back and forth between the practice squad and active roster, Brown has appeared in 2-of-3 games and recorded three tackles on defense. LB Alex Joseph was signed to take Brown’s practice squad spot.

Brown starred as an undersized linebacker at Michigan the past two seasons, but he’s cut out for safety in the NFL. The Raiders may have found a late-round steal, as coach Tom Cable noted that Brown “jumped out” at times during spring practices.

Brown was active as a special teamer last Sunday after being signed of the practice squad the day before. He’ll return to the practice squad if he clears waivers.

This one came in late, as the Raiders were apparently divided on whether to cut Brown after a terrific training camp or keep second-round pick Michael Mitchell despite inferior practice performance. Al Davis had his way, and the seventh-round rookie Brown was sent packing. If Brown doesn’t get claimed on waivers, he should find a place on Oakland’s practice squad.

Brown, 24, also drew interest from the Bengals after the Colts opted against tendering him as an exclusive rights free agent. Brown isn’t much of a safety prospect, but the Giants will give him a chance to win a spot on special teams.