Browns sign CB Mickens

[Style]

Browns Sign Cornerback Ray Mickens

By TOM WITHERS
AP Sports Writer

August 18, 2005, 9:50 AM EDT

BEREA, Ohio -- Veteran cornerback Ray Mickens agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the Cleveland Browns on Thursday, giving the team's injury-thinned secondary some depth and experience.

Released earlier this month when the New York Jets signed free agent Ty Law, Mickens will practice with the Browns once his deal is finalized and he passes a physical and conditioning test, team spokesman Bill Bonsiewicz said.

Mickens, a nine-year veteran, spent nine seasons with the Jets. He played in New York from 1997-1999 with Browns coach Romeo Crennel, who was then the club's defensive line coach.

The Browns have been looking for help at cornerback for the past few weeks as insurance because Daylon McCutcheon has been held out of team practices during training camp with migraine headaches and dizziness. McCutcheon, who has made 80 starts since 1999, has improved but is not well enough for contact.

Cleveland's urgency for another cornerback heightened on Wednesday when Michael Lehan strained his hamstring during practice. Lehan missed six games last season with calf and hamstring injuries, and was out four games in 2003 with the same injuries.

Lehan had moved into McCutcheon's starting spot.

The 5-foot-8 Mickens is more than just a body for the Browns. A fan favorite in New York, the 32-year-old survived a succession of coaching and front-office changes as well as countless challengers who tried but couldn't take away Mickens' spot as a part-time starter and full-time nickel back.

This is a comeback season for Mickens, who missed all of 2004 after tearing a knee ligament during training camp. It was a disappointing blow for Mickens, who had filled in for injured Donnie Abraham in 2003 and recorded a career-high 75 tackles and had two interceptions in 14 starts.

Mickens missed some early practice time with swelling in his knee this summer, but was looking like the same productive player. However, when the Jets decided to sign Law, a perennial Pro Bowler with New England, Mickens was let go.

Mickens was drafted in the sixth round of the 1996 draft after playing at Texas A&M.

http://www.nynewsday.com/sports/foo...,1103116.story?coll=sns-ap-football-headlines

 

[TrueCavsFan23]

solid pickup always good to add depth in the nfl.

 

[cdt]

Nice signing, would have preferred to have Mickens replacement in Ty Law though. He looked damn good in the Lions workout video he did. I think Savage should get on the horn and contact Boulwares people, because the performance by the DL and LB's made me very nervous. A solid LB core would be Andra Davis Chaun Thompson Michael Stewart Peter Boulware. Boulware is a solid tackler with some good persuit speed. Thompson I think is the most important of any of these, his speed is great when chasing down missed assignments. He made a lot of plays for the other guys when they arm tackled their RB's. The thing I hate is our current LB's Andra Davis for one overpersues to try to head the running back off and he cuts it back and goes to the hole that is assigned to Davis yet Davis is no longer there and it leads to a 15 yard run or more. If they stayed in their spots the RB would eventually have to pick his poison and run at one of them. Hopefully Romeo's defensive genius improves our players.

 

[cavincali]

boulware already signed with the rat birds. booden played pretty well in the last game so they will compete.

 

[Slim Sheedy]

he should help us out a lot..

 

[Mac]

He will help our depth if Cutch cant get ready by the time the season starts..