Free-agent cornerback Jason McCourty has signed with the Cleveland Browns. The deal is for two years, as first reported by Ian Rapoport. McCourty played for the Titans since the team drafted him in 2009, but was released after the 2016 season.
Source: #Browns are expected to sign veteran CB Jason McCourty after he visited CLE Monday & today, barring a late snag. Big-time addition
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 16, 2017
Jason McCourty Signs With Cleveland Browns
Physical Skills
As far as physical cornerbacks go, McCourty might be one of the best in the game. Standing at 6’0″, he ran an official 4.3 40-yard dash. Additionally, he has become a shut-down corner for the Titans during his time with the team. Last year, he collected two interceptions and 505 total tackles. While those might not be incredible, highlight-reel style numbers, they’re very solid. As of right now, Cleveland needs “solid” at every position they can get. With the loss of newly-drafted Howard Wilson to a broken patella, the Browns are again short-handed at cornerback. However, it seems McCourty might be the one to save the day for this dismal Dawg Pound defense.
Veteran Presence
There’s no doubt about it, Gregg Williams had a huge part in this signing. During his time with the Titans, McCourty worked a lot with Williams, who now coaches the Browns. Now, does this say more about McCourty or Williams? Well, it’s really both.
Gregg Williams has a resume in the NFL that is getting increasingly hard to ignore. Outside of the years-old Bountygate scandal, Williams has been an impeccable coach. While with the New Orleans Saints, Williams played a pivotal part in bringing the Saints their first Super Bowl win. Sure, a lot of the credit goes to Drew Brees, but Williams was an integral part. Following that, Williams was an assistant coach for the Tennessee Titans in 2013. While there, he worked with and mentored McCourty, turning him into the cornerback that he is today.
Now, Jason McCourty was a sixth-round pick in 2009. Outside of Tom Brady, not a lot of sixth-rounders “make it” in the NFL. Of course, quarterback and cornerback are two very different positions. However, this doesn’t change the fact that McCourty’s development only strengthens the resume of Gregg Williams. With the two reunited in Cleveland for 2017, maybe they can give the ever-injured Joe Haden some help in the secondary.
