CLEVELAND — Jadeveon Clowney will chase quarterbacks and a Super Bowl title with the Browns.
The dynamic free agent defensive end signed a one-year, $10 million contract with Cleveland on Wednesday, joining All-Pro end Myles Garrett on the defensive line and a team looking to go deeper in the playoffs this season.
Clowney, the No. 1 overall pick in 2014, hasn’t always played up to his reputation. He also has dealt with numerous injuries, but Browns General Manager Andrew Berry has been intrigued by him for two years and Clowney visited the team Wednesday for the second time in recent weeks. The sides agreed to a deal after he completed a medical exam.
“We love his relentless style of play,” Berry said. ”He’s one of the more disruptive players in the game and we think he’s going to add an element of ruggedness along our defensive line and will pair nicely with many of the guys we have on the roster already. The other thing we love about Jadeveon is his versatility, his ability to play all across the front and impact the game regardless of his alignment.”
The Browns have spent this offseason upgrading their defense, making Clowney, a three-time Pro Bowler, their signature move. His addition may have an impact on what they do in the upcoming draft; Cleveland’s biggest need had been an edge rusher to complement Garrett. The Browns, who made it to the second round of the postseason in 2020, will be Clowney’s fourth team in four years.
The Browns will put Clowney on the opposite side of their defensive line from Garrett, giving Cleveland two disruptive ends capable of making big plays. The 28-year-old Clowney has 32 career sacks in 83 games. He had 9 1/2 sacks in 2017 and nine in 2018. By comparison, Garrett has 42 1/2 sacks in 51 games.
AARON DONALD: A lawyer and his 26-year-old client told Pittsburgh police Wednesday that Los Angeles Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald and others assaulted the man at a nightclub last weekend, causing multiple injuries
Attorney Todd J. Hollis said his client, De’Vincent Spriggs, needed 16 stitches and suffered a broken orbital bone in his head, a broken nose and a sprained or broken arm at a bar on East Carson Street in the city’s South Side.
“We believe there was a misunderstanding that Mr. Spriggs bumped into Mr. Donald and Mr. Donald escalated the matter, leading to my client’s assault moments later,” Hollis said.
Hollis said Spriggs, who lives in another state, was taken by a friend to a hospital for treatment. The alleged attack occurred around 3 a.m. Sunday, he said. Hollis released a photo that showed Spriggs with facial injuries and swelling. Hollis and Spriggs filed a criminal complaint with Pittsburgh police on Wednesday.
Pittsburgh police confirmed they were reviewing an assault complaint they received Wednesday. Police do not name suspects or the accused unless charges are filed. The department said it will consult with prosecutors who will decide if charges are warranted. It wasn’t immediately clear how many others Spriggs believed attacked him.
Donald, 29, was named the Associated Press NFL defensive player of the year in February, the third time he has received the distinction. He played college football at the University of Pittsburgh.
GIANTS: The New York Giants waived cornerback Ryan Lewis, a little more than two weeks before the draft.
The Giants added cornerback Adoree Jackson in free agency. The other defensive backs on the roster are James Bradberry, Darnay Holmes, Julian Love, Isaac Yiadom, Sam Beal, Madre Harper, Logan Ryan, Jabrill Peppers, Xavier McKinney, Joshua Kalu, Chris Milton, Montre Hartage, Jarren Williams and Quincy Wilson.
Lewis was signed to the practice squad before the start of the 2020 season. His first game was in Week 3 against the San Francisco 49ers. Lewis started three games before being placed on injured reserve on Nov. 6. He had 13 tackles and one pass breakup.
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