Brown's Battles?

[slowkidz]

Browns to take look at free-agent safety

07/19/03

Tony Grossi
Plain Dealer Reporter


One week before the opening of training camp, the
Browns might not be satisfied with their
situation at safety.

The team confirmed it will visit Monday with
Ainsley Battles, a three-year veteran who made 15
starts at both safety positions the past two
seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Jaguars originally gave Battles, a restricted
free agent, a one-year contract tender of
$605,000. First-year Jacksonville coach Jack Del
Rio released Battles a month ago.

Battles, 5-11 and 200 pounds, also is being
pursued by Tennessee and Pittsburgh. Battles
broke in with the Steelers as an undrafted free
agent from Vanderbilt in 2000.

"From our standpoint, we think the Cleveland
situation is an awfully good one for him," said
agent Nick Davis. "I think their interest is
genuine."

The incumbent Browns starters are Robert Griffith
at strong safety and Earl Little at free safety.
Michael Jameson is a backup at both positions.

The Browns may be looking for a successor to
Chris Akins, whom they lost to New England in
free agency. Akins was a backup safety and one of
the team's core players on special teams.

It is not uncommon for the Browns to give tryouts
to veteran players so that they have video on
file and a personal knowledge if they have a
greater need later in the season. A Browns
official suggested that was the reason for
Battle's visit.

[Guttpuppy]

That D needs any help it can get.