Giants' Free Agency 2014: OT Charles Brown signed by Giants

The New York Giants continued to add veteran players for depth on Tuesday, announcing the signing of former New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Charles Brown.

Brown, who turns 27 in a few days, played four years for New Orleans after being selected in the second round in 2010 (64th overall).  Brown has 22 starts in 37 career games. He started eight games at right tackle in 2011 and 2012, and started 14 games at left tackle for the Saints in 2013.

Brown struggled at left tackle last season, scoring a -9.2 Pro Football Focus grade. He was -13.6 in pass protection, allowing seven sacks in 974 snaps. He was benched after a Week 15 game against the St. Louis Rams during which he scored a -5.4, allowing two sacks, two quarterback hits, a hurry and taking two penalties. As a right tackle in 2012 he was +1.0 in 124 snaps.

Brown is the fourth free-agent offensive lineman signed by the Giants this offseason, joining Geoff Schwartz, J.D. Walton and John Jerry. Both Brown and Jerry would seem to be at least short-term insurance for Will Beatty, whose status in uncertain after he suffered a broken leg in the 2013 season finale.

These two links from SB Nation's Saints' web site, Canal Street Chronicles, are not encouraging:

March Madness Bracket for Most Hated Saints Person Ever: Heath Shuler vs. Charles Brown - Canal Street Chronicles

Charles Brown is Best Available Free Agent - Canal Street Chronicles

Here are a couple of quick reactions to the signing, courtesy of Twitter.

@giantswfan @Patricia_Traina I like the Charles Brown signing. He's like a younger Sean Locklear & can resurrect his career w/ NYG

— Roman Oben (@R_Oben) April 1, 2014

#NYG contingency plan up front offensively last season relied on inexperienced potential. Added NFL experience like Jerry, Brown b/c of that

— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) April 1, 2014