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Reinforcements have arrived for a safety corps that is besieged by injuries. After passing a physical the New York Giants have re-signed safety Stevie Brown.
Brown originally signed with the Giants in 2012, as a journeyman safety who had spent time with the Oakland Raiders and Indianapolis Colts before signing a futures contract with New York. Brown's 2012 season was a roller coaster that saw him accumulate 76 tackles, defend 11 passes, make 8 interceptions, and force a pair of fumbles. However, the aggression he showed to generate those big plays also lead to the Giants giving up big plays of their own.
Brown picked up where he left off in the 2013 preseason, but he was quickly lost for the year, tearing an ACL while returning an interception.
Brown returned to the Giants lineup in 2014, but he struggled to find a balance between the aggression he showed in 2012 to generate game-changing plays, and the discipline to limit the big plays the Giants defense gave up. Brown was in and out of the Giants starting line-up in 2014 as the Giants searched for a functional group of safeties. Despite his struggles to start the year, Brown improved toward the end of the 2014 season and the Giants made a contract offer to the free agent, but he opted to sign with the Houston Texans instead.
The Texans released earlier this week, and speculation immediately began that the Giants would be a potential landing spot. Speculation that has been backed up by Tom Coughlin.
"We know this player well," Coughlin said. "If that player can come in here and help us then we're interested."
The Giants certainly do know Brown well, but it remains to be seen how being another year removed his ACL reconstruction and playing in Steve Spagnuolo's aggressive defense will affect Brown's game.
The details of his contract are currently unknown, and be sure to stay tuned for any new developments or corresponding roster moves.
Safety Stevie Brown has returned to the #Giants. Says he's excited to be back. pic.twitter.com/iIjttK21Eh
— New York Giants (@Giants) August 31, 2015
Victor Butler was cut to make room for Stevie Brown.
— Patricia Traina (@Patricia_Traina) August 31, 2015
Victor Butler is suspended for the first four games of the season.
Stevie Brown said he asked Texans for his release. Sounds like he will not practice until tomorrow, so today likely mental day. #NYG #Giants
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) August 31, 2015
Safety Stevie Brown expects it will take a few days for him to get up to speed. #Giants
— New York Giants (@Giants) August 31, 2015
Stevie Brown says he's healthy and ready to hit the ground running for the #Giants.
— New York Giants (@Giants) August 31, 2015