Cleveland, welcome home former Glenville and Ohio State star Donte Whitner.According to multiple reports, Whitner has agreed to a four-year, $28 million deal to return home and play for the orange and brown.
Whitner, 28, who may or may not be changing his last name to Hitner this offseason, will have to immediately step in and replace former safety T.J. Ward, who signed with the Denver Broncos earlier this evening.
Whitner is arguably one of the hardest-hitting safeties in the league and was known as the leader of a 49ers secondary that finished top-ten last season.
He, like Ward, is an aggressive, ball-hawking safety that will occasionally get beat in coverage, but will also deliver a blow that will leave you feeling woozy for days.
It's not immediately known exactly how much of Whitner's contract is guaranteed, but I would say it's going to fairly substantial.
The Browns also signed Karlos Dansby, formerly of the Arizona Cardinals and Miami Dolphins, to a four-year deal worth about $6 million per season, with $10 million guaranteed.
Dansby, 32, will have to step in for former mainstay D'Qwell Jackson, who signed a four-year deal with the Indianapolis Colts.
Dansby will bring a physical presence to the inside linebacker position while also being mobile enough to drop into coverage.
The deal is a bit surprising, given the age of Dansby, but the Browns are banking on the thought that he'll be able to replicate his 2013 season over the next few years. Dansby finished 2013 with 114 solo tackles and 6.5 sacks. He also recorded 4 interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns.
Both Dansby and Whitner will play a huge role on the Browns defense next season, and have to provide this young roster with the leadership and experience they both possess.
I like both signings, but the Browns had to make these moves. I don't think we gained all that much from a year ago, but we also didn't lose anything. Hopefully the Browns have a bit more up their sleeve.
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