NFL: Browns give LB Fujita, OL Pashos multiyear deals
Associated Press
CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Browns signed linebacker Scott Fujita and offensive lineman Tony Pashos, both unrestricted free agents, to multiyear contracts Sunday.
Fujita is an eight-year veteran who helped lead the New Orleans Saints to a Super Bowl victory over the Indianapolis Colts last month. He has 19 sacks, five interceptions, nine forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in eight seasons with Kansas City, Dallas and New Orleans.
“Scott possesses tremendous size for a linebacker, and this will allow him to play inside or outside in our 3-4 defense,” general manager Tom Heckert said in a statement. “He has been a starter throughout his career, has been exposed to several different defensive schemes and has been successful in all of them.”
A fifth-round draft pick in 2002, Fujita was a walk-on safety at the University of California before moving to linebacker.
Pashos (PAH’-shohs) has played seven NFL seasons, including last year with the San Francisco 49ers. He was a fifth-round pick of Baltimore in 2003 and has started 55 NFL games at right tackle with the Ravens, Jacksonville Jaguars and 49ers.
“Although he’s started at right tackle, he has the versatility to play inside as well,” Heckert said, “and he will come in and compete at both tackle and guard with us.”
Terms of the contracts were not disclosed.
The Browns finished last season 5-11 and missed the playoffs.