Written by Rich Swerbinsky

---

ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli has just reported that the Browns have come to terms with free agent outside linebacker Willie McGinest on a three year deal worth twelve million dollars.

McGinest was a cap casualty of the Patriots after spending the last twelve seasons there. Romeo Crennel was a Pats assistant for seven of those seasons, eventually becoming the teams defensive coordinator.

After being rebuffed by Detroit's Kalimba Edwards, the Browns moved quickly in wooing McGinest, who the team had expressed interest in early on after finding out he would be released in New England. McGinest is 34 years of age, but is still playing at a very high level. He is very accustomed to playing outside linebacker in the 3-4 defense, and has made a living getting to the quarterback, which was an achilles heel of the Browns last season.

Somewhat surprisingly, the Browns came out of the gates and addressed the offense early in free agency with the signings of LeCharles Bentley, Joe Jurevicius, Kevin Shaffer, and Bob Hallen. Now Phil Savage has also plugged two of the biggest holes on the team defensively with the signings of veterans Ted Washington and Willie McGinest.

McGinest has 78 career sacks, which includes 15.5 the past two seasons. He will start at one of the team's outside linebacker spots, joining Andra Davis and Chaun Thompson as likely starters at linebacker.