Browns Make a Smart Signing in Rod Hood

The Browns made a smart signing yesterday.  The Team acquired cornerback Rod Hood who had been released by the Arizona Cardinals.

ProFootballTalk reports that Hood was a hot commodity throughout the League with strong interest from the Rams, Lions, Bengals, Bears and the Browns.  The Rams reportedly offered a deal that was declined by Hood.  And the Lions thought for sure that Rod would sign with them, according to the Detroit Free Press.

It is reported to be a one-year deal.  A short-term contract that will not break the piggy bank is refreshing.

Hood is entering his seventh year in pro football.  He spent four seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles with whom he played in Super Bowl XXXIX and the last two years with the Cards with whom he played in February’s Championship.

Hood is a durable guy.  In his two seasons in Arizona, he started in all but one regular season game.  He has been a starter in about half of his pro career playing days.  In six years, Hood has tallied 11 interceptions, 5 fumble recoveries, one sack and 201 tackles.  In 2007, Rod returned two ITs for touchdowns (one of those against our Browns).

In 2008, Hood had 40 tackles, 1 forced fumble and 1 interception.

Rod is 27 years old.  He has pretty good size at nearly six feet tall and 200 pounds.  He could be a little taller to combat the wide receivers, but he plays tough in traffic.

In addition to his durability, Rod is versatile in that he could be used to return kicks if necessary.  He did some of that with the Eagles, and in fact, one season he had an average kick return of nearly 24 yards over 38 returns.

Rod will compete for a starting position with the Browns.  The only reason that he was released by the Cards was to save cap space.  If he does not earn a starting position, he will at the very least provide some experience and depth in our secondary.

The Browns are quickly developing quite a mix of players in the secondary.  There are currently 17 defensive backs on the roster including Hood and the two draftees, Don Carey and Coye Francies.  There is a real variety of experience from Eric Wright and Brandon McDonald with two years right up to Hank Poteat with 10 years.  We have returning players, guys acquired in trades (like Abram Elam from the Jets) and free agent signings (like Corey Ivy).

We certainly have not agreed with all of the signings this off-season, but Hood appears to be a solid one.  Go Browns!

-Clayton