Mosley Defects to Cleveland

Backup defensive lineman C.J. Mosley signed with Cleveland to reunite with Eric Mangini over the weekend.

In an attempt to shore up their defensive line, the Cleveland Browns have signed a player familiar to new coach Eric Mangini.

Defensive lineman C.J. Mosley signed with the Browns on Friday. He spent the past three seasons with the New York Jets, where he played for Mangini, formerly the head coach, along with several of Mangini's assistants who are also now with the Browns.

Mosley is not strong enough at the point of attack to be anything more than a rotational player. He cannot fight through double teams on a consistent basis. His best fit is not in a two gap 3-4. It is as a three technique in the 4-3, where he would get one on one matchups. However, he is an effective pass rusher and was reasonably productive as a sub on passing downs in Gang Green's 3-4. The Jets just saw their defensive line depth take a hit as a result of this signing. Perhaps the reason New York did not  make more of an effort to retain Mosley was a similar player in Mike Devito already occupies a roster spot, and a better run stopper is needed off the bench.

In any event, Mosley remains a monument to Mike Tannenbaum's effective stint as a general manager. The Jets got C.J. in a trade for Brooks Bollinger. To repeat, Gang Green got something effective for a lousy quarterback.