Giants Sign Free-Agent Kicker Josh Brown; Lawrence Tynes Era Likely Over
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The Giants signed free-agent kicker Josh Brown to a one-year deal on Wednesday.
The signing means that the Lawrence Tynes era in East Rutherford is likely over.
Brown kicked for the Seahawks from 2003-2007 before signing with the Rams in 2008. He remained in St. Louis until 2011. He was cut in April of 2012 and signed with the Jets a month later. He competed for the starting job but ultimately was beaten out by Nick Folk. After being released by Gang Green, he kicked for the Bengals for part of last season.
Brown made 11 field goals and eight extra points for Cincinnati in 2012. For his career, the veteran has 231 field goals and 310 extra points in 10 seasons.
"It's a great opportunity for me, an opportunity to be part of a very storied franchise," Brown said, according to The Star-Ledger. "I'm excited."
Big Blue signed former Cowboys placekicker David Buehler last month, and the duo of kickers will compete this summer to see who replaces Tynes as the starter.
"(Brown) is an experienced, proven kicker in this league," general manager Jerry Reese said.
The GM added that there will be "great competition" between Buehler and Brown.
"(I will) bring a lot of opportunities to score from a great distance," Brown said.
His career-long field goal is 58 yards.
As for kicking in the nasty New Jersey weather? Brown isn't too worried about that.
"I do just fine," he said, according to the New York Daily News. "I did real well in Cincinnati last year and I did real well in Seattle when I was there for those five years. I practice in the rain and wind a lot. It's something you've got to get used to and learn how to kind of manipulate it. So, (it's) learning how to deal with it."
Tynes' five-year, $7 million contract was up following the 2012 season. In six years with the Giants, he made 82.8 percent of his field-goal attempts.
Who are you picking to win the Josh Brown-David Buehler competition in camp? Sound off with your thoughts and comments below...
