NFL Browns sign free agent LB Matt Stewart

Former No. 1 pick Courtney Brown is being wooed by the Redskins.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
CLEVELAND -- The Browns signed free agent linebacker Matt Stewart to a three-year contract Tuesday, giving coach Romeo Crennel another option for his defensive scheme.
Stewart, 25, started every game last season for the Atlanta Falcons, finishing second on the team with 89 tackles. He also made seven stops in their two postseason games.
Crennel is switching Cleveland's defensive scheme to a 3-4 this season, making linebackers an even more important commodity.
"Matt was somebody that we identified early on in the free agent process as someone we would like to have," Browns general manager Phil Savage said in a release. "He can play either the outside or the inside linebacker position, which will provide us with some versatility as we transition into the 3-4."
The 6-foot-3, 232-pound Stewart, a native of Columbus, played outside linebacker for the Falcons last season.
Re-signed Taylor
The Browns also re-signed free agent linebacker Ben Taylor to a one-year contract on Tuesday. He started eight games in 2003, and began last season as the club's starting weakside linebacker before hurting a chest muscle and undergoing surgery.
He has played in just 23 games -- 10 starts -- since being drafted in the fourth round in 2002.
The Browns lost linebacker Kevin Bentley in free agency. They nontendered the restricted free agent and he agreed to terms with Seattle last week.
Redskins courting Courtney
The Washington Redskins made the first overtures to Courtney Brown, with coach Joe Gibbs flying to Cleveland on Tuesday to try to woo the one-time top draft pick who was cut by the Browns on Monday.
Within hours after Brown's release, Gibbs and defensive line coach Greg Blache had dinner with the oft-injured defensive end and his wife.
Cleveland has said it would like to re-sign the No. 1 pick in the 2000 draft, who was released a day before he was due a $2.5 million roster bonus. If Brown were to join the Redskins, he would be reunited with his Penn State teammate, linebacker LaVar Arrington, who was taken with the second overall pick that year and also has been plagued by injuries.
If Washington acquires Brown, the team will have the top three picks from that draft: Brown, Arrington and tackle Chris Samuels.
Vikings sign wide receiver
In another development Tuesday, Minnesota signed wide receiver Travis Taylor, a disappointment with Baltimore after being taken 10th overall in 2000. It probably put an end to any chance Plaxico Burress will end up with the Vikings, one of the few teams that had some interest in the player thought to be the most sought receiver in free agency.
Pro Bowl left tackle Orlando Pace wrapped up a two-day visit with the Houston Texans, the first step of a process that could eventually lead to a trade with St. Louis.
With most of the top players in free agency already signed, there were some lesser contract agreements Tuesday.
Other action
Tight end Anthony Becht, a late first-round pick in 2000, signed with Tampa Bay, leaving the New York Jets. The Bucs are hoping his blocking helps their run game.
Offensive tackle Stockar McDougle signed with Miami. McDougle had been Detroit's starting right tackle.
Arizona signed former Seattle linebacker Orlando Huff.
Jacksonville re-signed wide receiver Troy Edwards and running back Chris Fuamatu-Maafala, both former Pittsburgh Steelers.
Green Bay, which lost starting guards Marco Rivera and Mike Wahle, re-signed lineman Grey Ruegamer and safety Todd Franz.
The New York Giants released defensive end Keith Washington, the second veteran defensive lineman they've let go in two days; they cut Norman Hand on Monday.