Steelers sign former Browns DE Nick Eason

PITTSBURGH (AP) -- Defensive end Nick Eason, an unrestricted free agent who played for the Cleveland Browns the past two seasons, signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Tuesday.
Eason, a fourth-round draft pick by the Browns from Clemson in 2003, was waived by Cleveland in 2004. He spent part of the 2005 season on the Denver Broncos' practice squad before rejoining the Browns late that season.
The Steelers traditionally sign players such as Eason to an NFL minimum-salary contract -- 510,000 for a player with Eason's experience. The 6-foot-3, 305-pound Eason would replace Rodney Bailey, who signed last week with the Arizona Cardinals.
Eason had 23 tackles last season. In 30 career NFL games, he has 44 tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble. Bailey had six tackles in 12 games as a backup for Pittsburgh last season.
The Steelers are continuing to host potential draft picks this week -- among them Louisville defensive tackle Amobi Okoye, a 19-year-old from Nigeria who had eight sacks last season as a senior. He began playing college football when he was 16.
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