To the credit of defensive coordinator Mel Tucker, the Browns are getting a lot of mileage out of Santonio Thomas and Louis Leonard -- neither expected to play significant roles at the start of the year.



(blog.celeveland.com)

The Cleveland Browns have placed DE Robaire Smith on Reserve-Injured and have signed DE Santonio Thomas, the club announced today.

Smith, 6-4 and 310 lbs., suffered an Achilles injury Sunday night against the Steelers in the third quarter and did not return. In two games this season, Smith started both contests at right end and totaled six tackles. Last season he led the club among defensive linemen with 64 tackles and ranked tied for second with four sacks.

Thomas, 6-4 and 305 lbs., has spent the previous three seasons with the New England Patriots mainly on the practice squad. Thomas entered the league in 2005 as an undrafted rookie free agent out of Miami (Fla.) and spent the 2005 and 2006 season on the Patriots’ practice squad. Last season, Thomas appeared in four games with the Patriots and finished the year on the practice squad.

SANTONIO THOMAS
97
Defensive Line
Height: 6-4
Weight: 305
College: Miami (Fla.)
Birthdate: July 2, 1981
How Acquired: FA – ‘08
Year with Browns: 1st
Year in NFL: 2nd

Games Played/Started: 2005 (0/0, 0/0); 2006 (0/0); 2007 (4/0, 0/0).

Career Totals: 4 games, 0 starts.

(browns247.com)

The Boston Globe reports the Atlanta Falcons worked out DL Santonio Thomas earlier this week.

(ffmastermind.com)

The Patriots yesterday signed Santonio Thomas off their practice squad earning a promotion.
(boston.com)