BEREA —Tight end was a position of weakness for the Browns in 2009, but they hope Ben Watson will fix that.

Watson, an unrestricted free agent, signed a three-year contract Friday morning reportedly worth $12 million, including $6.35 guaranteed. He spent his first six seasons with the Patriots, starting 47 of 71 games with 167 catches for 2,102 yards and 20 touchdowns.

The struggles at tight end last season were obvious after veteran Steve Heiden was placed on injured reserve with an ankle injury. Heiden, who was the second-longest-tenured Brown behind kicker Phil Dawson, was released Friday, hours after Watson signed.

Heiden got the call in Minnesota.

“It’s always a surprise,” agent Jack Wirth said. “But it’s part of the business. It’ll work out for the best. He’ll be fine.”

Wirth said Heiden will continue his career into a 12th season. The ankle has healed and Heiden planned on starting an offseason workout program Monday at Browns headquarters.

Heiden joined the Browns in 2002 in a trade with San Diego. The Browns gave up a seventh-round pick in what became one of the best moves of the expansion era. Heiden started 70 games with Cleveland and was valued by three coaching staffs for his dependability on and off the field.

He ended 2008 on IR after suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament in December, but fought back from surgery to return in time for the 2009 opener. He had 10 catches for 73 yards and a touchdown before the ankle injury after seven games in 2009.

Watson, 29, should step into a starting role.

“We viewed Ben as one of the top all-around tight ends in the free agent market,” general manager Tom Heckert said in a news release. “Because of his athleticism and intelligence, he has proven valuable as both a receiver and blocker during his career, and has performed well in both facets. He comes from a winning program in New England and possesses the traits that we like in a player.”

The Browns were unable to fill the hole at tight end created when Kellen Winslow was traded in the 2009 offseason. Robert Royal was the primary starter, but caught just 11 passes for 134 yards and a touchdown, going five straight games without a catch. The rest of the unknowns and journeymen —Michael Gaines, Greg Estandia, Evan Moore —combined for 21 catches and a touchdown.

Watson (6-foot-3, 255 pounds) was the 32nd pick in the 2004 draft out of Georgia. His most productive year was 2006, when he caught 49 passes for 643 yards and three touchdowns. He had a career-high six TDs in 2007. Last year, he played 16 games with seven starts, totaling 29 catches for 404 yards and five scores.

Seattle was reportedly also interested in Watson, but his ties to Browns coach Eric Mangini and offensive coordinator Brian Daboll helped get a deal done. Both were assistants in New England during Watson’s stay.
Watson is the third free agent to sign with the Browns, joining linebacker Scott Fujita and offensive lineman Tony Pashos. All three have experience and size.

The Browns aren’t done making moves. Quarterback Jake Delhomme and running back Justin Fargas visited Thursday but left without deals. Fargas visited Philadelphia on Friday but isn’t expected to get a deal from the Eagles. Delhomme will reportedly visit the Saints, and his landing spot could depend on the Browns’ willingness to give him an opportunity to start.

The Browns kept one of their restricted free agents Friday, as linebacker Jason Trusnik signed a one-year contract. The Browns placed a second-round tender on him worth $1.684 million, and he chose to sign it rather than wait for offers from other teams.

Trusnik (6-4, 250) attended Nordonia High School and was undrafted out of Ohio Northern. He was acquired from the Jets in October in the Braylon Edwards trade. He started 10 of 12 games with the Browns —the first starts of his three-year career —spending time outside and inside and totaling 54 tackles and 2½ sacks.

Contact Scott Petrak at (440) 329-7253 or spetrak@chroniclet.com.

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