Giants sign former Browns OL Barry Stokes

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- The New York Giants signed former Cleveland Browns offensive lineman Barry Stokes on Sunday.

The signing came a week after New York signed Shaun O'Hara, who also played for the Browns.

"He's excited and I'm excited," Stokes said of playing with O'Hara again. "I think it's important to go to a team that has great chemistry on the offensive line. When I was at the stadium and I saw those guys working out, I could see they're a close-knit group."

Stokes, a 6-foot-4, 310-pounder, started 13 games at left tackle last season and 17 the year before at left guard, including a playoff game. He also played for Giants coach Tom Coughlin in Jacksonville.

"Tom Coughlin knows my work ethic," the six-year veteran said. "I'm excited to play for him. I've never been scared of hard work. I want to be somewhere where the head coach can take you all the way."

The Giants' offensive line was decimated by injuries last season. Left guard Rich Seubert missed half the season with a broken leg and left tackle Luke Petitgout was sidelined at different times with a back problem.

Petitgout is expected back, but Seubert may not be ready for the start of the season, Coughlin said.

Chris Bober, who started at both center and tackle last season for the Giants, signed with Kansas City as a free agent on Saturday. O'Hara is expected to start at center this year.

Stokes spent three seasons mostly with the Green Bay Packers before joining the Browns in 2002. He made his NFL debut with Miami in 1998 after spending time on the Jaguars, Rams and Dolphins practice squads from 1996-98.

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