After kicking the tires on three veteran safeties, the Carolina Panthers have made their decision.
They signed Stevie Brown on Wednesday, picking the former Giant over Donte Whitner and Major Wright.
All three have their flaws. Brown's most glaring: He's played just one season since 2013.
The 29-year-old, who was released by the Chiefs on Thursday, last suited up in a regular-season game two years ago. That was an eight-start stint with the Giants, who brought him back after he missed the 2013 season with a torn ACL.
In 2012, Brown racked up the only interceptions (8) and forced fumbles (2) of his career while Panthers' general manager Dave Gettleman looked on as the Giants' senior personnel analyst.
Brown's already had a cup of coffee in the Carolinas, spending four days with the Panthers after the Raiders cut their 2010 seventh-round pick just before the start of the 2011 season.
The Panthers did get a bit healthier this week at safety, which has become their thinnest position. Marcus Ball and Travell Dixon returned to practice, and each could play in Thursday night's preseason finale. But the Panthers remain concerned about Dean Marlowe, who's missed more than three weeks with a strained hamstring.
Before Wright's workout on Tuesday, coach Ron Rivera said:
"With Dean Marlowe and his situation right now, we can't wait."
According to a team source, Wright's workout went well, but he may not have impressed afterward on the board. Or, as it's assumed with Whitner, he may have been more expensive than Brown.