Bobby Engram caught the most passes in one season of any receiver in Seahawks history under Mike Holmgren.

Now, he's catching a chance to continue his NFL career.

The Cleveland Browns announced Thursday they signed Engram. That gives Engram a chance to earn a roster spot after he was released by Kansas City last year after appearing in only five games.

Engram's departure from Seattle was an unfortunate one because he was a player who was so darn productive. Think about all the money Seattle has piled up in wide receivers over the past four years, doling out millions to Nate Burleson, Deion Branch and T.J. Houshmandzadeh.

And in spite of all that, it was Engram who caught 94 passes in 2007, setting the franchise record. And even that season, Engram's return was no slam dunk. He had suffered from a thyroid condition in 2006 that derailed his season and then he became a free agent. The Saints were very interested, and the Seahawks' interest was due largely to Holmgren's insistence to the front office that this was a valuable and important player.

So Engram returned on a two-year deal and after those 94 receptions he wanted a raise, which is understandable. The Seahawks, however, were not willing to discuss anything beyond adding one additional year to his contract, pointing at his age (at the time he was 35).

Engram sat out a chunk of voluntary workouts, and after the 2008 season concluded, he became a free agent again.

Free agency has been a boost to player salaries across the league. The open market has provided a measuring stick for a player's worth, and those free agents who feel undervalued or overlooked by their former employer have a means to redress that.

Just one problem. Engram was in a situation that so many dependable, productive veterans find themselves in once they reach their mid-30s. They are more valuable to their team to anyone else in the league. Nobody else is going to see a 35-year-old receiver as a building block, and without another team bidding, he lacked the crowbar to force Seattle to increase its offer.

The Seahawks weren't going to offer him a top-of-the-line contract. Not like the deal it signed T.J. Houshmandzadeh for, and so Engram ended up going to Kansas City where he caught just five passes.

Now, he's getting a chance to work his way back into the league with the coach who took a chance on him eight years ago.