Geoff Schwartz – New to Giants. Video of recent press conference

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – The Giants are serious about creating competition on their offensive line.

Today they signed Charles Brown, the fourth offensive lineman they’ve added since the NFL free agency signing period began three weeks ago. The others were guard Geoff Schwartz (Kansas City), center J.D. Walton (Washington) and guard/tackle John Jerry (Miami). Schwartz, Jerry and Brown all started at least seven games in 2013.

Brown, 6-5 and 300 pounds, started the season’s first 14 games at left tackle last season for the New Orleans Saints. He was replaced late in the year by rookie Terron Armstead.

In four years in New Orleans, Brown played in 37 games with 22 starts – 14 at left tackle, seven at right tackle and one as an extra tight end. Last season was the only one in which he played all 16 games. He did not play in either of the Saints’ postseason games.

Brown was a second-round draft choice from USC by the Saints in 2010, the 64th overall selection. As a rookie, he played in three games and was inactive for 13, plus a playoff game.

In 2011, Brown played in eight games with five starts at right tackle, before going on injured reserve on Nov. 2 with a hip pointer. The following year, he played in 10 games with three starts, but again finished the season on I.R., this time with a knee injury.

Brown played in 48 games with 27 starts at USC. As a senior in 2009, he started all 13 contests at left tackle and received All-America and first-team All-Pac 10 team honors.

Brown is the 12th free agent who played elsewhere last season to be signed by the Giants this offseason. In addition to the four offensive linemen, the Giants have added cornerbacks Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, Walter Thurmond and Zack Bowman, safety Quinton Demps, wide receiver Mario Manningham, return specialist Trindon Holliday, linebacker Jameel McClain and running back Rashad Jennings.

The Giants have also retained 10 of their own free agents – linebackers Jon Beason, Spencer Paysinger and Mark Herzlich, cornerback Trumaine McBride, safety Stevie Brown, kick Josh Brown, quarterback Curtis Painter, running back Peyton Hillis, fullback Henry Hynoski and defensive tackle Mike Patterson.