The 26-year-old Brown spent his first four seasons with the Texans, starting 44 of a possible 64 games. He missed the final 13 contests last season because of a fractured forearm. Brown had eight passes defensed and an interception during the 2007 campaign.

"C.C. is a young veteran safety," general manager Jerry Reese said. "He is a physical player who has played a lot of football in this league in his short career. We expect him to come in and create great competition at this position and strengthen it as well."

The Giants were seeking a replacement at strong safety for starter James Butler, who is likely to leave via free agency. Butler is being courted by St. Louis, where former Giants defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo is now head coach.

"Brown is a physical player who will come down to the line of scrimmage," Coach Tom Coughlin said. "He has made the calls in the secondary and can get people lined up. With the situation that we have with James Butler, there is a need to go ahead and create the competitiveness that is necessary for everyone to reach their full potential. I think adding C.C. Brown is bringing us closer to that."

Brown is New York's fourth free-agent defensive signing, joining linebacker Michael Boley (Atlanta), plus linemen Chris Canty (Dallas) and Rocky Bernard (Seattle).