Shopping spree continues
Reports: Browns spend $46 million on Brown, Fuller
Posted: Tuesday February 16, 1999 09:41 AM
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Fuller agreed to sign a five-year $20.6 million contract. SCot Halleran/Allsport |
CLEVELAND (AP) -- On their fourth day of free agency, the Cleveland Browns
have agreed to terms with Browns-turned-Ravens offensive tackle Orlando Brown and Minnesota Vikings
cornerback Corey
Fuller, according to reports.
Brown agreed Monday to sign a six-year, $26 million contract Tuesday, the
Akron Beacon Journal reported.
Fuller agreed to sign a five-year, $20.6 million contract, according to
several newspaper reports Tuesday. Both players visited the Browns on
Monday, along with Minnesota defensive end Derrick Alexander.
The Browns also are close to signing Buffalo Bills linebacker Chris Spielman, according
to reports.
Team spokesman Alex Martins did not return a message seeking comment
Tuesday.
0Fuller, 27, said he wanted to stay in Minnesota but the Browns topped the
Viking's best offer of $19 million over five years, including a $4 million
signing bonus, the Star Tribune of Minneapolis reported.
"It wasn't even close," he told the newspaper. "I gave the Vikings a chance
to step up, but it wasn't even close. I had to stop messing around and make
a decision."
Fuller will receive $3 million of the signing bonus now, and the other $2
million next February.
He was one of five free-agent defensive starters for the Vikings. He had
been a starter since his rookie year in 1995 and played especially well
late last season.
"It's bittersweet, but it's part of growing up and part of taking the next
step in my life," said Fuller, who had made no secret of his desire to stay
in Minnesota. "Tell the fans I'm sorry, but this is how it goes in this
business."
Brown will get a $7.5 million signing bonus, The Baltimore Sun
reported Tuesday. The Ravens didn't want to guarantee Brown a one-year
salary of $3 million after a sub-par showing in 1998, the newspaper said.
"I'm thrilled for Orlando," said Ravens head coach Brian Billick. "I think
it's great. We have to be very careful how to allocate, whether it's a free
agency or draft picks. Cleveland has empty pockets, but we're not going to
break the bank on any certain player."
If Cleveland signs Brown, three-fifths of Cleveland's offensive line would
be set with young, experienced players. Brown, who started his career in
Cleveland as a free agent, would play right tackle, free agent signee Dave Wohlabaugh center and
Jim Pyne left guard.
Spielman had a workout and underwent a physical for the Browns on Friday at
the team's headquarters in Berea. Buffalo granted the Browns permission to
bring in Spielman, who hasn't played a down in the NFL since 1997.
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