Ron Brown Agrees to Tryout, 1-Year Contract With Rams

With nowhere else to run, former track star and receiver Ron Brown agreed to a 1-year contract with the Rams and will rejoin the team early next week for a 2-week tryout, his agent, Steve Arnold, confirmed Friday.

Brown, who retired from football last April, will reportedly receive a pro-rated salary of $220,000 for the remainder of the season, provided he makes the team.

Brown had no other option but to return to the Rams after the team failed to trade him before last Tuesday’s deadline. Brown, who played 4 seasons with the Rams, had turned down a trade with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in training camp.

Brown retired last spring after contract negotiations broke down with the Rams. Brown, who had played out his contract, had sought a hefty increase from last year’s $200,000 salary. Instead, he settles for the mandatory 10% increase, pro-rated over games played.

The Rams will receive a 2-week roster exemption for Brown. Ram Coach John Robinson, however, said Brown’s return will be treated as a tryout and he would have to earn a roster spot.

Ram Notes

The Rams won’t make a roster decision about linebacker Mel Owens (sprained ankle) until today. Owens, injured in practice before last week’s Atlanta game, said that the ankle “didn’t feel that good.” A Reminder: If Ron Brown fails in his tryout with the Rams, he becomes a free agent, able to sign with any team that wants him.