Browns Sign Jamir Miller

May 11, 1999 / 9:29 PM EDT / AP

The expansion Cleveland Browns filled one of their thinnest positions Tuesday, agreeing to a one-year contract with unrestricted free agent outside linebacker Jamir Miller.

But Miller also comes to his new team with some old baggage a history of off-the-field legal problems that could be a concern to the Browns.

Miller, who played the last five seasons for Arizona and turned down a two-year deal from the Cardinals in March, will make $1.3 million this season and could earn an additional $900,000 with incentives.

The Browns finalized the deal on Tuesday with Miller's agent, Leigh Steinberg.

"The one-year contract allows Jamir to be in a situation where he'll certainly start and showcase himself, and if the experience in Cleveland ends up being a great one, that will lead them to renegotiate before the year's up," Steinberg told The Tribune, an Arizona newspaper. "If for whatever reason he's unsure, he'll become an unrestricted free agent."

A 1994 first-round pick out of UCLA, Miller led the Cardinals in tackles last season with 150 including 87 solos. The 6-foot-5, 266-pounder also recorded three sacks and started in all 16 games for the third straight year in 1998.

Miller should immediately move into the starting outside linebacking position for the Browns, who are planning to use a base 4-3 defense in their first year back in the league.

Miller will likely start alongside Chris Spielman and John Thierry, giving the Browns a solid linebacking corps. Lenoy Jones had been penciled in as the Browns' starter on the weak side.

"The addition of Jamir Miller fills a hole at the outside linebacking position," said Dwight Clark, Cleveland's director of football operations. "He has an outstanding combination of speed and size, and his NFL experience will enable him to provide leadership in the locker room."

Miller, 25, is the second high-profile player to leave the Cardinals for the Browns. Offensive left tackle Lomas Brown joined Cleveland earlier this year.

A potential downside for the Browns could be Miller's past off-field problems. In 1995, he violated the NFL's substance abuse policy and was suspended for the first four regular-season games of the '95 season.

Miller, who left UCLA after his junior season, also had problems in college. He was arrested for possession of a loaded firearm and later for possession of $13,000 worth of computer and stereo equipment stolen from a UCLA residence hall.

He pleaded no contest to both charges and was placed on probation.