Spielman To Play For Browns

By CBSNews.com staff CBSNews.com staff

February 16, 1999 / 4:07 PM EST / CBS Sportsline

The new Browns are a little like that old saying about not liking the weather: wait five minutes and it will change.

But the expansion Browns seem to be moving even faster than the clouds blowing in off Lake Erie. They're shifting and reforming by the second.

On Monday, the team had its busiest shopping day yet on the free agent market, agreeing to terms with Baltimore offensive tackle Orlando Brown and Minnesota defensive back Corey Fuller.

On Tuesday, the Browns closed a deal with Buffalo for linebacker Chris Spielman, who hasn't played in 1½ years after sitting out the 1998 season to be with his wife while she was treated for breast cancer.

On top of that, the Browns are talking with 42-year-old quarterback Warren Moon while they prepare for this week's NFL college scouting combine in Indianapolis.

And if Browns fans didn't have enough to swallow, Kentucky quarterback Tim Couch, Cleveland's possible No. 1 overall pick in April's college draft, will be in town later this week.

Expansion sure is fun. It's exciting and exhausting.

"There's a great deal happening," Browns coach Chris Palmer said. "So much going on that I can't explain it to you. You just have to stay tuned."

A lot has happened in the past week. Before last Tuesday's expansion draft, Cleveland's roster consisted of about 20 no-name street free agents, many of whom don't figure to be with the team beyond summer training camp.

But the Browns spent only $18 million of their $55 million salary cap on 37 players in the expansion draft and entered the free-agent signing period with piles of cash.

They've spent some money, and now with nearly 70 players -- they can bring 90 to camp -- the Browns have some quality to go along with quantity.

Spielman, 33, doesn't exactly fit the player profile Palmer and Browns director of football operations Dwight Clark were seeking. He's at the end of his career, and he's had injury problems. But when a player of Spielman's caliber says he wants to play for your team, you bend the rules a bit.

Spielman, who is under contract with the Bills through 2000, was reportedly acquired for a low-round draft choice.

His '97 season was cut short when he had to undergo neck fusion surgery. Then last year, he chose to be with his wife, Stefanie, while she recuperated. When she lost her hair during chemotherapy, Spielman shaved his head, too.

There were some questions about the his playing future, but he had a strong workout and passed his physical with the Browns last week. Palmer came away impressed by both Spielman's condition and commitment.

said Palmer, who may see the inside linebacker as a mentor for the Browns' youngsters.

Spielman's Ohio roots instantly make him the new Browns' star. He's played every snap as if it was his last throughout his career, and stories of his workout regime as well as his pregame preparation rituals are already part of this state's football lore.

Brown, a 6-foot-7, 350-pound tackle nicknamed "Zeus," will be the second former Browns player to return to Cleveland. Last week, the Browns used their final expansion draft pick to select cornerback Antonio Langham.

Brown, who has reportedly signed a seven-year, $26 million deal, gives the Browns three young, quality offensive linemen. The 28-year-old will join guard Jim Pyne and center Dave Wohlabaugh, the former Patriot, who signed a seven-year, $26.25 million contract Saturday night.

Fuller, 27, has 10 interceptions in four seasons, including four last season for the Vikings.

Fuller had wanted to stay in Minnesota but the Browns had more to offer, $20.6 million over five years.

"It wasn't even close," Fuller said. "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."