Miami Herald: Rams agree to terms with C Jason Brown

[Nick]

Center Jason Brown, St. Louis Rams agree to deal
BY JEFF DARLINGTON
jdarlington@MiamiHerald.com
Posted on Friday, 02.27.09

In what should no longer be a surprise to anyone in South Florida, free agent center Jason Brown has agreed to terms with the St. Louis Rams, an NFL source told The Miami Herald.

Brown, one of the top centers available, did not visit with any other teams.

The Dolphins instead focused their attention on grabbing a center/guard for less money and less profile by signing former Cowboys lineman Joe Berger.

The Dolphins did not host any other players on visits Friday in what was a rather quiet start to free agency for Miami.

The team instead has made it clear it plans to fill several of its needs with better-valued players later in free agency and through the draft.

Looking for confirmation from the St. Louis papers...

[RedArcher7]

The St. Louis Rams landed the prize free agent blocker of 2009 Friday by reaching an agreement in principle with Ravens center Jason Brown.

The 6-foot-3, 320-pound Brown is big and strong enough to block nose tackles in 3-4 schemes and powerful enough to be a lead blocker for a running game.

Terms of the deal weren't immediately available except that it was believed to be a five-year deal. Brown's agents, Harold Lewis and Kevin Omell, were working on the final language of the contract before having Brown sign the contract.

Talks between the Ravens and Brown broke off Thursday night when he tried to get the team to move off their contract offer, which was in the $6 million range. Brown was hoping to land $7.5 million to $8 million a year in free agency.

Brown was a fourth-round pick of the Ravens in 2005. He's had 45 starts during his first four seasons.

John Clayton reports.

[Ramblin` Ram]

Joe Berger or Jason Brown..hmmmm i wonder which fans are the most hyped??

probably equal i guess.....us jubilant;flipper fans tearing their hair out!

[RedArcher7]

Jim Thomas

Free-agent center Jason Brown has agreed to terms on a five-year, $37.5 million deal with the Rams on Friday night. The deal includes $20 million in guaranteed money.

[THOLTFAN81]

JIM THOMAS REPORTS:

Free-agent center Jason Brown has agreed to terms on a five-year, $37.5 million deal with the Rams on Friday night. The deal includes $20 million in guaranteed money.

[chipperjones]

Thanks guys, thanks Jesus.

[general counsel]

This is GREAT news. We filled a MAJOR need and we did it with a young player who actually has a chance to perform for the duration of the contract. A core offensive lineman for years to come.

ramming speed to all and LETS KEEP THE BIG MAN!!!!

general counsel

[jerseyramsfan]

I'm glad.. Now we can go Crabtree or Curry...

[Ramblin` Ram]

from Leckey to Brown....i think ive only seen an upgrade of that preportion at the end of Gordon Ramsey`s kitchen nighmares program before tonight!

[#39 Fan]

it moved a little...

[AvengerRam]

Excellent signing.

The Rams would have had to have devoted a pick in the first three rounds to this position. Now, with Brown in the fold, they are five players deep at the C/OG spots: Brown, Bell, Incognito, Greco, Scheuning. If Incognito were to sign elsewhere and the Rams choose not to match, they would receive a third round pick which should be enough to find a suitable replacement.

Now if we can just get Butler and Bartell signed, this will be a great start to free agency.

[#39 Fan]

LETS KEEP THE BIG MAN!!!!

general counsel

Hear, hear!!

[THOLTFAN81]

next up,
james butler dont let him leave STL

then,
resign ronald b back to an extension

[39thebeast]

Great signing Steven Jackson is probably high fiving any person he sees

[Majpain]

Congrats guys! I was hoping Miami would have gotten him but I guess he was asking for to much money.

Steven Jackson should be pleased this guy is going to be vital to their power running game.