Brown Has Meeting With Perkins, but Hasn’t Decided About Tampa Bay

Former Ram receiver Ron Brown met twice with Tampa Bay Coach Ray Perkins on Monday, caught a few sideline passes in his street clothes, and then delayed a decision on whether to sign with the Buccaneers.

“He didn’t go down there to sign a contract,” Jerome Stanley, Brown’s agent, said. “He went down there to meet with the parties involved. Like I’ve said 40 times, he has to weigh what he’ll be giving up against what he’s gaining. He knows the environment there, the team’s record the past few years, where they’re going. He knows all that. He’s got to weigh that against the dollar.”

Brown, who retired from the Rams last spring to resume a track career, was driven back to his Tampa hotel by Phil Krueger, the team’s assistant president and chief negotiator. Brown told reporters he will remain in Tampa a few days before making a final decision.

Perkins had no comment for reporters after the second meeting, but did speak after the morning session.

“If he was on the team, I’d have already announced it,” Perkins said. “Ron Brown has fine cutback ability, excellent toughness and real good competitiveness. His speed is not everything. It’s a lot, but it’s not everything.”