Rams’ Brown Agrees to Contract

Ron Brown fell back into the Rams’ good graces Tuesday, agreeing to a contract that may finally end the stormy five-year relationship between player and management.

Brown, a gold-medal winner in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics as part of the 400-meter relay team, was so infuriated last season during contract negotiations that he retired from football and headed for the Olympic trials in Indianapolis.

He failed to qualify for the ’88 U.S. team, though, and reluctantly returned to the Rams in October at the team’s prorated salary offer of $123,000 over nine games. He played in seven games and caught two passes for 16 yards.

Tuesday, Brown agreed to a one-year contract for about $270,000, with a chance to make another $100,000 in incentives.

Nose tackle Alvin Wright also agreed to contract terms, leaving five veterans unsigned--offensive linemen Irv Pankey, Duval Love, Tony Slaton and Robert Cox, and tailback Greg Bell.

Tight end Damone Johnson is under contract but failed to report and is subject to a daily fine of $1,000.