Raiders Sign Ron Brown to Become a Cornerback

The Raiders, in an attempt to revive the faltering career of Ram receiver Ron Brown, signed the former sprinter from the Plan B free agency list Monday--as a cornerback.

Brown was a cornerback for his first three years at Arizona State. He was an Olympic gold medalist as a member of the 400-meter relay team in 1984, an All-Pro kick returner in ‘85, and won football’s-fastest-man competition in ’86.

However, after returning three kicks for touchdowns in ‘85, his numbers fell. Last season, he had an average of 20.6 yards a return, second-to-last in the NFC. He hasn’t returned a kickoff for a touchdown since the ’87 season.

As a receiver, he was No. 4 on the depth chart last season and had only five catches.

Brown retired before the ’88 season to attempt an Olympic comeback, but returned to the Rams after failing to qualify for the Seoul Games.

Brown earned $265,000 last season. A source said the Raiders signed him to a $2-million, four-year package.

Meanwhile, Raider offensive lineman Bill Lewis will sign with the Phoenix Cardinals today.

Lewis and the Cardinals have agreed on an $840,000, two-year deal. Lewis will get a $140,000 signing bonus and salaries of $325,000 and $375,000.

Bobby Hebert, quarterback for the New Orleans Saints, told a Shreveport television station that he has talked to Raider owner Al Davis and expects to join that team for a minicamp May 9.

Jim Finks, Saint general manager, said he spoke to Davis two weeks ago and that Davis said he was interested in Hebert and Dan Marino of the Miami Dolphins.

Finks said he hasn’t heard from Davis on the matter since.