Millen, Copeland Join Redskins; Morris Signs With Cleveland

Linebacker Matt Millen of the San Francisco 49ers and safety Danny Copeland of the Kansas City Chiefs signed as Plan B free agents with the Washington Redskins.

Millen, 32, played the past two seasons with the 49ers after nine years with the Raiders, who made him a second-round draft choice in 1980 out of Penn State.

The 6-foot-2, 245-pound Millen started all 16 games last season and finished with 62 tackles. He has recorded more than 100 tackles three times in his 11-year career. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 1988 after leading the Raiders with 106 tackles.

Joe Morris, two-time Pro Bowl running back with the New York Giants who did not play last season, was among 10 players who signed with the Cleveland Browns.

The Browns signed five Plan B free agents and cut three veterans.

Morris had three 1,000-yard seasons with the New York Giants and holds franchise records in total yards rushing (5,296) and touchdowns (48). He’s also their career leader in rushing attempts (1,318) and set a team record with 21 rushing touchdowns in 1985.

Morris suffered a broken foot in New York’s final exhibition game in 1989, was placed on injured reserve and missed the season. He rehabilitated the injury but was placed on waivers in September 1990 and went unsigned for the entire season.

Cleveland’s new coach, Bill Belichick, was the Giants’ defensive coordinator under Bill Parcells when Morris was the team’s star running back.

The Browns’ Plan B signings were linebacker David Brandon of the Chargers, punter Brian Hanson of the Patriots, Lansford, quarterback Todd Philcox of the Cincinnati Bengals and running back Lee Rouson of the Giants.

Linebacker Eugene Lockhart, left unprotected by Dallas, said he would remain a Cowboy. Lockhart, Dallas’ leader in total tackles, said he had received several offers from other teams within the past few weeks but decided that “my heart is here with the Dallas Cowboys.”