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Cleveland may have lost the original Browns to Baltimore, but the new Browns got one back Friday.

They stole Ravens cornerback Gary Baxter, who almost re-signed with Baltimore on Wednesday. Baxter signed a six-year $30 million contract Friday night that included a $10.5 million signing bonus.

Baxter's signing with the Browns ended a weird week in which he planned to stay in Baltimore. Negotiations moved along well enough that Baxter was ready to sign the contract after his agent, David Dunn, agreed to terms.

Once Baxter looked at the contract, there was a problem. He thought he was getting an $11 million signing bonus. He saw $7 million on the sheet.

After that, Baxter started shopping his services and ended up going to Cleveland and getting a deal.

Baxter spent the past four seasons with the Ravens. He had 282 career tackles, three sacks and five interceptions.

He's a big cornerback who is also physical enough to play safety. He's 6-2, 204 pounds.

"Gary Baxter has very good size for his position, with tackling and coverage skills," Browns Head Coach Romeo Crennel said. "His tenacious play and extra effort is also impressive. Gary's experience on a dominant defense and the attitude he brings to the game will certainly enhance our efforts on the defensive side of the ball." He was second round choice in 2001.


Cardinals, Ross agree
The Cardinals took first step toward adding more power and consistency to their offensive line, reaching a contract agreement with tackle Oliver Ross, an unrestricted free agent from the Pittsburgh Steelers, as ESPN.com has learned.

A backup for most of his seven-year career, Ross emerged as a force in the last 1½ seasons, stabilizing the right tackle spot for the Steelers, and starting all 16 contests in 2004. Ross, 30, is a solid two-way blocker who has improved dramatically as a pass blocker. He opted to accept the Cardinals' proposal over one that would have returned him to the Steelers.

Ross will sign a five-year, $17.5 million deal. Between the signing bonus and base salary, he will earn $6.3 million in 2005.

The addition of Ross could end the tenure of right tackle Anthony Clement in Arizona. The Cardinals are already attempting to trade former starting left tackle L.J. Shelton. And now, Clement could be next on the trade block. Pittsburgh likely will turn the starting right tackle job over to second-year veteran Max Starks, a third-round pick in 2004.