“He wanted to sign with a good team quickly before this became public knowledge, otherwise, the Pat’s would have told him “sorry, we don’t need this crap following us.” Now they are stuck with paying him what he got guaranteed, even tho he kept this from them.”
And it should be noted that the Pats ran to the phone and called Browns agent the minute they heard there was trouble in Oakland, and had him signed within a half an hour of his release. Brown did move quickly and the Pats quickly and anxiously accommodated him.
I think Bill had a deal before he even thought of leaving Oakland.