ST. PAUL, Minn. - Through free agency or trades, the Vikings added five defensive starters during their offseason shopping spree, and for almost every veteran they acquired, someone was cast aside.

One of those discards returns to Minnesota on Sunday, when the Cleveland Browns visit the Metrodome, and this season has been everything free safety Brian Russell and his new team expected.

"We felt like he was a good, young, up-and-coming player," Browns coach Romeo Crennel said. "He's a sharp kid, and we have some young safeties on this team, and we felt like his experience and knowledge would be helpful. He has come in and shown that that's what he can provide for us. He makes the checks and all of the adjustments. He's been a good leader and a productive player for us."

Russell, a former college quarterback, doesn't have an interception, but he has done a solid job as the quarterback of a Browns defense that ranks 24th in the NFL - four spots ahead of the Vikings - and is coming off a 22-0 shutout of the Miami Dolphins.

This is a transition year for the Browns, who are 4-6 in their first season under Crennel, but except for a 34-21 loss to Pittsburgh, the defense has held up its end in every game.

"We have been playing pretty solid," Russell said. "Two weeks ago against Pittsburgh was really a game that was out of character for us. We were really upset about that. I think it played into preparation and how well we played this past week against Miami."

The decision to sign with Cleveland was a no-brainer for Russell, who lost his starting free safety job when the Vikings signed Darren Sharper in March.

The Browns' two-year, $2.75 million offer was more than double the one-year, $665,000 deal the Vikings tendered their restricted free agent and much too high a price for Minnesota to match.

More importantly, Cleveland offered Russell the opportunity to start, as he did for every game of his last two seasons with the Vikings after making the team in 2001 as an undrafted rookie from San Diego State.

Russell reprised that story this week, recalling how the Vikings were set to release him in the next-to-last cut and how defensive coordinator Willie Shaw already had shaken his hand and taken his playbook before sending him to see coach Dennis Green, who had second thoughts.

"I guess that bought me a week and one more preseason game, and I ended up making the practice squad," Russell said. "I don't know what was said in the staff meeting the night before, but they must have decided to cut me, and then coach Green had a change of heart. That change of heart has really given me a career and a golden opportunity. Every time I see him, I try to thank him. ... Maybe I'll send him a postcard for Christmas."

At the moment, Russell has more pressing concerns, but he had his high points with the Vikings, including a nine-interception season in 2003.

That was an aberration for the five-year veteran, who has intercepted just one pass in the two seasons since, but he still has had a surprisingly good career, considering the way it began.

"Definitely as an undrafted guy, especially early on, there is a lot you have to go through in order to give yourself a fighting chance," he said. "I am very thankful to the Vikings. They gave me that chance. They worked with me and developed me as a safety."

Russell, 27, said he still has a lot of friends in the Twin Cities area and expects to have a fair number of them in the stands Sunday, "probably in the high 20s."

He also still speaks to former teammates such as cornerback Brian Williams and strong safety Corey Chavous, who said he probably would give his old running mate a call over the weekend and maybe even take him a plate of Thanksgiving leftovers.

"I definitely miss Brian," Chavous said. "I especially just miss him as a friend. That goes beyond football. You always miss someone with that kind of personality and who's just fun to be around."

Russell said the Vikings, with all of the turnover in personnel, are a different team than the one he left, but Chavous said he knows Russell will have extra incentive going into this game.

"I know this will be a little special for him," Chavous said. "I just think Brian's a special guy in the way he prepares and the way he approaches the game. That's why he's built himself a career in this league."

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