clarinews@clarinet.com (FREDERICK WATERMAN, UPI Sports Writer) (02/03/90)
FOXBORO, Mass. (UPI) -- Four starters, including former All Pro cornerback Raymond Clayborn and center Mike Baab, Friday joined 1984 Heisman Trophy winner Doug Flutie on the New England Patriots' list of 29 players left unprotected in the Plan B free-agent draft. Starting linebacker Lawrence McGrew and punter Jeff Feagles were also made available. Age and salary were cited as reasons why the Patriots think Clayborn, 35, and McGrew, 32, may not be pursued by other teams. Coach Raymond Berry said the 30-year-old Baab was not put on the 37-player protected list because the team wants a more physical center and will switch 305-pound Danny Villa from tackle. Guard Paul Fairchild will become the backup center. ``We've got some very strong people up front and this will help,'' said Berry. Feagles had a poor year, averaging 31.3 net yards per punt and Berry noted that in last year's Plan B draft, many punters were left unprotected. Flutie, the 5-foot-9 former Boston College star, started three games in 1989 and struggled, completing only 36 percent of his passes. His presence as a local hero and fan favorite weighed heavily upon Tony Eason, who was eventually waived then signed by the New York Jets. But Flutie's failure to perform well reduced the fans' calls for him. ``There was a real change in people's outlook on Doug,'' said New England general manager Patrick Sullivan. ``The heat of Doug being here is not as intense as it was a few years ago ... but the good aspects of having Doug here far outweighed any negative aspects.'' Sullivan said Flutie had a ``small corps of extremely vocal'' supporters, but he said this group was not composed of regular ticket-buyers and that their fierce allegiance eventually became ``embarrassing'' to Flutie. Each team was only allowed to protect two quarterbacks and the Patriots chose Marc Wilson and Steve Grogan. Flutie, a scrambler who would be more valuable to a team with a more flexible offense, could still be available to the Patriots if he does not sign elsewhere. Sullivan, asked if the team would take Flutie to training camp if he were unsigned, said, ``The day that you get into the situation (where) you don't welcome back competitors, winners ... is the day you ought not to be in the business.'' Expectations are that the Patriots will either draft a quarterback or acquire a veteran of value. Other veteran players left unprotected were safety Jim Bowman and 34-year-old running back Mosi Tatupu. Last year, the Patriots signed six free agents and Sullivan said that ``five had some sort of impact.'' The most notable contributors were tight end Eric Sievers and defensive end Gary Jeter, both of whom were protected this year. New England, 5-11 last season, could sign an unlimited number of Plan B free agents, ``but we won't go wholesale, signing 15 guys,'' said Sullivan. Berry said the team needs improvement on defense and in its running game. The Patriots have the third pick overall in the college draft and ``we are looking for the best defensive players we can start with in the draft,'' said Berry. Asked whether New England might pursue a major trade to acquire a high-quality NFL quarterback, Berry said the consensus of team coaches and officials is ``we can win with Steve Grogan and Marc Wilson if we strengthen the areas that need strengthening.''