clarinews@clarinet.com (02/03/90)
CINCINNATI (UPI) -- The Cincinnati Bengals Friday left Pro Bowl guard Max Montoya, backup quarterback Turk Schonert and kicker Jim Breech free to negotiate with any other NFL team. They were among 15 Bengals left unprotected under the league's Plan B free agent system. They are free to negotiate with other teams until April 1. However, Bengal officials said most of the players on the unprotected list have already assured the club they intend to return to the Bengals next season. Also left unprotected by the Bengals were defensive backs Robert Jackson and Chris Barber, running backs Stanford Jennings and John Holified, punter Lee Johnson, linebackers Leo Barker and Ed Brady, wide receivers Ira Hillary, Mike Martin and John Garrett and tackles Rob Woods and Ken Moyer. Last year, the Bengals lost nine unprotected players to other teams, but club officials don't expect to lose as many this year, mainly because they're paying most unprotected players more money in return for their pledge to come back. ``We've spoken with most of the players on the list,'' said Bengals assistant general manager Mike Brown. ``We have put them on the list only because they assured us they intended to return to the Bengals next year. ``Most of the veterans have gotten something tangible for their promise. Legally, they're not prohibited from signing elsewhere. But it's a moral commitment. They have said they will return here regardless of any other contract offer made from another team. It's something we've chosen to risk.'' Among players that club officials have talked with about staying are Montoya, Breech and Martin. Others were not disclosed. Four unprotected players -- Schonert, Barker, Hillary and Jackson -- said they have had no discussions with Brown about their status. ``(Coach) Sam Wyche told me a couple of weeks ago to expect to be unprotected,'' said Schonert. ``But I haven't discussed this at all with Mike Brown. I don't have any bad feelings about my situation with the Bengals, but if somebody wants to make me an offer, my ears are open.'' Last year, the Bengals signed no free agents from other teams, but that figures to change this year. ``We've already compiled lists of players who would interest us if they're made available,'' said Brown. ``When we see what the other teams have to offer, we'll start talking and hope to sign a few. ``Plan B provided help to a lot of teams (last season) and seemed to propel them to better records,'' noted Brown. ``Anyone who observed that has to have noticed that the potential is there to improve your team.''