clarinews@clarinet.com (RICH EXNER) (02/03/90)
BEREA, Ohio (UPI) -- The Cleveland Browns are gambling that veterans Carl Hairston, Matt Bahr, Al Baker and Hanford Dixon will show loyalty to the organization and return to the team next year. They were among 17 players left unprotected Friday in the NFL Plan B free agent system as the Browns decided to protect a number of young players who have not yet contributed to the team. Each team was allowed to protect 37 players. Those left unprotected have until April 1 to sign contracts with other teams. ``We wanted to protect our young players,'' Browns general manager Ernie Accorsi said. ``If you'll look at this list, you'll see what pains we went through to protect our young offensive linemen.'' Among the young players protected despite playing little were linebacker Clifford Charlton, running back Mike Oliphant, safety Kyle Kramer and offensive linemen Mike Graybill, Kevin Robbins and Kevin Simons. Those who had a significant amount of playing time but were left unprotected were Hairston, Bahr, Baker, Dixon, injured guards Ted Banker and Dan Fike, long-snapper Tom Baugh, punt returner Gerald McNeil, tight ends Ozzie Newsome and Ron Middleton, and punter Bryan Wagner. Others unprotected were running back Keith Jones, defensive linemen Lee Jones and Darryl Sims, safety Robert Lyons, linebacker Eddie Johnson and tight end Wilbur Strozier. ``It's a strategical process. It's not a slap in the face,'' said Accorsi, who added many of the veterans were told they are wanted back. Dixon, once the leader of the defense, is one veteran who might test the Plan B free agent market, although Accorsi said both he and coach Bud Carson want Dixon to return to the Browns. ``What we want Hanford to do is come back and compete,'' Accorsi said. ``We're stronger if he's here.'' Leaving Fike and Banker unprotected is not much of a gamble, as both suffered serious knee injuries and are not expected to be ready to play until sometime in November or December. Accorsi said both Eddie Johnson and Herman Fontenot turned down bonus money from other teams last year to return to the Browns, although Fontenot was traded on draft day to the Packers. Newsome is considering retirement and no tight ends were protected but Accorsi said: ``I think we'll get Middleton back. He was available all year (before the Browns signed him).'' Some final decisions came down to protecting Kyle Kramer over Lyons and protecting defensive lineman Marlon Jones over running back Keith Jones, because ``I knew we were going to lose Marlon Jones,'' Accorsi said. Accorsi, however, said he was ``not real optimistic'' about getting McNeil back. He said negotiations would begin as early as Friday night, but it's uncertain what will happen in the second year of Plan B free agency. ``Judging the way it finished (last year), I'm concerned it might be more (money),'' Accorsi said. ``I think the guys who get action are going to hold out for more.'' Accorsi also disclosed Friday that doctors' evaluations of quarterback Bernie Kosar's injuries determined no surgery, only rest, is needed. And he said the team gave up a seventh-round draft pick for running back Barry Redden. Had Redden played more, the Chargers would have received a fifth-round pick. Last year, the team was very active in the Plan B market, signing 14, seven of whom stayed after the final cut in training camp. Five of those seven are on this year's unprotected list: Baker, Banker, Baugh, Jones and Wagner.