clarinews@clarinet.com (MARC McFARLAND) (02/03/90)
SEATTLE (UPI) -- Curt Warner, the most prolific running back in Seattle Seahawks history, is an unconditional free agent after being left unprotected by the team. The Seahawks submitted their list of 20 unprotected players during the week to the NFL, which released those names Friday. The Seahawks did protect linebacker Brian Bosworth, who has missed 26 of 50 games in three injury-plagued seasons. The Seahawks apparently hope Bosworth will overcome injuries to both shoulders and become the impact player he was at Oklahoma. Bosworth underwent surgery on his left shoulder a year ago and was placed on injured reserve after two games last season because of an injury to his right shoulder. Also left unprotected was wide receiver Steve Largent, who retired at the end of last season after 14 record-setting years with Seattle. Largent's NFL records when he left the game included most receptions, consecutive games with receptions and 100 career touchdown catches. The unprotected players are free to negotiate with any team, except Seattle, until April 1 and can be signed without compensation to the Seahawks. The Seahawks would retain the rights to any of those players who do not sign with another team. Seahawks President Tom Flores and Coach Chuck Knox could not be reached for comment. ``They're at the National Scouting Combine'' at Indianapolis for collegiate players, Seahawks spokesman Dave Neubert said. Warner also was not immediately available for comment. Flores said previously that leaving players unprotected does not indicate the Seahawks don't want them back. ``There are some guys because of age and-or contract who might not be protected,'' Flores said earlier. Warner, the Seahawks' highest-paid player, turns 29 next month. He'll reportedly earn more than $1.1 million next season. The Seahawks may be crossing their fingers that no other team will want to pay that kind of money to to sign Warner, who had career rushing lows for yards and per-carry average last season. Warner, a first round draft pick by the Seahawks from Penn State in 1983, is the only Seattle player to ever rush for 1,000 yards in a season. He has rushed for at least 1,000 yards in four seasons and run for 6,705 yards in his career. But his 631 yards and per-carry average of 3.3 yards last season were career lows. As a rookie, Warner was named UPI's AFC Offensive Player of the Year in 1983, when he ran for 1,449 yards. Warner ran for a Seattle-record 1,481 yards in 1986. Warner missed all but a few minutes of the 1984 season with a knee injury.