clarinews@clarinet.com (02/03/90)
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (UPI) -- Friday was ``B''-Day in the National Football League, but for Bears receiver Dennis McKinnon, it was more like D-Day. As expected, McKinnon was one of the bigger local names declared as an unconditional, or Plan B free agent by the NFL. In all, 490 players were left unprotected and are free to negotiate with any other NFL teams except their own without due compensation. The Bears failed to protect 16 players. In addition to McKinnon, linebacker Jim Morrissey, safety Maurice Douglass, receiver Glen Kozlowski, cornerback Lorenzo Lynch, punter Maury Buford and running back Thomas Sanders were of the more highly visible players. Linebackers Steve Hyche and Mickey Pruitt, defensive linemen John Shannon and Tony Woods, safety George Streeter, running back Brian Taylor, receiver Tom Waddle, and offensive lineman Dave Zawatson were also left unprotected. Veteran fullback Matt Suhey wasn't protected either, but he has already retired as the Bears' sixth all-time leading rusher. McKinnon and Morrissey were the only starters that the Bears left unprotected. Morrissey signed a new contract earlier in the week and has stated that he plans on staying in Chicago. McKinnon, however, said he'll be with another team next season. That seems to coincide with Bears' wishes. ``When you total up the package, we had 37 players better than Dennis McKinnon,'' said vice president of player personnel Bill Tobin. McKinnon's reputation as being outspoken may have had something to do with not being protected. McKinnon was benched late last season by coach Mike Ditka after he publicly berated Bears offensive play-calling. McKinnon, 28, was acquired in 1983 as a free agent and enjoyed his best season in 1988 when he led the team with 45 catches and 704 yards. Morrissey, a starter at outside linebacker for 11 games in 1988, spent most of last season on injured reserve with a lacerated kidney. He had had five interceptions in his last four starts before getting hurt. The Bears and Cincinnati Bengals were the only teams not to sign a Plan B free agent last year, but don't expect Chicago to be idle this year. ``We still don't like Plan B, but we will take a closer look at outside players than we did last year,'' said finance director Ted Phillips. Plan B free agents have until April 1 to negotiate with other clubs. -- This, and all articles in this news hierarchy are Copyright 1990 by the wire service or information provider and licenced to Clarinet Communications Corp. for distribution. Except for free samples, only paid subscribers may access these articles. Any unauthorized access, reproduction or transmission is strictly prohibited. We will reward the first provider of information that helps us stop violators of this copyright. Send reports to reward@clarinet.com.