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Rams Sign Second Plan B Free Agent, Ilesic, Unprotected by Chargers

By CHRIS DUFRESNE
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One week after punter Dale Hatcher signed with the Green Bay Packers, the Rams announced Friday the signing of punter Hank Ilesic, who had been left unprotected by the San Diego Chargers.

Ilesic, 30, joined the Chargers after the second game of the 1989 season and finished with an average of 40.1 yards on 76 punts. He came to San Diego after a 13-year career in the Canadian Football League, which he joined out of high school. Ilesic played six seasons for Edmonton and seven for Toronto, averaging 45.4 yards a kick in his CFL career.

The Rams lost interest in Hatcher after he finished last in the NFC with a 38.8 average last season.

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The Rams have signed two Plan B free agents, Ilesic and guard/center Joe Milinichik, and have lost three--guard Tony Slaton, safety James Washington and Hatcher.

Kicker Mike Lansford worked out for the Chargers Thursday and also is considering an offer from the Phoenix Cardinals. Receiver Ron Brown said he probably will make a signing decision Monday, and teams still in the running include the Denver Broncos and the Raiders.

Plan B free agents have until April 1 to sign with other NFL teams.

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Chris Dufresne

Chris Dufresne was the Los Angeles Times’ national college football/basketball columnist from 1995 to 2015. He also covered skiing at the Winter Olympics and wrote extensively on most sports. He is a multiple national award winner and was named 2011 California Sportswriter of the Year by the National Sportswriters and Sportscasters Assn. A Los Angeles native, he started at The Times in 1976 as a truck loader and literally worked his way up (two floors to be exact).

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