Chargers are Fine Tuning Their Strategy for Plan B Game

Dean Brown knows exactly how some fans will react.

“I mean, people gotta say, ‘Who’s Dean Brown?’ ” Dean Brown said.

But today the Chargers are expected to announce that Brown has been protected as one of their 37 best players.

They also will make public a list of 22 unprotected players, who under Plan B free agency will have until April 1 to sign with another NFL club.

OK, so Brown hasn’t played a down yet for the Chargers. Or a game. Or put on a uniform.

“I had my socks and pants on in the locker room and was ready to play in the last game,” Brown said, “but the equipment manager told me two players in every game had to sit out.”

Go figure: Most Charger fans probably will be unable to name the position Brown plays (offensive guard), and yet the rookie free agent from Notre Dame is expected to be saved. Vencie Glenn, who has 65 starts as the team’s free safety, will not, and he can begin to look for work elsewhere.

Talent is clearly in the eye of the beholder, and General Manager Bobby Beathard, who was dubbed the “Smartest Man in the NFL” by Sports Illustrated a few years ago, is said to be a man of vision.

He apparently sees a bright future for players such as Brown, defensive lineman Tony Savage and safety Anthony Shelton, who are projected to be protected. And he has indicated that he has seen enough of players such as Glenn, quarterback Mark Vlasic, linebacker Cedric Figaro and safety Lester Lyles.

“With a player like Brown, and maybe Tony Savage, it’s a bit of gamble on our part,” Beathard said. “If we went out and drafted an offensive or defensive lineman this year who was on a par with either of these guys, we’d probably have to spend a third-round pick.

“If we choose to protect one or both of these players, we will be betting they will be more valuable than those players we know about and have left unprotected.”

With the exception of Vlasic and Glenn, the remaining list of 20 players who will be left unprotected should read like a who’s who list of “who are these guys.”

“There won’t be any starters (left unprotected),” Beathard said. “There shouldn’t be any surprises.”

Players such as tight end Joe Caravello, linebacker David Brandon and tackle Joel Patten are expected to be left unprotected because they are coming off serious injuries and don’t figure to draw much interest elsewhere.

Practice squad player Derrick Kelson (cornerback) will neither be protected or unprotected. His contract was terminated at the end of the season. Brown had been in a similar situation, and that was why he was added to the 47-man roster for the final game. It made him eligible to be protected.

Meanwhile, the future of wide receiver Wayne Walker still was being discussed as the club prepared its final list for the league. He figured prominently in last season’s plans before injuring a knee. He has been unable to run yet, but leaving him unprotected may be a gamble because another team might spend the money to complete his rehabilitation.

In the last few days, the Chargers also have discussed the possibility of writing “workout” incentive clauses--basically bonuses for not changing teams--into the contracts some of the unprotected players. If the unprotected players snub all contract offers and return to the Chargers on April 1, they then would receive a cash bonus.

Players such as H-back Craig McEwen and tackle Eric Floyd, who have received favorable treatment from the present coaching staff, might be agreeable to being left unprotected with the promise of returning April 1.

Last year, the Chargers became painfully aware of such agreements. They tried to sign linebacker Steve Hendrickson almost immediately upon the release of the Plan B lists. However, San Francisco had made a financial agreement with the unprotected Hendrickson, thereby almost guaranteeing his return to the team.

“It’s being done,” Beathard said, “and it’s something you have to consider.”

Various incentive clauses may violate the spirit of Plan B free agency, but unless teams are playing players up front, it does not appear that the teams are breaking the guidelines

The Bengals, however, thought they had a similar arrangement with veteran offensive lineman Max Montoya last year. They promised Montoya a bonus on his return, but the Raiders successfully wooed him away.

“Some people learned a lesson,” Beathard said. “You might have a player tell you he’s coming back, but when someone starts throwing around money, there’s no more loyalty.

“There’s a lot of strategy in this. We’ve seen teams help themselves in Plan B. The word is out. Teams are taking much more care in selecting their 37 protected players.”

Two years ago, during the first season of Plan B free agency, the Chargers left 24 players unprotected and five of those went on to sign with other teams. Last year, the team lost seven of the 17 unprotected players.

Of the 229 Plan B free agents who changed teams in 1989, 72 remained under contract on opening day 1990. After one year, of the 184 free agents who were under contract last season, 110 were still in the league on opening day.

“Personally I’d rather not have Plan B,” Beathard said. “But as long as it’s here, we’ve looked at it as something that can help us. We’ll continue to be aggressive about Plan B and hope to do the most with it as long as it lasts.”

The Chargers signed 11 Plan B free agents in 1989 and enjoyed their best success in 1990, when they signed nine players, including punter John Kidd, running back Ronnie Harmon and kicker John Carney.

“Plan B presents problems,” Beathard said. “Two sides are unhappy. The guys that are protected are unhappy because you’ve gotten somebody that’s looked upon as being no good and maybe paid them more money than the players you have.

“And even though the guys left unprotected have a chance to make more money, they’re hurt. They want to know what was wrong with them to leave them unprotected. So the club can’t win with its own players.

“It’s been a boon to agents. They love it and play it to the hilt. The players are looking for instant cash (signing bonuses).”

Agent Steve Feldman, who represents Glenn and safety Martin Bayless, said players will earn “considerably more money” for being left unprotected.

“I’d love to see Martin Bayless go Plan B,” Feldman said. “He loves San Diego and wants to stay here, but it would be interesting to see what other teams would be willing to pay for him to play with them.

“I assume there will be an active market for Glenn because, believe it or not, there are some who don’t believe Bobby Beathard. I think Bobby didn’t care for Vencie’s lifestyle, but the crazy thing is Vencie is as dedicated a player as you will ever meet.”

NFL Notes

The Rams are expected to name ex-Charger assistant Gunther Cunningham their new defensive line coach sometime in the next few days. New defensive coordinator Jeff Fisher said he is comfortable with Cunningham, who coached the Chargers’ defensive line last season. “He’s that kind of aggressive guy,” Fisher said. “We’ll work fine together. He had that kind of defensive line in San Diego, attacking.” . . .