Holohan’s Headed to Kansas City

The Rams’ biggest gamble of their Plan B strategy--leaving Pete Holohan unprotected--backfired Tuesday when the Kansas City Chiefs announced the signing of the veteran tight end before the Monday night deadline.

Holohan, a key member of offensive coordinator Ernie Zampese’s timing-pass attack, caught 49 passes last season and 159 in three years with the Rams.

The departure of Holohan, one of quarterback Jim Everett’s most-trusted receivers, is softened by Coach John Robinson’s plan to establish a power running game that will make better use of blocking tight ends Damone Johnson and Pat Carter.

The Rams, who figured that Holohan’s age (he’ll be 32 this season) and sore knees would limit interest around the league in the 10-year pro, were prepared to watch him sign with another team. Holohan played mostly at H-back, or moving tight end position, which probably will not be a major part of the offense this season.

In an interesting Plan B twist Tuesday, the Cleveland Browns, who signed former Ram kicker Mike Lansford earlier this week, released Lansford after he failed a physical.

Sources in Cleveland say that Lansford, who was scheduled to battle Matt Stover for the Browns’ job, showed effects this week of the lingering hamstring injury he suffered last season during minicamp workouts.

Lansford lost his nine-year job with the Rams because management was unhappy with his kickoff distance and increasing field-goal inaccuracy. The Rams signed kicker Tony Zendejas from the Houston Oilers.