Craig, Gray Head Unprotected Lists

In the first personnel decisions of the second Chuck Knox era, the Rams left Jerry Gray, Duval Love, Buford McGee, Marcus Dupree, Doug Smith and Mike Piel unprotected on their Plan B list.

The move to free Gray, a four-time Pro Bowl defensive back who slipped the past two seasons because of a knee injury, was a bit of a surprise because in the initial stages of Knox’s arrival, his staff had talked about deploying Gray as a roving free safety and moving last year’s free safety, Pat Terrell, to cornerback.

But Gray, 29, has made it clear that he did not want to remain with the Rams if he could not be assured of a starting position, and recently, the Rams have reconsidered moving Terrell, a much younger player, to an unfamiliar position.

The Rams opted for the possibilities of unproven youth at running back, protecting Ernie Thompson and David Lang, two rookies who carried the ball a total of two times in 1991, over Dupree and McGee, the team MVP in 1990.

Jackie Slater, the 37-year-old right tackle who was on the bubble, was included on the Rams’ protected list and now the only thing preventing him from playing in his record 17th season with the Rams is signing a new contract.

Plan B

A look at the players left unprotected by the Rams RAMS

Player Position Ron Brown Wide receiver Paul Butcher Linebacker Mike Charles Defensive tackle Marcus Dupree Running back Brett Faryniarz Linebacker Tom Gibson Defensive end Jerry Gray Defensive back Barry Helton Punter Sammy Lilly Cornerback Duval Love Offensive lineman Mike McDonald Long-snapper Buford McGee Running back Jeff Pahukoa Offensive lineman Mike Piel Defensive tackle Jimmy Raye Wide receiver Gerald Robinson Defensive end Doug Smith Center

* COMPLETE LIST: C13