The Record from Hackensack, New Jersey • 120

12 THE SUNDAY RECORD ir SPORTS FEBRUARY 2, 1992 PLAN OH HOT PLAfJ Giasits planning to be different ft A. By VInny DITranl Record Staff Writer EAST RUTHERFORD The changing face of the football Giants received yet another tuck Saturday when the 37-man Plan protected list was released. 'Among those not protected were running backs Ottis Anderson and Maurice Carthon, tight end Zeke Mowatt, linebacker Gary Reasons, and defensive backs Everson Walls, Perry Williams, and Adrian White, all veterans with at least one Super Bowl ring. Among those protected were fullback Jarrod Bunch, offensive tackle Clarence Jones, linebackers Kanavis McGhee and Corey Miller, and safety Lamar McGriggs, all products of the 1991 draft. An unprotected player has through April 1 to sign with another team.

If he does not sign elsewhere, a player with a contract returns to the Giants roster. A player without a contract will be able to negotiate only with the Giants unless the team rescinds its rights to that player. "Certain principles came into play in making the list of protected players," head coach Ray Handley said. "Size and speed were two. Potential certainly was a factor, although not to the point where I he said.

"I talked to some of the unprotected veterans to let them know where they fit into our plans. I wanted to let some of them know that juBt because they are unprotected doesnt mean they are not in our plans. It's just that they got caught in the numbers game." One of those Handley would like back is Reasons, the eight-year veteran inside linebacker who has been a contributing member of the defense since his rookie year. Reasons, who will turn 30 on Feb. 18, was in on 55 tackles last season, but missed 17.

"I was a little surprised because my agent Leonard Roth talked with the Giants recently and was told they were inclined to protect me," Reasons said by telephone from his home in Houston. "I talked to Ray this morning and he told me it's a numbers game, like it always is, and that he knew he was taking a risk by putting me out there. "He also told me he would like me to come back, if things don't work out in the marketplace for me. But I think they want Corey Miller to take a shot at one of the inside jobs next season, and that if I was in there playing it would be difficult for him to aspire to that role." As usual the Giants protected as many big men as possible, keeping eight offensive linemen and five defensive linemen. Nose tackle Lorenzo Freeman was the only lineman to play last season and not be protected.

One area that Handley stripped was right cornerback, where Williams, 30, and Walls, 32, have played the past two seasons. The Giants protected just three corner-backs, left-side starter Mark Collins and special teams standouts Reyna Thompson and Roger Brown. "Right now we don't have a starting right corner," Handley said, "and we'd be in trouble if we had to line up and play today. But we don't have a game for a few months. "Although cornerback is an area where we need to improve our play, we'd still like to have the two players back.

But well need to find another corner, whether it's through Plan a trade, getting those guys back, or in the draft." For Anderson, 35, the Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl XXV, this marks his fourth trip to the Plan market. He recently said he'd like to play one more season, preferably with the Giants. GIANTS Protected (37) Unprotected (19) Jed Hosteller Phil Slmme Matt Cavanaugh Mike Perez Jarrod Bunch Rodney Hampton David Meggett Lewis Tillman Ottis Anderson Maurice Carthon Stephen Baker Mark Ingram Ed McCaffrey James Milling Greg Taylor Odessa Turner Howard Cross Zeke Mowatt John Elliott Clarence Jones Bob Kratch Eric Moore Bart Oates Doug Riesenberg William Roberts Brian Williams Jay Butler Eric Dorsey Mike Fox Erik Howard Leonard Marshall John Washington Tim Downing Lorenzo Freeman Clint James Bobby Abrams Carl Banks Steve DeOssie Pepper Johnson Kanavis McGhee Corey Miller Lawrence Taylor Anthony Moss Gary Reasons Roger Brown Mark Collins Myron Guyton Greg Jackson Lamar McGriggs Reyna Thompson Thorn Kaumeyer Everson Walls Adrian White Perry Williams Sean Landeta Matt Bahr Jets looking for a placekicker By Barbara Barker Record Staff Writer Hempstead, n.y. Pat Leahy, the Jets' 18-year-veteran placekicker, was left off the team's Plan list of 37 protected players Saturday. The question now is whether Leahy will be left off the team's opening-day roster in September.

I Leahy, 40, who missed the final two games of last season because of a sciatic nerve condition in his back, was one of 16 Jets to become free agents. Other notables left unprotected were running back Freeman McNeil, and offensive linemen Trevor Matich and Brett Miller. Jets general manager Dick Steinberg said Saturday that the team is looking for a kicker to compete with Leahy in training camp. This marks the first time in nearly two decades the Jets have had to find a kicker. "We're not going to wait.

We're 'going to look around for insurance jobviously," Steinberg said. "We don't want to get to camp without I think he knows we're going to have to have a kicker in here. We hope a pretty good one. Jets last season as a free agent but left unprotected Saturday, could be a candidate. "Allegre has said up to this point he doesn't want to compete with Pat," Steinberg said.

"People change their minds." Allegre, 32, a friend of Leahy's, did not return calls to his Austin, Texas, home. Leahy, who was in Manhattan to attend an awards dinner, could not be reached for comment. Leahy was not the only veteran to be left off the list. McNeil, an 11-year pro, is the Jets all-time leading rusher. McNeil, who made $900,000 last season, may have cut a deal to stay with the Jets.

Steinberg said the team had done that with some players, but refused to be specific. "We want Freeman on the team' for what he still contributes with his skills," Steinberg said, "and definitely for what he contributes as a leader and as an important part of the chemical makeup of the team and as a very positive role model. "Because of Freeman's age 32 and salary, I feel pretty secure with him. We expect him back JETS Protected (37) Unprotected (16) Browning Nagle Ken O'Brien Troy Taylor Brad Baxter Johnny Hector Blair Thomas A.B. Brown Patrick Egu Freeman McNeil Chris Burkett Terance Mathis Rob Moore Al Toon Dale Dawk ins Mark Boyer Chris Dressel Pat Kelly Ken Whlsenhunt Dave Cadigan Jeff Crlsweil Roger Duffy Irv Eatman Mike Halght Jim Sweeney Dwayne White Chris Qoetz Trevor Matich Brett Miller Dennis Byrd Paul Frase Mark Gunn Jeff Lageman Scott Mersereau Marvin Washington Bill Picket 93 Kyle Clifton Bobby Houston Joe Kelly Mo Lewis Troy Johnson Joe Mott Mike Brim James Hasty R.J.

Kors Erik McMillan Don Odegard Tony Stargell Brian Washington Lonnie Young Dennis Price Louis Aguiar Raul Allegre Pat Leahy Ptaytrt with college eligibility rtmalntng who have declared themselves eligible for tht April 26-27 National Football League draft (sophomores; all othare kmlors): QB Tommy Maddox, UCLA RB Chrlt Hughley, Tulsa RB Amp Laa, Florida Slate RB Maikt Rovjter, Southern California RB-KR Jeff Sydnar, Hawaii WR-KR Desmond Howard, Michigan WR Michael Moore, UCLA WR-KR Cart Plckam, Tennessee TE Renle Dwlght, Troy St. TE Johnny Mitchell, Nebraska OT Bob Whitfield, Stanford DB Terrefl Buckley, Florida State DB Darryl Williams, Miami, Fla. LB Marco Coleman, Georgia Tech LB-DL Elliot Pllton, Tennessee Stats LB Todd Collins, Carson-Newman OL Shane Dronetl, Texas DL Steve Emtman, Washington DL Sean Gilbert, Pittsburgh DL Keith Hamilton, Pittsburgh DL Chester McGlocklln, Clemson DL Alonio Spellman, Ohio Slate Phil Nevln, Fullerton St. sophomore Tommy Maddox, -is coming out early. "There are always teams out there looking for quarterbacks not necessarily for me, but they are looking for quarterbacks," Maddox said.

"I'll admit I'm taking a chance. I wouldn't say I'm ready to be a starting NFL quarterback right now, but I'm ready to go in there and leam the system and mature at the NFL level." VINNY DITRANI Brazil leads Germany RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil -Brazil took a surprising 2-1 lead over Germany in its Davis Cup World Group competition with victories Saturday in singles and doubles. Jaime Oncins upset Carl-Uwe Steeb, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2, 7-6 (7-5), in. a. singles match suspended because of darkness.

In doubles, Cassio Motta and Fernando Roese steamrolled Boris Becker and Eric Jelen, 7-5, 6-3, 6-3. GARY REASONS "I was a little surprised" was going to throw all my veterans to the wind." Quarterback Phil Simms, center Bart Oates, and linebackers Steve DeOssie and Lawrence Taylor were among the veterans protected by Handley, who went through the Plan procedure for the first time as a head coach. "My No. 1 goal is to make as much competition in training camp as possible," PAT LEAHY One of 16 Jets left unprotected "You're still talking about sciatica, which is a chronic condition. It could recur." Leahy has not faced serious competition in more than a decade.

Former Giants kicker Raul Allegre, who was signed by the protected during the Plan free agency period, was left unprotected by the Los Angeles Raiders. Craig, 32 next season, was the Raiders' leading rusher with 590 yards on 162 carries, a 3.5-yard average that was lowest among the team's running backs. Special-teams standout Steve Tasker, in Hawaii to play for the American Conference in today's Pro Bowl, wasn't protected by the Buffalo Bills, but the three-time Pro Bowl player said he plans to remain with the two-time AFC champions. "All three of my children have been born in Buffalo I've got deep roots planted there," Tasker said in a telephone interview from Hawaii. "I know that I fit in to what the Buffalo Bills plan to do in the future." ff Underclassmen may be top picks with us, but nothing is left in stone." The Jets chose to protect running back Johnnny Hector, left unprotected last year.

The Jets also protected free safety Erik McMillan and linebacker Joe Kelly, despite both having said they want to play elsewhere. "Well do what's best for the Jets," Steinberg said. Steinberg said the team never considered leaving quarterback Ken O'Brien unprotected. "Why would you not protect a guy who has started 32 games over the last two seasons?" Steinberg said. "It's a ridiculous question." Steinberg Baid the Jets will aggressively pursue Plan free agents.

Last season the Jets signed five Plan players. Four made the team. While the Jets concentrated on signing defensive players last season, Steinberg said they are looking at players at any position this year. Only two Jets left unprotected last year, defensive back John Booty and tackle Scott Jones, went to other teams. tackle Stan Brock, but both said they intended to stay with the Saints next season even if they got better offers.

The Saints also didn't protect Bennie Thompson, an All-Pro special teams player after just his second year in the NFL. Krieg, 33, has passed for 26,132 yards and 195 touchdowns in 129 games, completing 2,096 passes in 3,504 attempts. He has thrown 148 career interceptions and also has set an NFL record with 108 fumbles. Surprisingly, Seahawks coach Tom Flores protected 12-year-vet-eran Jacob Green, who will turn 35 on Jan. 21.

Green was not protected last year. I Plan list. S-17 jfErieg, McMahon left unprotected U.S. advances in Davis Cup Washington defensive tackle Steve Emtman could be the No. 1 pick and fellow underclassmen could account for half of the first 10 selections in the National Football League draft.

Players with college eligibility remaining had until Saturday to declare themselves eligible for the April 26-27 draft, and Emtman's decision to bypass his final year solidified the extremely strong group of juniors and sophomores. In addition to Emtman, Heis-man Trophy winner Desmond Howard of Michigan, pass-rushing linebacker Marco Coleman of Georgia Tech, cornerback-punt returner Terrell Buckley of Florida State, and offensive tackle Bob Whitfield of Stanford also could be selected in the top 10. Tennessee wide receiver Carl Pickens, Texas defensive lineman Shane Dronett, Pitt defensive end Sean Gilbert, Ohio State defensive end Alonzo Spellman, and Nebraska tight end Johnny Mitchell are other potential first-rounders among the underclass eligibles. Only one quarterback, UCLA a doubles team for the first time, took control after losing seven consecutive points in the first-set tiebreaker. The Americans broke service in the opening game of the second set, completing it when Frana's backhand return was wide.

McEnroe and Leach got another break in the set, two in the third, and three in the fourth. With the outcome long since decided, the U.S. finished Argentina with a service break in the seventh game. proper start. Both boats were over the starting line early, but II Moro di Venezia properly restarted.

Tre Kronor, i which had nine minutes to restart, never completely recrossed the line. The day's racing was delayed for 55 minutes by light, shifting winds which finally settled into a 6-knot southwesterly breeze, building to a westerly 12 knots by the finish. Neither of the two Australian boats, Spirit of Australia and Challenge Australia, raced. The boats were withdrawn from Round Washington didn't protect center Jeff Bostic, tackle Joe Jacoby, and tight end Don Warren all of whom started in the Super Bowl and linebacker Matt Millen, but the Redskins said they expected the four back for next season. Tom Tupa and Stan Gelbaugh, who did most of the quarterback-ing for Phoenix last season after Timm Rosenbach's knee injury, weren't protected by the Cardinals.

Robert Clark, Detroit's second-leading receiver last season, wasn't protected by the Lions. Players not protected may sign with other clubs until April 1. However, it appears many have made agreements not to leave their current teams. New Orleans didn't protect tight end Hoby Brenner and offensive ton State, Hein played for the Giants from 1931-45 and did not miss a game. In 1938, he was named the league's first Most Valuable Player and later became a charter member of the Hall of Fame.

Holland making his move BRATTLEBORO, Vt. -Olympian Jim Holland, third after one jump, came back with the longest effort of the day to win his third straight 70-meter event at the U.S. Ski Jumping Championships. Holland, the Norwich, resident who will lead the U.S. ski jumping team into the Winter Olympics next week in Al-bertville, France, soared 90 meters on his final attempt to vault past first-round leader Bob Holme of Littleton, Colo.

Nissan leads in Daytona DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -The Nissan R90 of Geoff Brabham, Chip Robinson, and Bob Earl moved to a one-lap lead over the all-Japanese Nissan R91 after the first seven hours of the Rolex 24-hour sports car endurance race at Daytona International speedway. The Associated Press I David Krieg, Seattle's staring quarterback for the past seasons, was left unprotected Saturday, when National Footbail League teams submitted their Plan lists of 37 protected players. Philadelphia quarterback Jim McMahon also was not protected, nor. was Chicago linebacker Mike Singletary.

Singletary, 33, the Bears' defensive captain since 1983 and twice the AP's Defensive Player of the Year, has said he intends to play his final season with the' Bears in 1992. the second straight year, running back Roger Craig went unprotected. Craig, who left the San Francisco 49ers a year ago when he wasn't O'Meara leading by two The Associated Press PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. -Mark O'Meara, arguably the hottest player in the game at the moment and a three-time winner of this tournament, took advantage of near-ideal conditions for a third-round 68 and leads by two strokes entering today's final 18 holes of the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. 1 Ray Floyd, only seven months away from the Senior Tour, and Paul Azinger made the biggest moves at the lead, taking full advantage of the lack of wind and the rain-softened greens.

shot 8-under-par 64 at Pebble Beach, and each could have been better. Azinger missed five putts from 8-10 feet and Floyd failed on a 10-footer for 63 at the final hole. They were tied at 208 with Tom Lehman and Mark Wiebe. Lehman shot 67 at Pebble Beach and Wiebe had a 70 at Poppy Hills. Jim McGovern of Closter is 6-under for the tournament and six strokes off the pace.

From The Record's news services KOHALA COAST, Hawaii -John McEnroe and Rick Leach awoke from a first-set stupor and dominated Argentina's Javier Frana and Christian Minucci, 6-7, 6-2, 6-2, 6-1, on Saturday, advancing the United States into the Davis Cup quarterfinals. The U.S. team's next opponent will be Czechoslovakia, which eliminated Belgium in another first-round series Saturday. McEnroe and Leach, playing as New Zealand cruises past Spain Coe seeks first LPGA win LAKE WORTH, Fla. -Canadian Dawn Coe, hoping for her first victory on the Ladies Professional Golf Association Tour, held a three-way share of first place Saturday at the Olds-mobile Classic.

Coe, a non-winner in her nine-year career, shot a 3-un-der-par 69 for a 54-hole total of 7-under 209. Harkes sparks Sheffield SHEFFIELD, England U.S. World Cup player John Harkes of Kearny assisted on the tying goal and scored the go-ahead goal with five minutes remaining Saturday as Sheffield Wednesday beat Luton, 3-2, in the English first division. Ex-Qlant Hein dies SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. -Hall of Fame center Mel Hein, an All-Pro eight straight years with the Giants, has died following a lengthy bout with stomach cancer, his family said Saturday.

He was 82. Hein died Friday evening at his home in San Clemente. A private memorial service is scheduled for Sunday. An All-American at Washing- 1 The Associated Press SAN DIEGO New Zealand cruised past Spain's Espana 92 by 4 minutes, 16 seconds on Saturday in race No. 6 of the America's Cup Challenger Selection Series.

New Zealand (5-1) took a 16-second lead over the Spanish (2-4) at the start and led thereafter, completing the eight-leg, 20.03-mile race course in 2 hours, 20 minutes, 2 seconds. Italy, in its first-ever America's Cup race against Sweden, sailed to an easy victory after Sweden's Tre Kronor was disqualified for, an im One last week to begin major keel modifications in preparation for the second round of the three- round challenger trials, beginning Feb. 13. First-round victories are worth: one point each, while victories in the second round are worth four points each. Nippon and Ville de Paris, the two boats scheduled to race, against the Australian boats, need-, ed only to sail around the course' within the 4-hour, 12-minute tim limit to receive.