San Diego Charger Let Go Of McCardell, Foley And Kiel
By Michael Williams (4/3/2007)
San Diego Chargers released receiver Keenan McCardle and they also let go linebacker Steve Foley and safety Terrence Kiel. Both Foley and Kiel had got into trouble a number of times off the field. This decision was taken by the Chargers a few hours before the free agency started.
McCardell turned 37 in February 2007 and was ninth on the all time list in the NFL with 861 catches. In 2005, McCardell had 9 touchdowns but did not have any last year. He was the team’s fourth leading receiver with just 36 catches for 437 yards and had no touchdowns to his credit.
In September 2006, Foley was shot three time by an off duty police officer who suspected him of drunken driving. Foley missed the season and in February he said that his football career might be over because of the shooting incident. In 2004, Foley had 10 sacks. It is not clear whether the Chargers tried to recover the roster bonus Foley was paid last spring.
Foley has pleaded not guilty to 2 misdemeanor counts of DUI and his jury trial will start on May 7, 2007. According to the police, Foley’s blood alcohol level was nearly three times California’s legal limit at 0.233 percent. Foley has recently filed a civil suit against the police officer who shot him and against the city of Coronado.
Kiel has pleaded guilty to felony and misdemeanor drug charges for shipping codeine based cough syrup to Texas. This is part of the plea bargain that could help him avoid doing a jail term. Kiel was led of the field during practice and was arrested in the locker room by DEA agents in September 2006.
Kiel is still facing charges for relieving himself outside a nightclub in San Diego on December 18, 2006. This incident apparently took place many hours after the Chargers won a home game against the Chiefs. |