Chargers cut DB McNeil

By BERNIE WILSON
AP Sports Writer

CARSON, Calif. (AP) The San Diego Chargers cut free safety Ryan McNeil on Tuesday, guaranteeing the NFL's most porous secondary will have all new starters this year.

McNeil, who played in the Pro Bowl two seasons ago, was moved from cornerback to free safety after last season, when the Chargers had the league's worst pass defense and the third-worst defense overall.

With McNeil gone, all four of San Diego's starters in the secondary from opening day of last season are gone. Strong safety Rodney Harrison was released in February and signed by New England, and cornerback Alex Molden and free safety Rogers Beckett were also released.

McNeil became expendable due to the signing of free agent Kwamie Lassiter, who will play free safety, and the emergence of rookies Hanik Milligan and Terrence Kiel.

Milligan is listed as the backup to strong safety Vernon Fox, a second-year pro. Kiel will be in the mix at strong safety once he recovers from being shot during an attempted carjacking on July 4 in Houston. Kiel could return to practice by next week.

``Everybody can't stay,'' said general manager A.J. Smith, who used his first three picks in the April draft and four of seven overall to take defensive backs. ``We're just flat out pleased with the progress of the young players, and we're just think they're going to rise, and rise quickly.''

Quentin Jammer, who made four starts as a rookie after holding out all of training camp, and Tay Cody, in his third season, are the cornerbacks.

The defense got a good deal of the blame last season as the Chargers lost seven of their last nine games to finish 8-8. Coupled with an ineffective pass rush, the Chargers allowed opponents to throw for 300 or more yards eight times, including two 400-yard games.

(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)