Hurricane Floyd
07-27-2002, 10:25 AM
CHENEY, Washington (Reuters) - Quarterback Ryan Leaf has failed to report to the Seattle Seahawks' training camp and informed coach Mike Holmgren on Friday that he no longer has the desire to play football.
One of the NFL's biggest disappointments after being selected second overall in the 1998 draft, the 26-year-old signed a contract with the Seahawks last May after being released by the Dallas Cowboys.
Although he flopped on the field and alienated management and team mates with his behavior off the field in his first three seasons with the San Diego Chargers, Leaf was a popular figure in Seattle since he starred at Washington State.
He was expected to compete with rookies Jeff Kelly and Ryan Van Dyke for Seattle's third-string job behind starter Trent Dilfer and backup Matt Hasselbeck.
His decision to finish playing appears especially mysterious after Leaf had participated in the team's spring mini-camps and said he was looking forward to another chance after being waived by three NFL teams.
Selected after quarterback Peyton Manning in the 2002 draft, Leaf was a nightmare for the Chargers.
He faltered on the field, winning just four of 18 games with 13 touchdowns and 33 interceptions and missed the entire 1999 season with a shoulder injury
However, it was Leaf's behavior off the field, which included criticizing team mates and management and frequent tirades, that forced the Chargers to release him in March 2001.
Leaf signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers later in the month, but was bothered by a sore right wrist and did not make the team.
He signed with the Cowboys in October after Quincy Carter tore his hamstring. Leaf lost all three of his starts for Dallas and completed 45-of-88 passes in four games.
In four seasons, Leaf started 21 of 25 games and had 14 touchdowns and 36 interceptions.
One of the NFL's biggest disappointments after being selected second overall in the 1998 draft, the 26-year-old signed a contract with the Seahawks last May after being released by the Dallas Cowboys.
Although he flopped on the field and alienated management and team mates with his behavior off the field in his first three seasons with the San Diego Chargers, Leaf was a popular figure in Seattle since he starred at Washington State.
He was expected to compete with rookies Jeff Kelly and Ryan Van Dyke for Seattle's third-string job behind starter Trent Dilfer and backup Matt Hasselbeck.
His decision to finish playing appears especially mysterious after Leaf had participated in the team's spring mini-camps and said he was looking forward to another chance after being waived by three NFL teams.
Selected after quarterback Peyton Manning in the 2002 draft, Leaf was a nightmare for the Chargers.
He faltered on the field, winning just four of 18 games with 13 touchdowns and 33 interceptions and missed the entire 1999 season with a shoulder injury
However, it was Leaf's behavior off the field, which included criticizing team mates and management and frequent tirades, that forced the Chargers to release him in March 2001.
Leaf signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers later in the month, but was bothered by a sore right wrist and did not make the team.
He signed with the Cowboys in October after Quincy Carter tore his hamstring. Leaf lost all three of his starts for Dallas and completed 45-of-88 passes in four games.
In four seasons, Leaf started 21 of 25 games and had 14 touchdowns and 36 interceptions.