Release by Chargers might be end for Flutie

SAN DIEGO -- Doug Flutie has been sent ramblin' and scramblin' once again, and this time it might be for good.

The San Diego Chargers released Flutie on Friday, the latest move in the quarterback's roundabout 20-year career that has taken him through eight teams in three professional leagues.

The 42-year-old Flutie will always be remembered for the desperation pass against Miami that helped him win the 1984 Heisman Trophy with Boston College. While that play earned him legendary status that lingers to this day, he struggled for success in the NFL because there were always questions about his 5-foot-10 size.

Flutie has always been young at heart and stayed in great shape. He wanted to stay in San Diego for another season because his daughter, who attends La Jolla High, will be a senior next fall.

"I think Doug definitely wants to try and play at least for another year," his agent, Kristen Kuliga, said from Boston. "I'll be looking at what opportunities might be out there, with a team that wants a quality backup quarterback."

Doug Flutie says he will consider other options now. (AP)

Flutie, a fan favorite wherever he's played, had two years left on his Chargers contract and was due a $350,000 roster bonus on Tuesday. Counting that bonus, he was to earn $1.35 million in 2005.

Although he was always exciting when he was on the field, Flutie became expendable after Drew Brees, who had an outstanding 2004 season, signed an $8,078,000 contract as the team's "franchise" player. The Chargers don't need to carry four QBs, like they did last year, because they also have Philip Rivers, the fourth overall pick in last year's draft, and second-year man Cleo Lemon.

Flutie was heading to Stowe, Vt., on Friday, to play drums in a weekend gig with his Flutie Brothers Band, Kuliga said.

In a statement released by the Chargers, Flutie thanked the late John Butler, who was general manager when the QB signed as a free agent in March 2001, and current GM A.J. Smith.

"There are no hard feelings. It's a mutual parting," Flutie said in the statement. "It's the right thing for me. It opens up other doors of opportunity for me if I want. Rather than retiring outright, I wanted to be released so that I could pursue other things if they arise."

Flutie often spoke of returning to the CFL, where he starred from 1990-97, but Kuliga said she'd explore all NFL options first.

If no team signs Flutie, he will become the last USFL player to exit the NFL. Punter Sean Landeta, cut last season by the Rams, had often joked of outlasting Flutie for that honor.

Smith said he'll miss Flutie's competitiveness and experience.