SAN DIEGO, 8:14 a.m. PST March 1, 2001 -- Ryan Leaf, one of the biggest thorns in San Diego Chargers side, has been cut, 10News reported.

The Chargers got rid of Ryan Leaf after three turbulent seasons, waiving the bad-boy quarterback on Wednesday as new general manager John Butler began reshaping the NFL's worst team.

Leaf was hailed as a savior when the Chargers took him with the second pick overall in the 1998 draft, right after Indianapolis took Peyton Manning. Instead, he quickly turned into a distraction with his poor play on the field and his boorish behavior off it.

Leaf's downfall began just three games into his rookie season. He screamed obscenities at a reporter during a locker room blowup, portions of which were caught on videotape.

He leaves the Chargers with a 4-14 record as a starter, having thrown 33 interceptions and just 13 touchdown passes.

Leaf missed all of the 1999 season with a shoulder injury and seemed to have gotten his career back on track when he won back the starting job last summer. But he was benched after throwing five interceptions and just one TD in the first two games.

Although he started the final six games, he never did regain the respect of his teammates. The same could probably be said of his fans. A number of Chargers fans told 10News that they were happy to see Leaf get the boot.

Said one fan: "(It) should've happened a year ago."

Coach Mike Riley said he was disappointed because he had hoped to help turn around Leaf.

"All these things are accumulative, and you talk about it for a long, long time," Riley said, referring to Leaf's numerous distractions.

"We all realize his ability but we also have to look out for what might be better for the team and the long run. It's a move that we were obviously comfortable in making."

The Chargers will take a $3.8 million hit against the salary cap this season by releasing Leaf, but obviously felt it was worth it.

Butler declined to give specific reasons for the moves, other than to say they were organizational decisions and would give the players a chance to catch on elsewhere since free agency begins Friday.

"I wish him the best," Butler said Wednesday.

The Bolts will likely replace Leaf (pictured, right) with CFL quarterback Dave Dickenson.

The San Diego Chargers became the latest team to import a CFL quarterback Wednesday, agreeing to a two-year deal with Dickenson of the Calgary Stampeders.

Dickenson, who had talked with several other NFL teams, had until Wednesday to agree to terms or have his rights revert to the Stampeders for another season.

Dickenson preceded current Chargers quarterback Ryan Leaf at Charles M. Russell High in Great Falls, Mont., in the early 1990s.

Dickenson, who has been plagued with injuries during his five-year CFL career, is expected to compete for the Chargers' backup job. That competition could also include Michael Vick if the Chargers take the Virginia Tech quarterback with the first pick in the April draft.

In a press conference Wednesday, Butler said he had met recently with Vick and that the meeting had been "good."

The Chargers also are expected to sign a veteran NFL free agent.

Now that the Chargers are Leaf-free, do they have a winning chance? Yes No Archive | Disclaimer

Dickenson was the CFL's Most Outstanding Player after throwing for 4,636 yards, 36 touchdowns and just six interceptions last year while leading the Stampeders to the playoffs. He completed 64 percent of his passes.

Doug Flutie and Jeff Garcia also were named the CFL's Most Outstanding Player before jumping to the NFL.

Last week, the Green Bay Packers signed quarterback Henry Burris, the CFL's leading passer last year for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

After working out with the Chargers earlier this month, Dickenson rejected an offer, saying the signing bonus was too low.

The Chargers' final offer to Dickenson reportedly included a $25,000 signing bonus.

Four other veteran Chargers players were also released Wednesday: Cornerback DeRon Jenkins, cornerback Darryll Lewis, guard Kevin Gogan and running back Robert Chancey.

Previous Stories:

• January 5, 2001: Chargers Put Butler In Charge
• December 26, 2000: Chargers Finish Season 1-15
• December 19, 2000: Will The Draft Make A Difference?
• December 19, 2000: Bolts Clinch Worst Record, Top Draft Pick