ST. LOUIS (June 8, 2005) -- Kyle Turley, who missed last season with a back injury and then clashed with coach Mike Martz in the offseason, has been released by the St. Louis Rams after failing a physical.
The offensive tackle was designated as waived, failed physical, by the team earlier this week, although there has been no official announcement. The Rams will take a salary cap hit of $1.82 million this year and $5.47 million in 2006.
The Rams on also cleared wide receiver Isaac Bruce, who did not participate in the team's three-day minicamp over the weekend due to an abnormality in a heart test, to return to the field. The team expected Bruce to participate in organized team activities this week.
Turley started every game at right tackle in 2003 for the Rams after being acquired from the Saints for a second-round draft pick, but underwent surgery for a herniated disc in March 2004. He reinjured his back early in the 2004 training camp and was placed on injured reserve in late August.
Once at about 310 pounds, Turley was at about 235 pounds earlier in this offseason due to forced inactivity. He said he had added about 30 pounds but talked recently about playing a position such as tight end or fullback due to his diminished size.
The Rams filled Turley's spot in the lineup when they drafted offensive tackle Alex Barron in the first round of the draft. Turley did not appear at the team's three-day minicamp over last weekend.
Last December Turley, upset about a remark that the team hadn't seen him since he reinjured the back, engaged in a shouting match with Martz in the coach's office. Turley said then in a statement that there had been a "heated, unfortunately profane exchange" during which he said Martz had told him he had come to St. Louis "just to take the money and run."
Turley was a controversial player in New Orleans, known most for a helmet-tossing episode in 2001. Turley attacked Jets safety Damien Robinson when Robinson grabbed the face mask of Saints quarterback Aaron Brooks, ripping off Robinson's helmet and throwing it downfield.
He then made an obscene gesture that got him ejected. He also drew a 15-yard penalty that ended the Saints' final chance to tie or win the game.
