
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, August 24, 1994                   TAG: 9408250046
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: B-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

JETS WAIVE U.S. GOALKEEPER MEOLA

Tony Meola, the U.S. soccer goalkeeper and former Virginia standout who was so impressive in his first workout for the New York Jets that they signed him, was one of two players waived by the team on Tuesday.

Meola and rookie linebacker Horris Morris, the team's fifth-round pick in the April draft, were cut and linebacker Tory Johnson was placed on the injured reserve list - meaning he'll miss the season - after undergoing knee surgery.

The moves trimmed the Jets' roster to the league-mandated total of 60.

Meola, dubbed ``Captain Hook'' by teammates early in camp for his tendency to shank kicks, was signed as a possible designated kickoff man who could learn the ropes from 38-year-old place-kicker Nick Lowery.

Only one of Meola's five preseason kickoffs reached the end zone, but coach Pete Carroll said the team hopes to keep Meola around, keep him learning.

``We would like to get him on the practice squad,' Carroll said. ``We'll have to see how the numbers fall.''

A move in that direction could come as early as 4 p.m. Monday, one day after NFL teams must pare their roster down to the final 53-man squad.

``We're pleased with the progress he made. His technique was improving,' general manager Dick Steinberg said. ``He was hitting the ball better. And he got some experience in game situations. However, the clock is running in this business and time was running out. We just didn't have enough time for him to get to a point where we could make a spot for him on our 45-man roster.'

Meola was expected to better when he signed a free-agent contract with the Jets July 19.

``This is not necessarily how I wanted it,'' Meola said. ``I'm happy with my progress so far. Hopefully, I'll be back.''

Keywords:
FOOTBALL

by CNB