New York Giants: The Giants released veteran guard Dusty Zeigler Monday after he failed his physical because of a bad knee, ESPN.com's John Clayton reports.

Zeigler, 29, tried to come back from chronic knee problems, but he had been experiencing problems with a knee that required microfracture surgery. A recent visit to a doctor determined that his knee wasn't getting better and that he might not be able to play this season.

"I'm not able to do the things to play football at this point in time, Zeigler told The Associated Press. "I have an outside chance to play football again. It's a matter of if and when I get healthy and if somebody takes a chance on me. I can't predict when that will be.''

The Giants save $1.8 million of salary by releasing him and they will take a $1.005 million cap hit next season.

Ziegler played for Bills from 1996-99 before joining the Giants in 2000.

"Any time a player you have won with and shared good moments with leaves you, it's not pleasant,'' general manager Ernie Accorsi said. "Dusty Zeigler was a major part of our Super Bowl team and was a terrific player and person. To see people like him leave is not one of my favorite parts of the business.''

Kansas City Chiefs: The Chiefs released 36-year-old cornerback Ray Crockett, a 14-year NFL veteran.

Crockett's release saves the Chiefs $3 million this year. They will take a $1.25 million hit next year.

The 49ers, who have been looking for backup cornerback help, might be on Crockett's list of possible landing places. -- John Clayton

Pittsburgh Steelers: Offensive lineman Calvin Collins, a five-year veteran who did not play last year, signed a one-year contract with the Steelers on Monday.

The 6-foot-2, 307-pounder was a sixth round draft pick in 1997 from Texas A&M. Drafted by Atlanta, he played center and guard with the Falcons before signing with the Vikings in 2001.

He later signed with the Houston Texans but was released before last season began.

Minnesota Vikings: Prosecutors dropped all charges against a substitute middle school teacher and former Vikings player who was accused of throwing a seventh-grader over a desk and punching him.

Van Waiters, 38, was charged with aggravated child abuse after a student at Horace Mann Middle School said Waiters lifted him by the neck, threw him over a desk and punched him on April 10. Waiters was charged on April 23, and had already been released on $5,000 bond.

Prosecutor Michael Padula said in a written statement Monday that witnesses said the student punched Waiters and that he only held the student to keep him off him. The student fell over the desk after Waiters released his grip, witnesses told investigators.

"There is too many inconsistencies in the alleged victim's version of the story and many other more credible versions indicating that the defendant was acting in self-defense,'' Padula said.

Cincinnati Bengals: The Bengals on Monday reached agreement with seventh-round draft choice Scott Kooistra, an offensive tackle from North Carolina State, ESPN.com has learned. The 215th player chosen overall, Kooistra will sign a three-year, $951,000 contract.

The deal includes a $41,000 signing bonus and rookie minimum base salaries of $225,000 (for 2003), $305,000 (2004) and $380,000 (2005). The 2003 salary cap charge is $238,667.

Kooistra, 22, is the second of the Bengals' nine draft choices to reach contract terms, joining top pick Carson Palmer. He started 25 games over his final two seasons and has already made a good impression on Bengals coaches in mini-camps. Kooistra is projected to make the Cincinnati roster. -- Len Pasquarelli