PRO FOOTBALL DAILY REPORT : AROUND THE NFL : ‘Captain Hook’ Meola Gets Cut by Jets

Tony Meola, the goalkeeper for the U.S. soccer team, was waived by the New York Jets, losing out to veteran Nick Lowery, 38.

Meola, dubbed “Captain Hook” by Jets teammates early in camp for his tendency to shank kicks, was signed as a possible designated kickoff man who could learn from Lowery.

Only one of Meola’s five preseason kickoffs reached the end zone, but Coach Pete Carroll said the team hopes to keep him on the practice squad.

Carlton Haselrig, a Pro Bowl guard only two years ago, won’t play football this season.

The Steelers placed the three-year starter on the reserve-left camp list. He cannot be reinstated for the rest of the season.

Three-time Pro Bowl kicker Gary Anderson, who wants his contract renegotiated, was placed on the reserve-did not report list. His $350,000 base salary won’t count against the salary cap, and he can return to the roster by requesting reinstatement from the commissioner’s office.

Haselrig, treated twice last year in drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers, hasn’t been seen by the Steelers since watching their Aug. 13 preseason game against the Raiders.

Defensive end Lee Williams, trying to come back from off-season knee surgery, failed his physical on Tuesday and was waived by the Houston Oilers, who hope to resign him at a lower salary.

Williams, scheduled to earn $1.125 million this season, has spent the preseason rehabilitating his knee but hasn’t been able to practice with the team.

A judge in Memphis, Tenn., acquitted Philadelphia Eagles lineman Bernard Williams of disorderly conduct charges from an incident in which police sprayed him with pepper gas in July.

Williams, 6-foot-9, 315 pounds, was sprayed and arrested July 9 after police said he cursed and threatened them while they searched his car, parked in front of his mother’s home.

He testified that he never raised his voice in asking officers why they were searching his car without a warrant.

Cornerback Darren Anderson, a second-year pro who performed mostly as a nickel back and on special teams last season, was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs for an undisclosed 1995 draft pick. . . . Despite reporting to camp nearly three weeks late because of a contract dispute, Browns’ No. 1 draft pick Antonio Langham was named Cleveland’s starting left cornerback over Donald Frank, acquired in a trade with San Diego. Langham was picked ninth overall in this year’s draft. The Browns also released eight players, the best known being offensive lineman Mike Withycombe, a six-year veteran who played with several teams. . . . The Denver Broncos cut former USC running back Deon Strother. He was third on the depth chart at fullback behind Reggie Rivers and Leonard Russell. . . . Arizona, which released quarterback Will Furrer on Monday, signed Shawn Moore, released last week by Denver. . . . New England released Ervin Collier, a third-round draft pick. The 6-3, 287-pound nose tackle from Florida A&M; was the 78th player chosen in this year’s draft. . . . Linebacker Darin Jordan, a fifth-year veteran who battled back from a serious knee injury, was among five players waived by the San Francisco 49ers. Jordan, 29, the former Northeastern standout who was special teams co-captain last year for San Francisco, tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in the final 1993 regular-season game and was released in February.