METAIRIE, La. -- The New Orleans Saints cut wide receiver Biren Ealy and tight end Kolomona Kapanui on Tuesday, two days after the players were arrested for allegedly being drunk and exposing themselves to two women in the parking lot of a suburban apartment complex where they live.
Ealy and Kapanui were arrested early Sunday morning by Jefferson Parish authorities, who booked the players for obscenity, disturbing the peace and lewd conduct. Authorities alleged that Ealy and Kapanui were drunk, urinated in public and then exposed themselves when the women who called authorities came upon them.
The players' lawyer, Donald "Chick" Foret, said Ealy and Kapanui did nothing obscene and believed they were in a secluded area, late at night, when only one of them -- Ealy -- relieved himself behind a garage.
"This is not an obscenity crime," Foret said. "How many times have you had fraternity kids who are urinating in public? And this is a case where you had two guys together who went out at night. They came home, one of them wanted to change his pants and he was urinating in what he thought was a secluded area, and a young lady walked up on him, and he overreacted verbally. But never, ever, ever, did either of these young men threaten, intimidate or expose themselves to anyone."
Ealy and Kapanui were released from jail on bond Sunday night.
Ealy, 24, signed a free-agent contract with the Saints in January. He spent the past two seasons with the Tennessee Titans, mostly on the practice squad.
Kapanui, 25, spent part of last season on the Saints' practice squad. He began his NFL career as an undrafted free agent with the Cleveland Browns, who released him during the 2008 preseason.
The Saints also signed three undrafted free agents: Western Illinois running back Herb Donaldson, Kent State offensive tackle Augustus Parrish and Louisville wide receiver Chris Vaughn.
Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press
