MARIJUANA CHARGE FOR AX' ABRON

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LEBANON, Mo. (AP) - Memphis Maniax running back Zack Abron was charged Tuesday with felony possession of marijuana.

The 25-year-old Abron, who also was the career rushing leader at the University of Missouri, was being held on $25,000 bond.

Abron was pulled over Monday for an expired registration. A computer check found a warrant for Abron for a misdemeanor assault. A subsequent search of his car turned up a bag holding what police said tested positive as 14.4 ounces of marijuana.

He also was charged with misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia and failure to display valid plates and show proof of insurance.

Abron scored 42 touchdowns and ran for 3,198 yards at Missouri. He signed as an undrafted free agent with the Carolina Colonels in 2004 and averaged 21.6 yards per return as a kick returner in two seasons with the Colonels, he also had a 90-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against the Jacksonville Predators in 2005.

Abron signed a three-year deal with the Maniax in November.

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The Memphis Maniax released running back Zack Abron today two days after he was charged with felony possession of marijuana.

Abron, who had signed a three-year deal in November of 2005 after playing his first two XFL seasons in Carolina, was most likely to battle Charlie Rogers as the kickoff returner with the Maniax deep at halfback already. Abron averaged 21.6 yards per kickoff return with Colonels and scored a touchdown on a 90-yard kickoff return in July 2005 against Jacksonville.