DECATUR - Brit Miller was planning on returning to Decatur anyhow Tuesday.

But after the news he received earlier in the day, he's more grateful than ever to be around family, friends and the familiar comforts of home.

The Carolina Panthers informed Miller they were giving him his release Tuesday, meaning the rookie linebacker from the University of Illinois is now looking for a new chance to hook on with an NFL team.

"They already had three inside linebackers, and it was kind of a numbers game for me," Miller said. "I was playing outside linebacker in our OTAs (optional training activities), but my game is more physical.

"I talked to (Carolina's) general manager and he said, `Brit, talent-wise, I wish I could keep you. But we have too many linebackers under contract and we're cutting this roster.' "

Indeed, Carolina has waived six players in the past week, including another linebacker, Mike Juergens of Wyoming, who was released along with Miller on Tuesday.

"We know San Diego is interested," Miller said Tuesday, moments after receiving the news from the Panthers. "And my agent and I are pretty hopeful about some other teams. But everyone is on vacation now before the start of training camp, so I expect it will be two or three weeks before we hear anything. I knew this was a possibility."

Miller is an undrafted free agent who agreed to a deal with Carolina on April 26, hours after the NFL draft had ended.

At the time, Miller was hopeful he could use his versatility as a linebacker and special teams ace to win a roster spot, even though fellow Illini linebacker J Leman had signed with Carolina over the winter. But Miller said things did not break his way during minicamp and a 12-day "summer school" practice session with the Panthers.

"My agent said it's better to be released now than after training camp begins because I can hook on with a new team and be with them from the start of their camp," Miller said.

Most NFL training camps begin in late July or the first week of August.

Miller also spoke with Illinois' co-defensive coordinator, Dan Disch, who reminded him persistence is a necessary virtue.

"He said this is a career, and if something bad happens, you don't just give up. It can take a year or two sometimes."

That is proving to be true for Leman, who tried unsuccessfully to win a roster spot with the Minnesota Vikings last season. Leman remains on the Carolina roster.

"One of the advantages to being a second-year guy is that you can have it in your contract that you'll be going to training camp, and J has that," Miller said.

Miller said he'll use his time back in Decatur to keep in shape and continue training. He has been in Charlotte, N.C., for the past six weeks and has been home only a day or two since the NFL draft in April.

"Before, I was hoping the phone wouldn't ring," he said, knowing a call from the general manager could only be bad news. "Now, I'll be waiting for a call."

Miller also said he has to consider opportunities in the new United Football League (UFL), which could become a developmental league for the NFL and which launches its inaugural season in October.

"A couple of people have tried to push me toward that," he said. "It's another option."

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