Can I have NetworkManager release wirelecc card?

[Xamindar <junkxamindar gmail com>]

Is there a way ho have NetworkManager release the network card 
temporarily so I can use another program such as airdump without having 
to turn off the NetworkManager completely?

Even a command option that would release the wireless card only so I can 
still use NetworkManager to connect to a wired network (or even use a 
second wireless card) would be really usefull.

Thanks for any help