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Calls from Jets, Chiefs wash away any frustration for players with local ties
By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal sportswriter
Published on Tuesday, Apr 29, 2008
Jabari Arthur and Antonio Reynolds took different approaches to what could have been a frustrating NFL Draft weekend.
Arthur, the University of Akron's all-time leading receiver, watched every minute of the seven rounds even though his name never flashed on the screen. He didn't go to church because the third round began at 10 a.m. Sunday.
''If it lasted 20 hours, I sat in front of the television for 20 hours, from the first pick to the last,'' Arthur said Monday from his home in Montreal. ''I was definitely happy to see my teammate Reggie Corner taken in the fourth round [by the Buffalo Bills]. I had a lot of friends I met at the Hula Bowl and other events picked.
''I looked at it as 'Today is the day my life is going to change. It's a great day.' ''
Although he was not chosen in the 12-hour and 36-minute draft, Arthur's future was decided before he went to bed. He signed with the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday night. His agent Eric Metz said Arthur, 6-foot-3 and 227 pounds, was contacted by a dozen teams.
Reynolds, a defensive end from Tennessee and Buchtel High School, did everything but watch television. Because he hadn't been home to see his family in Akron for a while, he kept busy.
''We had a big breakfast [Sunday] morning, then went to church,'' Reynolds said. ''Then I went to my cousin's flag football game, went bowling, then to my grandmother's house. I wanted to stay active so I didn't have to be sitting around.''
Reynolds signed with the New York Giants and will play end in their 4-3 scheme.
''I finally got it, I made it to my goal,'' Reynolds said.
Several players with local ties who went undrafted agreed to or signed NFL contracts Sunday and Monday.
Akron's Kris Kasparek is headed to Miami to play tight end, while cornerback Davanzo Tate signed with the New York Jets. Reynolds will have competition on the Giants' defensive line from the Zips' Nate Robinson, a native of Irvington, N.J.
''We were prepared for not being drafted,'' said Kasparek's agent, William Parise. ''But (the Dolphins') organization is going through a great period of change and there's going to be a lot of competition for spots. He's the type of player who might get noticed.''
Kent State's Colin Ferrell, a first-team all-Mid-American Conference nose tackle, signed with the Indianapolis Colts. The Golden Flashes have sent six players to the NFL (two drafted, four free agents) over the past two seasons.
Going to Kansas City wasn't a surprise to Arthur. He'd been there on a pre-draft visit and was impressed with coach Herm Edwards.
''They were the first team to call,'' Arthur said. ''I knew they were interested, but I didn't know to what extent. I'm going to give it my best, like I did my whole career.''
Arthur said the Chiefs called before the draft ended, as did several other teams.
''A bunch of teams called and said, 'We're going to take you with the next pick,' '' Arthur said. ''Then the pick came and I felt a little bit disappointed. But I'm glad I ended up where I did.''
Reynolds, 6-4 and nearly 260 pounds, said the Giants called his agent as soon as the seventh round concluded.
''He also heard from the Bears and a couple other teams,'' Reynolds said. ''I guess the Giants came through with a better deal.''
Reynolds was thrilled to be signed by the Super Bowl champions.
''It's a blessing,'' he said. ''I'm on the right team, a good team, a good situation. I can learn from people who have been there. I'm not real nervous, just excited. I'm ready to prove myself.''
Marla Ridenour can be reached at mridenour@thebeaconjournal.com. Read her Browns blog at http://www.ohiomm.com/blogs/browns/.
Jabari Arthur and Antonio Reynolds took different approaches to what could have been a frustrating NFL Draft weekend.
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