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Panthers planning for free-agent route
By DOUG NEWHOFF, Sports Editor
CEDAR FALLS --- For five Northern Iowa football players, the means won't be as important as the end when the NFL conducts its annual draft this weekend.
While Jonathan Harrell, Justin Sandy, Eddie Galles, Benny Sapp and Marlus Mays would like nothing better than to see their names posted on the draft board during ESPN's extensive coverage of the event, they'll be satisfied to receive a phone call late Sunday afternoon or evening.
That's when many NFL teams will extend free-agent offers to hundreds of prospects without the big names or reputations of those fortunate enough to be drafted.
"Everybody wants to get drafted, but I'm not too concerned how I get there," said Galles, echoing the sentiment of his former Panther teammates. "Just give me a chance."
Harrell, a bruising 6-foot-2, 230-pound linebacker, was a hot commodity after his 2002 season at UNI. He's still UNI's best candidate to be drafted and is ranked among the top 10 inside linebackers by several scouting services.
"He's probably our highest one going into this," said Panther head coach Mark Farley. "What happened with Jonathan ... he was highly regarded going into the season, but he played hurt the entire season and had surgery in January. He's just getting healthy now."
Harrell wasn't able to complete all of the testing when the NFL people came to work him out, and he doesn't know what to expect this weekend.
"I've heard from a couple of teams, but they're just calling to reassure my phone number," he said from his home in Montgomery, Ala. "I just can't say for sure. I've just got to wait and see."
Harrell said the testing he was able to do went well, and he took a trip to Indianapolis where the NFL Combine was held for a physical.
"They X-rayed my ankle, and it came up negative," he said. "It showed it was getting better. I'm not 100 percent, but I'm getting close. I'll be ready if I get into a mini-camp."
Galles, a 6-2, 190-pound receiver, had a big senior season for UNI after spending his summer at an NFL developmental camp in Atlanta. He believes he's done everything he can to enhance his opportunities.
Galles ran a 4.47-second 40-yard dash, posted a 43-inch vertical leap and recorded an 11-foot standing broad jump. According to the statistics he's seen from the NFL Combine and other pro days around the country, his vertical leap ranks No. 1 and his broad jump is among the best.
"I've talked to a few people," he said. "I talked to the Jets yesterday. They wanted to confirm my draft-day phone number. I talked to the Colts the other day, too, and a few other teams have talked to my agent.
"Different people say different things. All I feel like is that if I get invited, I'll do whatever I have to do. There won't be any politics involved once we get to camp or the media pumping up certain guys. They'll be able to see what's what."
Sandy, a 6-foot, 215-pound safety, also tested well, but he has no idea how things may shake out.
"It's pretty unpredictable," he said. "They said they liked what they saw here, but they don't give you anything concrete. I think I'll be able to get into somebody's camp. I'll be happy with that."
The free-agent route is the most likely scenario for the sure-handed Mays and the speedy Sapp, as well.
Mays was also nagged by injuries last season after piling up nearly 1,000 receiving yards in 2002. He finished his UNI career with 116 catches for a little more than 2,000 yards and a per-catch average of nearly 17 yards.
Sapp, a cornerback, spent two seasons at UNI after transferring from Iowa. He was almost always matched up with the opposition's best receiver while also proving himself to be a dangerous kick returner.
"They're all making a statement with the kind of shape they're in," said Farley. "If they do get into a mini-camp, that's where they need to make an impact. They need to make it that first day.
"But they're ready. That's kind of been the trademark at UNI."
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