Sun-News report
Article Launched: 06/10/2008
LAS CRUCES - Former New Mexico State University tight end Nick Cleaver went from being disappointed to elated in a matter of days. After being disregarded by the National Football League's New Orleans Saints earlier in the spring, Cleaver signed with the St. Louis Rams on Monday in hopes of cracking the team's Week 1 roster.
Cleaver was discouraged following his workout in New Orleans and seemed to be questioning his football future as a whole. Not anymore, as the Rams brought him in for a tryout on Monday morning, had him take a physical following the 30-minute session and signed him to a deal later in the day. Cleaver was on the practice field on Tuesday, trying to absorb his first look at an expansive NFL playbook.
"Sometimes you gotta give things a second chance," Cleaver said of his turn of fortune. "It was not a great experience in New Orleans. But (Monday) up here in St. Louis was. It feels good to be back on a team."
Cleaver's contract will go into effect once the Rams take the field in their Week 1, Sept. 7 affair against the Philadelphia Eagles. He said that he spent Tuesday mostly on the sidelines trying to learn the formations and tendencies of the St. Louis system. The Rams hired offensive coordinator Al
Saunders in the offseason, who is known for his creative and wide open offensive philosophy.
"It's a lot to take in and I'm trying to learn it all right now," Cleaver said. "I'm studying note cards right now, trying to get caught up. It's a lot more complex than college. Lots of shifts and motion and there will be a lot of throwing."
The Rams currently have five tight ends on the roster. Veterans Randy McMichael and Anthony Becht headline the group along with Cleaver, Joe Klopfenstein and Dedrick Harrington.
Cleaver said that although it was his first day with the team, everyone was welcoming and made him feel part of the organization.
"It's pretty much like any other team I've been on," Cleaver said of the locker room dynamic. "All the guys are pretty cool, everyone said what's up to me and a couple guys who I never met before asked me how my first day was. I feel pretty comfortable."
Cleaver battled through injuries last year to record 33 catches for 388 yards in 11 games. His banner year came in 2006, when the 6-foot-3, 235-pound tight end caught 50 balls for 800 yards and four touchdowns.
For his career, Cleaver set NMSU records for a tight end with 99 catches for 1,298 yards. Prior to Hal Mumme's arrival as head coach in the 2005 season, Cleaver played on the defensive side of the ball as a safety.
Article Launched: 06/10/2008
LAS CRUCES - Former New Mexico State University tight end Nick Cleaver went from being disappointed to elated in a matter of days. After being disregarded by the National Football League's New Orleans Saints earlier in the spring, Cleaver signed with the St. Louis Rams on Monday in hopes of cracking the team's Week 1 roster.
Cleaver was discouraged following his workout in New Orleans and seemed to be questioning his football future as a whole. Not anymore, as the Rams brought him in for a tryout on Monday morning, had him take a physical following the 30-minute session and signed him to a deal later in the day. Cleaver was on the practice field on Tuesday, trying to absorb his first look at an expansive NFL playbook.
"Sometimes you gotta give things a second chance," Cleaver said of his turn of fortune. "It was not a great experience in New Orleans. But (Monday) up here in St. Louis was. It feels good to be back on a team."
Cleaver's contract will go into effect once the Rams take the field in their Week 1, Sept. 7 affair against the Philadelphia Eagles. He said that he spent Tuesday mostly on the sidelines trying to learn the formations and tendencies of the St. Louis system. The Rams hired offensive coordinator Al
Saunders in the offseason, who is known for his creative and wide open offensive philosophy.
"It's a lot to take in and I'm trying to learn it all right now," Cleaver said. "I'm studying note cards right now, trying to get caught up. It's a lot more complex than college. Lots of shifts and motion and there will be a lot of throwing."
The Rams currently have five tight ends on the roster. Veterans Randy McMichael and Anthony Becht headline the group along with Cleaver, Joe Klopfenstein and Dedrick Harrington.
Cleaver said that although it was his first day with the team, everyone was welcoming and made him feel part of the organization.
"It's pretty much like any other team I've been on," Cleaver said of the locker room dynamic. "All the guys are pretty cool, everyone said what's up to me and a couple guys who I never met before asked me how my first day was. I feel pretty comfortable."
Cleaver battled through injuries last year to record 33 catches for 388 yards in 11 games. His banner year came in 2006, when the 6-foot-3, 235-pound tight end caught 50 balls for 800 yards and four touchdowns.
For his career, Cleaver set NMSU records for a tight end with 99 catches for 1,298 yards. Prior to Hal Mumme's arrival as head coach in the 2005 season, Cleaver played on the defensive side of the ball as a safety.