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OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS
As undrafted rookie, Palma product must make most of training camp with Cardinals
By JOHN DEVINE
Herald Staff Writer
Article Last Updated: 07/26/2007 01:30:47 AM PDT
Training camps in the NFL are often looked on as nothing more than a dress rehearsal for the regular season.
Unless you're that undrafted free agent that little is known about. In that case, six weeks to make an impression may not seem enough.
Former Palma High standout Elliott Vallejo is in that position as the rookie descends to the desert Friday to begin training camp with the Arizona Cardinals.
"I'm anxious,'' Vallejo said. "I want to get down there and see what happens. I felt I held my own in mini-camp. The NFL isn't as crazy as I thought it would be. I suspect things will change when the pads go on.''
Size alone has made the 6-foot-7, 316-pound right tackle an attraction. Hidden gems have gone undrafted before.
Plus the Cardinals offensive line has been a sore spot. The last two years, the running game has been among the worst in the NFL. Both quarterbacks were injured last fall.
"The offensive coordinator told us if you're the best, you're going to play whether you are a veteran or a free agent,'' Vallejo said. "He said we're going to turn this franchise around.''
In other words, the door is open for the 2002 Palma graduate. Vallejo is one of 13 offensive lineman expected to report to camp Friday, six of which are offensive tackles.
The expectation is that nine will be kept. Being able to play more than one line position could enhance the 23-year-old's chances of being on the 53-man opening day roster. "Being able to play multiple positions makes you more versatile,'' said Vallejo. "So too would be the ability to play special teams. You have to get the coaches' attention.''
Signed to a two-year deal minutes after the NFL draft concluded in April, Vallejo was allowed to take part in just one mini-camp before returning to UC-Davis to graduate.
"Basically mini-camp is full speed without pads,'' Vallejo said. "Coaches do not give you a lot of feedback. You hope you're making an impression.''
It was hard for Vallejo to gauge the difference in the speed of the game since he did not go up against any Cardinals defensive starters.
Able to control only what was thrown at him, he showed quick feet and enough upper body strength to keep defensive linemen in front of him in mini-camp.
"To me, it felt like going up against a good college player,'' Vallejo said. "I felt I was able to hold my own. No one got past me in pass blocking drills.''
In between graduating and getting married, Vallejo spent three weeks in Phoenix, taking part in a strength and conditioning program.
Vallejo called it a bonding experience. He also ran into former UCLA teammate, Matt Ware, a defensive back.
Vallejo spent one forgettable season as a redshirt freshman at UCLA before giving up his scholarship and temporally giving up the game, transferring to UC-Davis.
"He remembered me right away,'' Vallejo said. "A lot of the veterans kept their distance. But a lot of us younger guys hung out in the hotel and played poker."
A new coaching staff at Arizona has promised nothing other than a change in direction. The franchise has made one playoff appearance in 20 forgettable years in the desert.
Vallejo has not met new Arizona head coach Ken Whisenhunt. But he has gravitated toward offensive line coach Russ Grimm, a former Redskins offensive lineman.
During rookie dinners with the coaches, Vallejo got a chance to pick Grimm's brain on the finer points of the position.
"He's an amazing coach,'' Vallejo said. "He has given me a lot of pointers. He's been touted as the best offensive line coach in the NFL. I can see why.''
For Vallejo, he has had the opportunity to work with two former NFL players. As a senior at Palma, he was coached by former 49ers center and current Stanford line coach Chris Dalman.
Vallejo has traded e-mails with Dalman, who spent two years as an offensive line assistant in Atlanta before joining Stanford's staff this year.
"It was more of a congratulations thing than anything,'' Vallejo said. "He just reminded me to go in and work.''
With jobs at stake, Vallejo realizes the intensity will heat up in training camp, particularly when the pads start popping.
To earn a job, he'll likely have to catch the eye of the staff, outplay a veteran, and not make many mistakes when called upon during the Cardinals four exhibition games.
"What it'll boil down to is making the most of my opportunities,'' Vallejo said. "Knowing the plays and executing them. Potential only goes so far."
John Devine can be reached at [email protected] and 646-4405.
Local accolades · Vallejo was a member of the Herald's All-County offensive team as a tackle in 2001 and also lettered in wrestling and track and field. He was coached at Palma by former 49ers lineman and current Stanford offensive line coach Chris Dalman, a Palma alum.
As undrafted rookie, Palma product must make most of training camp with Cardinals
By JOHN DEVINE
Herald Staff Writer
Article Last Updated: 07/26/2007 01:30:47 AM PDT
Training camps in the NFL are often looked on as nothing more than a dress rehearsal for the regular season.
Unless you're that undrafted free agent that little is known about. In that case, six weeks to make an impression may not seem enough.
Former Palma High standout Elliott Vallejo is in that position as the rookie descends to the desert Friday to begin training camp with the Arizona Cardinals.
"I'm anxious,'' Vallejo said. "I want to get down there and see what happens. I felt I held my own in mini-camp. The NFL isn't as crazy as I thought it would be. I suspect things will change when the pads go on.''
Size alone has made the 6-foot-7, 316-pound right tackle an attraction. Hidden gems have gone undrafted before.
Plus the Cardinals offensive line has been a sore spot. The last two years, the running game has been among the worst in the NFL. Both quarterbacks were injured last fall.
"The offensive coordinator told us if you're the best, you're going to play whether you are a veteran or a free agent,'' Vallejo said. "He said we're going to turn this franchise around.''
In other words, the door is open for the 2002 Palma graduate. Vallejo is one of 13 offensive lineman expected to report to camp Friday, six of which are offensive tackles.
The expectation is that nine will be kept. Being able to play more than one line position could enhance the 23-year-old's chances of being on the 53-man opening day roster. "Being able to play multiple positions makes you more versatile,'' said Vallejo. "So too would be the ability to play special teams. You have to get the coaches' attention.''
Signed to a two-year deal minutes after the NFL draft concluded in April, Vallejo was allowed to take part in just one mini-camp before returning to UC-Davis to graduate.
"Basically mini-camp is full speed without pads,'' Vallejo said. "Coaches do not give you a lot of feedback. You hope you're making an impression.''
It was hard for Vallejo to gauge the difference in the speed of the game since he did not go up against any Cardinals defensive starters.
Able to control only what was thrown at him, he showed quick feet and enough upper body strength to keep defensive linemen in front of him in mini-camp.
"To me, it felt like going up against a good college player,'' Vallejo said. "I felt I was able to hold my own. No one got past me in pass blocking drills.''
In between graduating and getting married, Vallejo spent three weeks in Phoenix, taking part in a strength and conditioning program.
Vallejo called it a bonding experience. He also ran into former UCLA teammate, Matt Ware, a defensive back.
Vallejo spent one forgettable season as a redshirt freshman at UCLA before giving up his scholarship and temporally giving up the game, transferring to UC-Davis.
"He remembered me right away,'' Vallejo said. "A lot of the veterans kept their distance. But a lot of us younger guys hung out in the hotel and played poker."
A new coaching staff at Arizona has promised nothing other than a change in direction. The franchise has made one playoff appearance in 20 forgettable years in the desert.
Vallejo has not met new Arizona head coach Ken Whisenhunt. But he has gravitated toward offensive line coach Russ Grimm, a former Redskins offensive lineman.
During rookie dinners with the coaches, Vallejo got a chance to pick Grimm's brain on the finer points of the position.
"He's an amazing coach,'' Vallejo said. "He has given me a lot of pointers. He's been touted as the best offensive line coach in the NFL. I can see why.''
For Vallejo, he has had the opportunity to work with two former NFL players. As a senior at Palma, he was coached by former 49ers center and current Stanford line coach Chris Dalman.
Vallejo has traded e-mails with Dalman, who spent two years as an offensive line assistant in Atlanta before joining Stanford's staff this year.
"It was more of a congratulations thing than anything,'' Vallejo said. "He just reminded me to go in and work.''
With jobs at stake, Vallejo realizes the intensity will heat up in training camp, particularly when the pads start popping.
To earn a job, he'll likely have to catch the eye of the staff, outplay a veteran, and not make many mistakes when called upon during the Cardinals four exhibition games.
"What it'll boil down to is making the most of my opportunities,'' Vallejo said. "Knowing the plays and executing them. Potential only goes so far."
John Devine can be reached at [email protected] and 646-4405.
Local accolades · Vallejo was a member of the Herald's All-County offensive team as a tackle in 2001 and also lettered in wrestling and track and field. He was coached at Palma by former 49ers lineman and current Stanford offensive line coach Chris Dalman, a Palma alum.
