Princeton's McCareins signs pact with Arizona
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
By CRAIG HALEY
ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR
PRINCETON TOWNSHIP -- Princeton All-American cornerback Jay McCareins hopes to benefit from not getting selected in the later rounds of the NFL Draft.
The senior sifted through six free-agent offers Sunday night and selected the one with which he felt the most comfortable. He then signed with the Arizona Cardinals.
"I am extremely excited to start fresh in Arizona," said McCareins, who led Division I-AA in interceptions (nine) and passes defensed (20) last fall, while leading Princeton a 7-3 record. "They told me they weren't drafting any cornerbacks and safeties, and they didn't. I'll get a chance to go in there and prove myself as an athlete and competitor on both the defense and the special teams."
Princeton senior tight end Jon Dekker, who like McCareins made the All-Ivy League first team last fall, signed a free-agent contract with the Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers. He led the Tigers with 32 receptions and four touchdown catches, both of which were career highs.
"To sign with the world champions is very exciting," said Dekker. "To be with such a great organization and to have the chance to play for coach (Bill) Cowher is a great opportunity for me. I'm looking forward to getting going with the Pittsburgh Steelers and doing everything I can to try and make the roster."
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Rutgers senior offensive tackle Sameeh McDonald signed a free agent contract with the Detroit Lions.
The 6-foot-5, 310-pound McDonald was a three-year starter on the offensive line for the Scarlet Knights. As a senior, he started all 12 games at right tackle, helping Rutgers to a 7-4 mark in the regular season and a berth in the 2005 Insight Bowl.
