Attendance is relevant

Rick Devereux

Monday’s arrival party for Andy Stokes as Mr. Irrelevant XXX was an

opportunity for former honorees to give the William Penn University

tight end advice as what to expect during the week as well as during

training camp.

Tuesday’s Lowsman Banquet at the Irvine Marriott was a time for

more accomplished football players to impart their words of wisdom.

Dave Levy -- who was a coach at USC and for the NFL’s San Diego

Chargers and Detroit Lions, NFL Europe and most recently an assistant

at Estancia High -- said the New England Patriots have checked nearly

every fact regarding their 255th pick in the NFL Draft.

“They have talked to every coach you have ever had, every teacher

you ever had and just about every person you have come in contact

with,” Levy said. “They would love to have you beat someone out [of a

spot on the team].”

A theme kept popping up from the guest panel. If Stokes wants to

secure a spot on the roster and impress the Patriot coaches, he

should volunteer for the special teams.

“I spent 15 years playing on special teams,” Hall of Fame tackle

Ron Yary said. “I asked to be on special teams because I knew how

important they were. There was always one or two guys that wouldn’t

make the team but always [found a roster spot] because they excelled

in special teams.”

Another point made by the guests was being the last pick in the

draft does not necessarily mean making the roster is an impossible

mission.

“You aren’t the 255th pick in the draft,” Hall of Fame tackle Ron

Mix said. “You are the 255th greatest college player available for

the draft. The difference [between whether you make the team or get

cut] isn’t talent. The difference is your work ethic, your heart,

your willingness to dig deeper.”

Rich Saul was a Pro Bowl center for the Rams in the 1970s despite

never playing on the offensive line in college or high school. “I was

drafted in the eighth round, so there is still hope for you,” Saul

told Stokes, who was drafted in the seventh round. “I played for 12

years in the NFL because I wanted it more than the next guy.”

Stokes’ showed his commitment to making the team when he left in

the middle of the banquet in order to arrive in Foxboro, Mass., in

time for workouts today.