Four more NFL-bound
By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer
Two more players with Hawai'i ties were selected in the final day of the NFL Draft yesterday, while former University of Hawai'i linebacker Chris Brown and ex-Washington State quarterback and Saint Louis School star Jason Gesser accepted free-agent deals.
The Buffalo Bills selected Utah defensive tackle Lauvale Sape (Leilehua, 1998) in the sixth round with the 187th overall pick. In the same round, the Indianapolis Colts took Arizona offensive tackle Makoa Freitas (Kamehameha Schools, 1998) with the 208th pick.
"I was happy and also relieved at the same time," Freitas said yesterday from Arizona. "Right now, my main goal is basically trying to make the team."
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About a minute after the completion of the draft, Brown accepted a priority free-agent contract with the Baltimore Ravens. Brown said the Ravens outbid the San Diego Chargers and Philadelphia Eagles for his services.
Chris Brown accepted a priority free-agent contract with the Baltimore Ravens
"I'm happy I got a shot," said Jason Gesser.
"I'm happy because (Hall of Fame linebacker) Mike Singletary is the linebacker coach over there and he called me," Brown said. "So now I'm going to be learning from the greatest linebacker, and I'm going to be playing behind the to-be-greatest-linebacker Ray Lewis."
Gesser yesterday said he was honored to get his NFL chance with the Tennessee Titans.
"I'm happy I got a shot," said Gesser (Saint Louis School, 1998), who finished seventh in the Heisman Trophy voting this past season. "I think what teams were scared about was my injury (he had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee after the season). I'm healed 100 percent. Everything is fine."
Several University of Hawai'i players could still receive free agent contracts, including wide receiver Justin Colbert, defensive lineman Laanui Correa, center Lui Fuata, punter Mat McBriar and running back Thero Mitchell.
All in the family for Freitas
Yesterday, it was Freitas' turn to celebrate, following a telephone call from the Indianapolis Colts. Freitas is the son of former NFL All-Pro Rockne Freitas.
"One of (Indianapolis') front office guys called me and told me to hang on," Freitas said. "He told me that they were going to draft me. Three seconds later I saw my name (on TV)."
Freitas said Indianapolis head coach Tony Dungy welcomed him to the team, and then talked business with the 6-foot-4, 307-pound offensive tackle.
"He said congratulations and talked about the minicamp coming up this weekend," Freitas said.
Freitas improved his draft chances with a solid NFL Combine performance. Freitas bench pressed 225 pounds 36 times, the third-highest repetitions among offensive tackles, and also ran 5.01 seconds in the 40-yard dash, among the fastest times for tackles. As a result, draft analysts projected him to be a fifth- or sixth-round pick.
"I think (the NFL Combine) kind of helped me a lot," Freitas said. "That forced people to go back and re-evaluate me. I heard I would probably go in the fifth or sixth round, or maybe the fourth. I was happy at where I went."
The same reaction was shared by Rockne Freitas, an All-Pro tackle with the Detroit Lions in 1970 and 1972.
"What makes (my children) happy, makes me happy," the father said. "That's my initial reaction. The Indianapolis Colts have a great coach up there, Tony Dungy. I think they're an up-and-coming team and there's some great opportunities up there.
"I'm just really pleased that he has a chance to compete," continued Rockne Freitas, whose oldest son, Makai, was an offensive lineman and deep snapper at Arizona (1997-2000). "I'm sure he'll be fine."
Sape, a 6-foot-2, 297-pound defensive tackle, played his final two years at nose guard. He finished his career year with 88 tackles, including 41 solo tackles. He had six sacks for minus-32 yards and 19 stops for losses of 65 yards. He started 14 of 35 games in four seasons.
Notes: University of Hawai'i linebacker Pisa Tinoisamoa (St. Louis Rams, second round, 43rd overall), offensive guard Vince Manuwai (Jacksonville Jaguars, third round, 72nd overall) and Wayne Hunter (Seattle Seahawks, third round, 73rd overall) were drafted Saturday. ... The first player with Hawai'i ties drafted was Notre Dame center Jeff Faine, who was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the first round, 21st overall. Faine lived in Hawai'i for 10 years. Another player who spent his early life in Hawai'i — Kawika Mitchell — was selected in the second round by Kansas City (47th overall).
