THE National Football League holds its annual draft this weekend to replenish its stock. I'm more interested in two former University of Hawaii players who have had long shelf lives in the NFL. Tuinei, Sapolu not
ready to call it quitsNamely, Mark Tuinei of the Dallas Cowboys and Jesse Sapolu of the San Francisco 49ers -- two remarkable war horses in the NFL trenches. They have earned seven Super Bowl championship rings between them.
They're still looking to add to that booty. They're still members of their respective teams, no matter what you've heard recently. Especially in Tuinei's case.
The reports of his career coming to an end with the Cowboys are greatly exaggerated, according to Tuinei.
Sure, the Cowboys released him two days ago in order to free up $850,000 in their salary cap to sign free-agent running back Chris Warren. But Tuinei knew that's what the team had planned to do months ago.
"I can understand where that's coming from," Tuinei said from his home in Plano, Texas. "(Owner) Jerry Jones told me that if I can come back from my knee injury, there's a spot on the team for me."
Tuinei, who had bone-graft surgery on his right knee, is still attending team meetings and doing rehab. He's no longer on crutches.
"In two months we'll renegotiate. I'll cross that bridge when that happens," said the 6-foot-5, 314-pound Tuinei, who had started at left tackle for the Cowboys since 1984.
IN 15 years with the Cowboys, who signed him out of Hawaii as a free agent in 1983, Tuinei has played in more games on offense than any other player in Dallas history.
It's interesting that Tuinei and Sapolu have the same motivation to play one more season. In 1998, both can set their respective team's record for most seasons played -- 16.
"That's my biggest motivation," said Tuinei, who shares the team record with retired defensive tackle Ed "Too Tall" Jones and special teams player Bill Bates.
Sapolu shares the 49ers' record with Hall of Famer Jimmy Johnson. And although Joe Montana might be "Mr. 49er," he's third in team history with 14 seasons.
"I know Mark wants that record just as I want mine," said Sapolu, who's in town to host several fund-raising benefits, including a golf tournament for the Shriner's Hospital Monday at Luana Hills.
"It's a record that never will be touched in this day and age of free agency. Nobody stays with the same team that long anymore," said Sapolu, who came back from heart surgery to play his 15th year.
"Mark and I come from a different generation. With the money now, the new guys don't have that same kind of commitment to a team. There's no way you can keep together a dominating team like we had with the 49ers in the 1980s.
"In 1994, we were lucky to get Deion Sanders for a million dollars. Now you get backup guys for that much."
SPEAKING of backup guys, Tuinei and Sapolu realize that's the role they will be expected to play this season. And because of that, they'll have to be content making the minimum wage for veterans. Especially if they want to set team records for longevity.
Tuinei figures he'll make approximately $350,000 if he signs. But he'll push for incentive clauses, as will Sapolu, who's asking for a minimum of $400,000. With another condition.
"No training camp like last year," Sapolu said.
He's not concerned about the bumps and bruises.
"I just want to spend more time playing golf. It's fun," said Sapolu, who took up the game two years ago and has worked his handicap down to a respectable 14.