Grant may not
have to go north
of the border

The converted safety from UH
gets chance in NFL with Bengals

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By Dave Reardon
dreardon@starbulletin.com

Rob Grant had resigned himself to playing pro football in Canada, if at all.

But yesterday morning the Hawaii safety and special teams standout got a call from the Cincinnati Bengals.

It's the NFL for Grant, after all.

As of last night, the Bengals and Grant's agent, Leigh Steinberg, were putting the finishing touches on a free-agent contract.

"I was definitely surprised and excited, after all this time of waiting," Grant said. "My thought was to get ready to go to Canada already."

Grant will report to the Bengals on Thursday for a minicamp that runs Friday through Sunday.

Grant (6 feet, 211 pounds last fall) has been in Hawaii the past two weeks working out. He successfully switched to safety from running back last year.

"He's an outstanding athlete with a great future ahead of him," UH defensive backs coach Rich Miano said. "We just wish we had him for another year."

Meanwhile, the news -- or lack of it -- for another former Warriors player wasn't as good. Quarterback Nick Rolovich had a three-day tryout with the Dallas Cowboys last week, but remained unsigned as of last night.

UH coach June Jones and Steinberg, who is also Rolovich's agent, are trying to line up other opportunities for him.

Free-agent offensive linemen Manly Kanoa (Falcons) and Brian Smith (Ravens) completed minicamps last week. Safety Nate Jackson has one coming up with the Tennessee Titans.

Wide receiver Ashley Lelie, the first-round draft pick of the Denver Broncos, reports to the team for a minicamp this weekend.

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UH Athletics