Gesser wants to learn
from McNair
NASHVILLE, Tenn. >> Jason Gesser realized in the sixth round of the NFL Draft that he wouldn't be selected, so he quickly became an optimist.
The Washington State quarterback agreed to terms as a free agent with the Tennessee Titans, easing his disappointment at not being among 13 quarterbacks drafted over the weekend.
"In the long run, you have to be where you want to be and where there's the best chance of playing," Gesser said yesterday by telephone from Honolulu. "I was really happy with the way things worked out."
Steve McNair, who finished third in the league's MVP voting last season, and Billy Volek had been the only quarterbacks on the Titans roster. Tennessee released veteran backup Neil O'Donnell for salary cap reasons in February.
McNair is a quarterback Gesser has tried to pattern himself after.
"It's going to be cool to be able to sit there and learn from him in person instead of trying to learn from him on TV. He has a real similar style to what I have playing football," said Gesser, a Saint Louis graduate.
"Seeing how he prepares, how he practices and how he does everything I feel that ... will help me get a lot better."
The 6-foot Gesser shared the Pac-10's offensive player of the year award with Southern California's Carson Palmer, the top pick overall. He was a three-year starter and threw for 8,830 yards with 70 touchdowns and 39 interceptions.
The quarterback was projected as a sixth-round pick and rated ahead of six of the quarterbacks drafted. But his stock dropped because of concerns about his right knee and his ability to throw deep.
"You want to have that feeling that somebody wants you and wants to draft you. I think I got a little mark on me because of my injury, and everyone was scared to risk a draft pick on me because of the injury," Gesser said.
Gesser, the grandson of former Green Bay Packers star and Hall of Fame member Joseph "Red" Dunn, said he will be ready for minicamp later this month despite arthroscopic surgery earlier this year.
Both the Titans and the Detroit Lions talked with Gesser during the sixth round, but Tennessee had swapped its selection in that round with New England so it could jump 10 spots in the fifth round to draft Ohio State safety Donnie Nickey.
Titans general manager Floyd Reese called Gesser a productive and talented quarterback who understands the passing game and defenses.
Broncos sign former Hawaii punter: The Denver Broncos yesterday signed former Hawaii punter Mat McBriar to a free-agent contract.
McBriar said he turned down two other offers to be with former teammates receiver Ashley Lelie and quarterback Nick Rolovich.
"Hopefully, it's a perfect fit," McBriar said.
The undrafted rookie said he'll report to the Broncos' minicamp next week. But he's not sure if he'll be able to work out. The 6-foot, 213-pound Australian is still on a student visa and has applied for a work visa.
McBriar averaged 42.2 yards per punt in his three years with the Warriors. Only Broncos kicker Jason Elam had a better average at Hawaii at 43.5 yards.
Fuata reaches tentative agreement: Lui Fuata could become a New York Jet, but first he must pass a physical in June.
The 6-foot-2, 313-pound guard suffered a torn meniscus in his left knee in the Alabama game Dec. 1, and is still rehabbing.
Fuata attended the NFL Combine even though he couldn't work out for the scouts. He came to a tentative agreement with the Jets yesterday.
"His grade off the tape made him good enough to be invited to the combine," UH offensive line coach Mike Cavanaugh said. "So now it comes down to how well he comes back from the injury and how hard he works."
Fuata would be the third UH lineman to join an NFL team as a rookie this year. Guard Vince Manuwai (Jaguars) and tackle Wayne Hunter (Seahawks) were drafted in the third round last Saturday.
National Football League