It’s all in the
Cards for Chang

The former Hawaii quarterback
was undrafted but agreed to
terms with the Arizona Cardinals

By not having his name called during last weekend's NFL Draft, former Hawaii quarterback Tim Chang was able to feel out the next step in his football career before making the jump to professional football.

Although it would have been nice to be drafted, as a rookie free agent, the NCAA's all-time passing yardage leader had the chance to pick his own route to the league and agreed to terms with the Arizona Cardinals yesterday.

"The blessing in disguise is that if you're not drafted you do have that ability to analyze the situation," said Steve Dubin, Chang's agent. "Whereas when you're drafted, your fate is kind of sealed."

Along with Chang, cornerback Abraham Elimimian will get an opportunity to win an NFL roster spot after signing yesterday with the San Diego Chargers.

Wide receiver Chad Owens, a sixth-round pick of the Jacksonville Jaguars, was the only UH player drafted over the weekend. Defensive linemen Lui Fuga (San Diego) and Matt Faga (Miami) also signed free-agent deals.

Chang, a Saint Louis School graduate, ended his UH career with 17,072 passing yards and owns 28 UH passing records. He will report for the Cardinals mini-camp later this week along with Brigham Young safety and former Kahuku standout Aaron Francisco.

Chang will attempt to earn a job with the Cardinals, who went 6-10 last season and signed two-time NFL MVP Kurt Warner in the offseason. Arizona also has quarterbacks Josh McCown, Chris Lewis and John Navarre on the roster.

"Before the draft got over they were on the phone talking with him," said Levi Chang, Tim's father.

"He would like to have been (drafted). I don't know what goes into the equation, but we're happy with what he's got. He's still got to prove himself and he has a chance, if he makes the team, to learn under one of the best in Kurt Warner. So that works well for him."

UH coach June Jones worked with new Cardinals offensive coordinator Keith Rowen in Atlanta when they were both Falcons assistants in the 1990s. Jones said Rowen contacted him regarding Chang and Owens.

"We had a long talk about Timmy, so I'm sure he's well aware of what (Chang) was asked to do in our system and watched him on tape," Jones said. "He'll certainly know a lot about him."

Elimimian will join Fuga at the Chargers' mini-camp, along with two other rookie cornerbacks signed by the defending AFC West champions.

"I just want to play football," Elimimian said. "They're an exciting up-and-coming team that had a great record last year."

Elimimian's draft prospects were hampered by a disappointing time in the 40-yard dash during the NFL combine, but he was still hopeful of getting a call over the weekend.

"(Sunday) was very frustrating. I don't really know what happened," he said.

Elimimian said he considered offers from Arizona, the New York Giants and Chicago Bears before signing with San Diego. He was an All-Western Athletic Conference pick as a cornerback, but could get a look at safety as well.

"It's early in the process, so we'll see," he said.

The Chargers didn't draft a defensive back over the weekend, but signed Michigan cornerback Marcus Curry and Boise State's Gabe Franklin yesterday.