Hlas column: Hawkeyes' Reisner and other undrafted free agents locked out of chance to make good early NFL impressions

Were this last year, or any previous year of the last few decades, Marion's Allen Reisner would have a pro football home right now.

But the senior tight end from the 2010 Iowa football team has no employer. He took finished the last of his college final exams last Thursday, he stays in shape, and he waits for the NFL's lockout of players to end.

Until it does, undrafted free agents like Reisner and former Hawkeye teammates Ryan Donahue, Brett Greenwood, Jeremiah Hunter, Derrell Johnson-Koulianos and Brett Morse are on the outside looking in, not knowing who they will sign with or how long they'll have to make an impression with those teams once they do.

“I've just got to keep working out and be ready for when the day comes,” Reisner said.

What normally happens immediately after the seven-round NFL draft ends is teams going on a two-hour blitz to scoop up all the undrafted free agents. It's about 400 players spread among the 32 teams. If you're a senior college player of any repute, you'll get a shot with somebody. It's a tough road to a roster spot, but many undrafted free agents make NFL teams every year.

Jack Bechta represents a slew of other former Hawkeyes including Eric Steinbach, Tony Moeaki, Jonathan Babineaux, Pat Angerer and Ricky Stanzi. He also has Reisner and Greenwood as clients, and is in the unfamiliar role of counseling players who have no teams in May.

Bechta theorizes that this lockout could - and the operative word is “could” - work in the undrafted free agents' favor.

“What we don't know,” Bechta said, “is if when the lockout ends, will veteran free agency be put ahead of undrafted free agents? If undrafted free agents can be signed before veteran free agents, it could be a pretty nice situation for them. For instance, if Allen signs and is in a team's third or fourth tight end spot. Then maybe that team won't sign a veteran free agent for that spot.

“Also, the extra time gives us the chance as agents to forensically look at all the rosters and really dig to find the best spots for players, as opposed to two hours after the draft when everything is in free-fall and there's not time to decipher all the information.”

The draft itself changes the depth chart and needs of each team. For instance, Denver and Tampa Bay each drafted two tight ends. Bechta won't be shopping Reisner to those clubs. But 23 teams didn't draft a tight end this year. Those teams have had time to ponder who to bring in to their camps, and Bechta has had time to evaluate which clubs are most likely to give Reisner a chance to make a team.

The downside for those in Reisner's situation is obvious. As the lockout grows longer, there is less and less time for rookies to make impressions on coaches and general managers.

“If you have shortened minicamps or no minicamp,” said Bechta, “then yes, it can hurt your opportunity. You may not get as many reps. You may not get the dedicated rookie time of minicamps. That's when you're normally taught the basics of how the offensive and defensive systems work.”

NFL training camps are scheduled to open in late July. But until the lockout ends, the teams can't talk to players, be they veterans, 2011 draftees or free agents. Teams can't talk to players' agents, either.

“I try not to think about it too much,” Reisner said. “You've just got to be patient and wait it out.”

Bechta serves as a bit of a psychologist to his rookie clients these days. “I call them every few days,” he said. I just tell them to keep working out. It's all they have control over.

“I'm optimistic something will get done before the starting date of training camps. I'm pessimistic it will get done in the next 30 days.”

Which means rookies would really have to hit the ground running once camps do open, because they and their new coaches would be virtual strangers.

“Only the strong and smart will survive,” Bechta said.