Arenas prepares for next test in NFL

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http://www.gadsdentimes.com/article/...TS02?p=1&tc=pg

By Andrew Schmidt
Times Sports Writer

Published: Saturday, July 17, 2010 at 10:02 p.m.
Last Modified: Saturday, July 17, 2010 at 10:04 p.m.

RAINBOW CITY — Former Alabama defensive back Javier Arenas expects to be in training camp with the Kansas City Chiefs when it begins in less than two weeks despite not having signed a contract.

The 5-foot-9 Arenas’ growth from little-known recruit to All-American and national champion is a true underdog story. Before Alabama came calling late in the recruiting process during Arenas’ senior year of high school in Tampa, Fla., his only other offer was from Florida Atlantic.

The Chiefs drafted Arenas in the second round of April’s NFL Draft. The team’s training camp begins July 30, and Arenas plans to be there to help his new team.

Some might say Arenas has to prove himself all over again, but he doesn’t see it that way. He’s just trying to be himself.

“It’s not so much trying to prove myself,” Arenas said. “It’s just working hard because that’s who I am. I know what I’m capable of. Some people don’t think I’m capable of it, so I just happen to prove them wrong. But it’s not me trying to prove myself. It’s just me being who I am.”

He enjoyed being himself during a stop Saturday in Etowah County, appearing at Martin’s Family Clothing to sign autographs and greet fans.

“It’s exciting to be here,” Arenas said. “It reminds you how rich the tradition is in Alabama. It’s nice to see people excited to come see me and meet me.”

Arenas’ exploits on the football field made his appearance a popular one for Crimson Tide fans in the area. He excelled as a punt returner and defensive back, earning All-America honors during his career with Alabama. He also was an integral part of the school’s national championship run last season.

Now, Arenas is on the verge of the next test in his athletic career — the National Football League.

He said the team’s expectations of him as a rookie are in line with what he expects of himself.

“They just want me and the rest of the rookies to contribute however we can and that’s what we want to do. I expect to contribute any way I can; special teams, defense, whatever I have to do.

“I’m expecting to go in and work hard. I’m looking forward to working with my teammates. My expectations are to go in and work hard and earn something.”

Chiefs general manager Scott Pioli said shortly after the draft that Arenas could settle in with the Chiefs as a slot corner and kick returner, much like he did at Alabama.

“He’s coming in to compete for playing time but he does have the skill set and the mental capacity to be that slot player,” Pioli said during a post-draft press conference in April. “He also brings the obvious dynamic of being a good returner.”

Arenas will look to give a boost to the defensive secondary and special teams of a franchise that has struggled in recent years. Since reaching the playoffs in 2006, the Chiefs have won a total of just 10 games over the past three seasons.

For his part, Arenas feels prepared to make an impact. He said the three years he spent with Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban in the Alabama defensive backfield were invaluable in helping prepare him for the pro game, where he will work for head coach Todd Haley, defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel and secondary coach Emmitt Thomas.

“He instilled responsibility within his players so he could depend on them to go out and win games,” Arenas said of Saban. “Watching him coach and get us prepared for the games, you pick up a lot of things from him.”

The Chiefs’ training camp will be held in St. Joseph, Mo., on the campus of Missouri Western State University. The squad’s first preseason game is scheduled for Aug. 13 against the Falcons in Atlanta.