Cwalinski Awarded A Golden Opportunity
Shadyside product to try out for the SteelersBy SEth STASKEY
Erik Cwalinski thought his football-playing career was finished after last season ended at Robert Morris.
He had obviously hoped to continue it at the professional ranks, but his coaches weren't able to squeeze him into any pro days leading up to this last weekend's NFL Draft, and he wasn't invited to the annual scouting combine to showcase his abilities for NFL teams.
''For the past three months, I've been throwing a lot hoping something would happen,'' Cwalinski said when reached via phone late Tuesday evening. ''Coming from a small school, I didn't think I would get drafted, but I just wanted a look and try to get my name out there.''
The Shadyside High School product is going to get his chance to 'get a look.'
Cwalinski was informed Monday that he'd been invited for a tryout with the Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers at their UPMC Training Facility on the South Side.
''I didn't know what was going on,'' Cwalinski joked. ''I have nothing to lose and everything to gain, and I am just going to go down there and do my best.''
Cwalinski's coach at Robert Morris Joe Walton, who is the former New York Jets' head coach, talked with Steelers personnel and got the phone call Monday inviting Cwalnski.
''Coach Walton told me to call this scout with the Steelers,'' Cwalinski said. ''I couldn't even believe it when I heard the news. I am as excited as I am nervous.''
When he got on the phone, the Steelers representative told Cwalinski that Walton and assistant coach John Banaszak spoke highly of him and the organization wanted see him work out.
''I really don't know what to expect,'' Cwalinski said. ''I know I am going to be throwing the ball a lot, but I am not sure to whom or if they are going to be looking at arm strength, footwork or other different things.''
Cwalinski, who doesn't have an agent, will be working out with other invited players coming to town.
''(The Steelers) have some receivers coming in and some defensive backs they are looking at too,'' Cwalinski said. ''I am just pretty excited to have the opportunity and hopefully I can make something of it.''
Cwalinski was a three-year starter at Robert Morris and four-year letterman. He passed for 6,839 yards and 53 touchdowns during his career at the suburban Pittsburgh school. Last season, playing a lot of the shotgun, he passed for 2,206 yards on 144 of 295 accuracy. He landed 18 touchdowns and was picked off 12 times.
The 6-foot-3 right-hander enjoyed a brilliant sophomore campaign, throwing for 19 touchdowns and more than 2,000 yards.
''I was pretty excited with how my college career started, but I was disappointed with how it finished,'' Cwalinski admitted. ''We went to a lot more shotgun this year and we were able to move the ball better because of the personnel we had on the team.''
Cwalinski is scheduled to graduate in the coming weeks with a bachelor's degree in sports management. If the football career doesn't work out, he's hoping to land a graduate assistant post either at Robert Morris or West Virginia.
Erik, who is the son of Stan and Pam Cwalinski, graduated from Shadyside in 2005.
