Ryan Claridge Linebacker ranks No. 3 on UNLV's all-time list with 293 tackles Ex-UNLV running back Larry Croom is hoping to land a spot on the San Diego Chargers' roster. Croom spent the past two seasons with Arizona. Photo by The Associated Press.

The opening of NFL training camps should be a time of hope for several former UNLV players, but it can also be a time of cruel business decisions.

Linebacker Ryan Claridge won't be part of New England Patriots camp when it opens today. He was released by the team Thursday, with coach Bill Belichick and vice president of player personnel Scott Pioli telling Claridge he "didn't fit the scheme," according to the former Rebel.

"I'm not going to go to a bar and drink and be all sad," said Claridge, the Patriots' fifth-round pick in 2005. "I've been given a lot of opportunities in life, and I've taken advantage of most of them. Life is about choices. I'll make a decision and go on and work hard."

It's uncertain whether that decision will involve another football team.

"There are always options," Claridge said. "Whatever I do, I want to be happy. I've had a rough year."

Claridge missed all last season with a shoulder injury, then was shocked by the death of his brother, Travis, in February.

Claridge, whose 293 career tackles are third on UNLV's list, chose to go through injury rehabilitation in Las Vegas last season rather than stay in New England. Speculation on the club's Web site suggested Claridge didn't do himself any favors by being out of sight.

"They didn't have anything bad to say about it, so I stayed out in Vegas," Claridge said. "Whether that was wrong, bad or indifferent, who knows? That's the way it worked out at the time."

Another former Rebels linebacker, Adam Seward, took a different tack when sidelined by injury last season.

The 2005 fifth-round draft choice of the Carolina Panthers missed all but four games with a broken right foot in his rookie season. But Seward stayed around, attending team meetings and standing on the sideline during games.

"It wasn't about rolling over and disappearing," said Seward, UNLV's all-time leader with 433 tackles. "I got a much better feel of the defense. I was also working hard and getting in shape."

Carolina's camp opens Saturday, and Seward said he's among the many candidates for the two starting spots at outside linebacker. He might also back up two-time Pro Bowler Dan Morgan in the middle.

"As much as I like Dan Morgan and he's a great player, he is having injury problems," Seward said. "(Coaches) told me I had a solid chance to be a backup in case he goes down because he hasn't played a full season. But they say they want to get their three best linebackers on the field."

Other former UNLV players who figure to be part of opening-week rosters are safety Sam Brandon (Denver Broncos) and wide receiver Keenan McCardell (San Diego Chargers). Defensive end Anton Palepoi is trying to land a backup job with the Arizona Cardinals, and tailback Larry Croom is hoping to make the Chargers.

Croom, who rushed for 932 yards as a senior in 2003, hopes his play overseas will help. He rushed for 427 yards and six touchdowns for the Amsterdam Admirals, and he scored his team's only touchdown in the World Bowl.

While Croom is hopeful the Chargers will take his NFL Europe play into consideration, he isn't banking his future on it.

"I think it's pretty much a 'What have you done lately?' " he said.

Croom was on the Arizona roster for the past two years. Last year he did not see any action. In 2004, he played in six games, starting one.

He hopes to latch on as a member of San Diego's special teams or a backup to LaDainian Tomlinson.

"I'm going to fight and compete to be on the team," Croom said. "I think the San Diego Chargers are going to have great success this year, and I want to be a part of it."

Former UNLV tight end Greg Estandia has had an especially difficult year. He was considered UNLV's best prospect in this year's NFL Draft but was not selected.

The Cincinnati Bengals, who showed interest in Estandia before the draft, signed him April 30 to a free-agent contract. But the club released him May 25, and Estandia said he still doesn't understand why.

"I thought it was (the perfect fit), too," Estandia said. "I guess I wasn't what they were looking for to fit their type of mold for a tight end. To tell you the truth, I don't know exactly what happened."

The Jacksonville Jaguars acquired Estandia May 30, but then cut him June 29.

Estandia still hopes an NFL team will call him this season. The Canadian Football League is an option next year.

"I don't know what they're thinking," said Estandia, who led the Rebels last season with 49 receptions for 563 yards and seven touchdowns. "It's a business. That's the way things go. I'll have to go the long, hard route to get into (professional football). I know what I've got to do. It's frustrating, that's for sure."

Estandia isn't alone in his frustration.

The past few months have not been kind to several former Rebels. Safety Jamaal Brimmer (New York Giants), center Dominic Furio (Philadelphia Eagles) and cornerback Kevin Thomas (Buffalo Bills) have been released.