Summers confident NFL will suit him
Former UNLV running back Frank Summers knew his four visits to NFL teams were job interviews, and he wanted to look the part by wearing a suit and tie to all of them.
"I treated it like a business meeting," Summers said.
And now he is only a day from finding out where he will start his business. Summers is expected to be a late-round pick in the NFL Draft on Sunday or sign as a free agent.
After visiting the Pittsburgh Steelers and San Diego Chargers, Summers headed home to the Bay Area to meet with the Oakland Raiders and San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers were the only club to work out Summers because they did not attend his UNLV pro day.
He remained in the area, where he will watch the draft.
"All of them gave me positive feedback and information, and they all said they have a place for me on their team," Summers said.
The Steelers have shown the most apparent interest in Summers (5 feet 9 inches, 243 pounds). They were the only team to send a position coach to the March 5 pro day.
Pittsburgh also recently released short-yardage back Gary Russell, intensifying speculation that room could be cleared for Summers. But Steelers running backs coach Kirby Wilson said this week that move was made for financial reasons, and too much shouldn't be read into it.
"We've got so many areas we need help in, I don't know what's going to happen," Wilson said. "We lost some guys to free agency, so we've got a lot of needs. But there's a lot to like about the big guy."
Wilson said Summers' visit to Pittsburgh "went well. He represented himself and had fun. Everybody should be proud of him. He's sharp, classy, works hard, and I think he has a very bright future."
Whether that future is in Pittsburgh is another matter. Summers, who rushed for 1,668 yards the past two seasons, could go to the hometown Raiders and play in front of family and friends.
"I really feel like I'm a rare breed as a fullback," Summers said. "I can block defensive linemen and linebackers, and I can carry the ball in short yardage, and not only short yardage. I can catch and play special teams."
Contact reporter Mark Anderson at manderson@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2914.
