April 30, 2007
Pocatello, ID --- While Idaho State's top two players from 2006 didn't hear their names on draft day, they are heading to the NFL just the same. Matt Gutierrez and Pago Togafau were both signed to free agent contracts, with Gutierrez headed to the New England Patriots and Togafau to the Arizona Cardinals. Both players will participate in their respective teams' upcoming minicamps.
Gutierrez spent just one year with Idaho State after playing at Michigan his first four years. With the Bengals the 6-4, 231 pound quarterback threw for 2,237 yards and 16 touchdowns, and he scored another five TDs rushing, and had one receiving. Gutierrez with 187-for-342, and he had the 11th-most yards in ISU history with a 394-yard three-TD effort against Northern Arizona.
Gutierrez was the only Bengal invited to the NFL combine in Indianapolis, and his workout impressed a number of teams, and there were several NFL draft blogs and analysts who felt that Gutierrez might be a late-round selection. However, only 11 quarterbacks were taken in the draft, and Gutierrez was among a handful of notable undrafted QBs, including Boise State's Jared Zebransky, and Florida's Chris Leak.
The Patriots currently list only starter Tom Brady and backup Matt Cassel on their depth chart and their roster. Brady, like Gutierrez, went to Michigan, and Cassel was not a starter for USC, playing behind the likes of Matt Leinart. Last year the Patriots, coached by Bill Belichick, coaxed 44-year old Vinny Testaverde out of retirement to serve as the teams' third string quarterback.
The fact that Togafau did not go to the combine makes his signing with Arizona even more special. The 5-10, 220 pound linebacker is considered a Zach Thomas-type player. Togafau finished his career with 361 tackles, and he became the first Bengals to ever lead the team in tackles with three consecutive 100+ tackle seasons. Togafau was on the Buck Buchanan Watch List for the nation's top defensive player in the FCS classification for most of the year.
A consummate special teams player as well, Togafau will look to make a Cardinals roster that is in a state of change as the Cardinals have a new coach in Ken Whisenhunt, the former offensive coordinator for the Steelers and considered one of the game's top offensive minds. Arizona did draft Florida State's Buster Davis in the third round, the only linebacker that they drafted. Arizona has signed 12 NFL free agents in the off-season, but none were linebackers.
Both players will get a chance to show their stuff to their new teams very soon, as Gutierrez will take part in New England's mini-camp starting on May 11, and Togafau will go to Arizona's starting on May 12.
