Chiefs decide against inviting White to camp

Tuesday, May 3, 2005

Associated Press

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Jason White, the former Oklahoma quarterback passed over in the NFL draft, won't be invited back to the Kansas City Chiefs' mini-camp.

White, who won the Heisman Trophy as a junior in 2003, got the news Sunday from coach Dick Vermeil at the end of a three-day tryout for rookies. He had been competing with seventh-round draft choice James Kilian of Tulsa for a possible spot with the Chiefs, who already have three veteran quarterbacks on the roster.

''What I recommended him to do, if he really wants to play in the NFL, is to go to the Arena League, sharpen his skills and compete,'' said Vermeil. ''I think he's aware of where he is and what he needs to do.''

General manager Carl Peterson had said earlier that it might be two weeks before the Chiefs made a decision on White, adding they'd be willing to send films of his Kansas City workout to any other teams that showed interest in him.

White told The Daily Oklahoman he wasn't sure what's ahead for him, but that he's not interested in trying Vermeil's suggestion.

''He's got his opinion,'' White said. ''Whatever he thinks. I saw how I matched up with other NFL rookies.

''I think given the right situation and working on certain areas of my game, I could do it,'' White said of playing in the NFL. ''But who knows if that situation is gonna come up?''

Vermeil said White ''got better each day'' during the rookie session and quarterback coach Terry Shea said he performed above what the Chiefs expected of him.

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