When he was in college, Gordie Lockbaum made news as a two-way player. These days, he's just trying to make an NFL roster - for the second time.
Cut last year by the Pittsburgh Steelers, Lockbaum is giving it another try with the Buffalo Bills."I'm a lot more comfortable," Lockbaum said Wednesday at the Bills' training camp. "My approach to the game has changed a lot in a year's time."
Lockbaum attracted national attention in his junior and senior seasons at Holy Cross by playing defensive back and halfback for the Crusaders.
During his junior season, Lockbaum was promoted as a Heisman Trophy candidate. He finished fifth in the Heisman voting in his junior year and third in his senior year.
The Heisman hype helped Lockbaum catch the eye of the NFL, and the Steelers made him a ninth-round draft choice. At training camp with Pittsburgh, Lockbaum lost a close battle for a roster spot to veteran Rodney Carter.
Lockbaum spent the season in his hometown of Glassboro, N.J., coaching linebackers at Glassboro State and working as a substitute teacher and broadcaster.
In other news around the NFL training camps:
Los Angeles Rams
Frank Stams, the first of three players drafted in the second round by the Rams, ended a 14-day holdout and reported to training camp.
Seattle Seahawks
Nine Seahawks veterans, including starting offensive linemen Bryan Millard, Ron Mattes and Edwin Bailey, officially joined first-round draft choice Andy Heck as holdouts, and starting running back John L. Williams was a no-show for Wednesday's practice.
Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles signed third-round draft choice Robert Drummond to a series of three one-year contracts.
San Francisco 49ers
Wesley Walls, the 49ers' second-round draft pick, signed his contract on Wednesday and was on the field for the morning workout.
Chicago Bears
Former Notre Dame running back Mark Green signed a contract Wednesday with the Chicago Bears. Green, a 5-foot-11, 184-pounder, was the Bears' fifth-round pick in the college draft.
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons signed veteran linebacker Jessie Tuggle and added quarterback David Weber to their training camp roster.
New Orleans Saints
Starting running back Dalton Hilliard agreed to terms, leaving four unsigned veterans and four unsigned draft choices.
Dallas Cowboys
Linebacker Willis Crockett, a fifth-round draft pick from Georgia Tech, agreed to contract terms. With the agreement, the Cowboys have signed all their draft picks except tight end Keith Jennings of Clemson, their other fifth-round choice, and quarterback Steve Walsh, the team's first-round choice in the supplemental draft.