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One minute, Pagel was at a local gas station with former UW-L running back Joe Rivard getting ready to leave for the Twin Cities to see Slipknot. The next, Joe Linta, Pagel's Connecticut-based agent, was calling to tell Pagel that the
San Diego Chargers wanted to sign him to a free-agent contract. Which, obviously, he will do this week.
So while Pagel's present included a night of heavy metal at the Xcel Energy Center, he knew the trip he would be taking in the immediate future — namely, to San Diego's mini-camp later this week — would be a lot more fun. Fun in southern California with the opportunity to earn a spot on the defending AFC West champion-Chargers' roster.
"This (being approached by the Chargers) was kind of unexpected. I really don't know what to say," Pagel said. "Green Bay, Seattle and Cincinnati showed some interest, but they had signed
all the guys they needed. I originally was going to go to New Orleans and try out without a contract offer. Then, (Linta) called and said San Diego wanted to sign me."
You can forgive Pagel for being a little surprised. Both he and UW-L coach Larry Terry said San Diego may or may not have been one of the 25 NFL teams that sent scouts to La Crosse over the past year to watch Pagel work out, practice or play. Pagel didn't get to do too much of the latter as he missed five of UW-L's 11 games with a sprained right foot. As a result, he finished with just 52 carries for 249 yards and two touchdowns.
However, Linta made sure Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer knew about Pagel. Linta, who represents former UW-L linebacker and current Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Mike Maslowski, also represents three players on the Chargers' roster. Linta told Schottenheimer that Pagel was strong (5-foot-11, 240 pounds). He told Schottenheimer that Pagel had run a 4.38-second 40-yard dash last winter.
Linta said both Pagel's size and speed caught Schottenheimer's eye, so convincing Schottenheimer to take a chance on Pagel was an easy sell.
"Matt is very fast and very athletic. And to be honest, I have a pretty good relationship with coach Schottenheimer," Linta said. "I think he trusts my judgment, but Matt's track record speaks for itself. Once they looked at Matt, they knew he could help them."
Terry believes Pagel can make a difference with the Chargers, even if it's just on special teams.
"Matt has nice size and very good speed. He's at his best when he has the ball in his hands," Terry said. "I always tell our guys that all they can ever ask for is an opportunity. Our guys (like Maslowski and former UW-L wide receiver Bill Schroeder) have had to go through NFL Europe to earn their shot. I hope Matt gets his chance with the Chargers. I'm very happy for him."
And Pagel also was smiling as he prepared for his venture to the NFL.
"Joe is a good agent; he gets guys in the NFL," said Pagel, an Oconto, Wis., native. "I was pretty confident that something was going to happen; I just didn't know where I would go. Now, I just want to go out and prove myself."
NO NEWS FOR BURNOSKI, POWELL: While Pagel was on his way to the Chargers, former UW-L wide receiver Scott Burnoski and linebacker Dustin Powell were in a holding pattern.
John Perla, Burnoski's Milwaukee-based agent, said that no teams had contacted him about Burnoski, the 2004 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Year and UW-L's career leader in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. Meanwhile, Powell, a Tomah High School graduate, said no teams had contacted him, either.
WSU DUO SIGN: Winona State University record-setting wide receiver Chris Samp will go to training camp in his hometown after agreeing to a free-agent deal with the Green Bay Packers, while quarterback Brian Wrobel, a De Soto High School graduate, will join the Seattle Seahawks.
Samp, who played in high school at Green Bay Preble, caught 222 passes for 4,471 yards in his collegiate career.
Wrobel completed 242 of 442 passes for 3,977 yards with 43 touchdowns and 17 interceptions.
