Aug. 15, 2010

BELLINGHAM, Wash. -

by JOE SUNNEN - THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

Former Western Washington football player Matt Overton must be getting tired of being dumped by the Seattle Seahawks.

Their latest relationship lasted about three months, the longest courtship to date, before ending amicably last week when the Seahawks fell in like with another rookie long snapper.

We really like you they told him, but it's just not going to work. It's not you, it's us. But just in case something comes up let's stay in touch. We can still be friends.

For anyone counting that's the third in the last three years and second time in the last seven months the Seahawks have flirted with the idea of something long term with Overton only to figure there must be something better. Seattle Seahawks, fickle be thy name.

"I got caught up in the numbers game," Overton said. "It's tough, but it's a business. They had some injuries; they needed a linebacker and had to make a roster move. Then they wanted to see what that other guy could do. They know what I can do."

It's enough to make a Kardashian's head spin. And if Overton threw his hands up and walked away from the whole business of football no one would blame him. Except he can't. Or rather he won't. Not yet. Not when he's been this close.

"It's disappointing to be sure," Overton said. "I thought I would at least get to play in one game, but it didn't happen. This place is kind of my second home so it was tough, but there's still a chance I could end up with another team. It only takes one team out of 32."

And so Overton is left sounding more like Moonlight Graham than Blood McNally. At this point he'd take just one snap in an NFL game and be happy - preseason or otherwise - the way Graham yearned for an at-bat in the bigs.

Now he waits for the phone to ring and keeps working out just in case he gets another shot. He said he planned on watching the Seahawks play Tennessee in their preseason opener on Saturday, Aug. 14, no matter how painful it might be to be sitting on a couch instead of standing on the sidelines.

"I made a lot of friends when I was with them," Overton said. "I have a lot of buddies on the team. It really was a great experience. It's a great organization. It just hurts right now."

And that's the tough part. Overton seems like a pretty good guy. He's a straight shooter. He works hard at his obscure craft. He held a football camp for kids in his hometown of Tracy, Calif., a few weeks before training camp opened because he wanted to give back to the community. He brought along some of those pro football buddies to show the kids that dreams can come true.

Now it's looking like there's a good chance his won't. At least not this year. You just hope that somewhere in his talk with those kids he told them never to give up on that dream even when you get dumped over and over again.

The toughest part is that Overton knows he can do the job; he just has to convince the NFL. He can fire a football like a missile upside down and between his legs. He can snap a ball into a cubby hole the size of a shoebox. Check it out. It's on YouTube, right next to him pulling an SUV around like it's a toy on a rope and doing squat reps with 405 pounds.

If the NFL doesn't call soon, he'll likely try his trade in the United Football League again. He did well there last season and helped the Florida Tuskers to the UFL championship game.

"The good thing is that there are alternatives," Overton said. "The UFL is a good stepping stone. It got me noticed once before. I'll take whatever route I need to take."

And who knows? Maybe if things don't work out with the Seahawks' latest fling at long snapper they'll come calling on Overton again. If that happens, he should probably ask for flowers and candy the next time they offer him a contract - just a little something extra to patch things up.