BY GEOFF HOBSON
The Cincinnati Enquirer
For Jason Fabini, the University of Cincinnati's steel-belted tackle, Saturday lasted forever. Then it seemed like Sunday would never come.
But when coach Bill Parcells finally called him at noon Sunday in the fourth round of the NFL draft to inform him he was a New York Jet, it seemed just about right. Parcells loves those huge "mashers" like the 6-foot-5, 305-pound Fabini.
"To tell you the truth, I thought I was a first-day guy," said Fabini. "But I don't think it could have worked out better. The only place it will affect me is in the pocketbook. I think I'm a Parcells type of player. He's a hard-nosed guy. I'm looking forward to playing for the Jets."
Teams may have been scared by Fabini's ponderous 40-yard dash time, clocked at 5.58 seconds at the league's scouting combine. But that didn't stop Parcells from making Fabini his first offensive selection of the draft. Then Parcells told him he expected starting right tackle David Williams to retire in June because of back problems. Fabini has been projected to be a right tackle as well as a guard on both sides, but Parcells informed Fabini he would keep him at right tackle his entire rookie season.
Add to the mix that the Jets aren't enamored with Williams' backup, Siupeli Malamala, a seven-year reserve, and Fabini should get a long look. He'll find out right away, because he leaves Thursday for this weekend's mini-camp.
"Jason is a big, strong right tackle type," Parcells said. "We feel like there may be a need there depending on David Williams. Certainly he has the size and power to do well in this league.'
Fabini thought the hometown Bengals might have opted for him instead of Iowa guard Mike Goff with the 14th pick in the third round. And he thought the Jets might make a run at him earlier because they had seemed the most interested. A week before February's NFL scouting combine, Jets offensive line coach Bill Muir visited Clifton and the two did lunch around a day of watching film.
But when the fourth round came, Fabini became anxious. He admitted he was "about to start throwing stuff around," before being the 19th player picked in the round.
ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr., perhaps his biggest supporter, stood with Fabini Sunday, saying if he had run better at the combine, he would have gone in the second or third round.
"I'm going to have to send him a fruit basket," Fabini said.
The 6-4, 288-pound Ransom wasn't too surprised when the Chiefs came calling, since Marty Schottenheimer was the only head coach who came to one of UC's workout days. Ransom switched from tackle to end his senior season, but Schottenheimer believes he's better suited inside.
"I seemed to struggle a little bit in the eyes of the scouts," Ransom said. "I didn't feel comfortable there, but the team needed me to do it and I wouldn't change my decision for anything."
Monroe, who played college football for less than a year, found himself talking to Cowboys owner Jerry Jones himself Sunday night when Jones asked him if he was ready to be drafted in the seventh and final round. Monore was left wondering how he would have gone if he didn't play basketball at UC all those years.
"I don't regret it at all," Monroe said. "I'm just looking to learn and get better. All the coaches talked to me, but I really didn't hear them because I was so excited."
Monroe, who doesn't have ESPN2, couldn't bear to watch. He sent everyone out of his home Saturday and Sunday so he could wait it out alone, and spent Sunday watching the NBA. New Dallas coach Chan Gailey said: "He's a big guy. You never know. You might get a rebounder who can knock down some people and get the ball."
Monroe's best chance at sticking in Dallas is the developmental squad. The Cowboys appear to be set at tight end with last year's No. 1 pick, David LaFleur, and veteran Eric Bjornson.
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