By Travis Akin 19

Two former Saluki football players are both struggling to find their places in the NFL.

Former Saluki tight end Damon Jones is looking for playing time with the Jacksonville Jaguars, while ex-SIUC punter Mark Gagliano is still trying to find a team.

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Jones played at SIUC from 1993 to 1996. In 1996, he caught 32 passes for 431 yards and two touchdowns. At the end of the season, Jones was drafted in the April NFL draft by the Jaguars in the fifth round.

Jones received a $90,000 signing bonus, and he has signed a three-year contract with the Jaguars, but he has not had any playing time in the Jaguars’ first four games.

When the opportunity comes (to play), I hope to make the most of it and do the best I can, Jones said. I am trying to get better in practice. I just have to play hard.

Jones said he is continuing to volunteer his time to do community service work. He said he recently spoke in a nursing home about some of his experiences.

I believe that people should continually give something back (to the community), Jones said. You can never forget where you came from.

He said he has realized his dreams of being in the NFL and plans to stay in Jacksonville as long as he can.

Jones said playing under head coach Tom Coughlin is not as rough as people tend to think.

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He’s a good coach and makes sure we are prepared every week, Jones said. People mistake him for a hard guy. He just never wants you to lose focus.

Dealing with Coughlin is something Jones knows first-hand because of an off-the-field incident July 6. Jones allegedly hit an off-duty police officer in a Jacksonville night club after refusing to the leave the stage during a performance of the rap group Outkast.

Jones has been charged with a misdemeanor, and the case is still pending. With the arrest, Jones became the first Jacksonville Jaguar to be taken into custody by the police in Jaguar history.

But Jones said both he and Coughlin have worked out the problems.

I have put it behind me, Jones said. It is something that could have been avoided.

While Jones is working to get playing time, Gagliano is trying find a team that will let him punt.

The position has such longevity, it is tough to break in, Gagliano said. All I can do is just hope that everything works out for the best.

Gagliano played at SIUC from 1993 to 1996. He accumulated 10,776 yards on 264 punts. During his senior year, Gagliano averaged 45 yards per punt to lead the nation.

Gagliano also was named Division I-AA All-American in 1996. That honor marked the first time a Saluki has received the honor since Terry Taylor and Donnel Daniels were named to the All-America team in 1983.

This summer Gagliano worked out at the Indianapolis Colts training camp. The Colts opted to go with Pro Bowl punter Chris Gardocki, and Gagliano was cut Aug. 12.

While he was with the Colts, Gagliano played in a preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals Aug. 1. Gagliano had a 53-yard punt that landed on the 3-yard line. He also kicked off, and on one kickoff return, Bengal Cory Dillon broke the defense and Gagliano had to make the tackle.

Despite a solid performance in the preseason game, Gagliano still is searching for a job. He said he made the right decision playing at the Colts camp even though he knew he could not beat Gardocki, but waiting for a job has been difficult.

I miss the competition, Gagliano said. This the toughest experience I’ve gone through. But I have a lot of confidence. Not many get a chance to chase their dreams like me.

While he waits, Gagliano spends his days lifting weights and kicking. He does not have a job, and he said he is giving it until the conclusion of the training camps in 1998 to decide whether or not to begin to find a job apart from the NFL.

I am living tightly, and I am making it on the money I made from training camp, Gagliano said. I just keep on working on football. I have no expenses. I don’t have a car. I don’t have any debts.