It was late March and the New Jersey Gladiators, the local entry in the Arena Football League, were having practice.
Luis Almanzar, the Jersey City native and former Dickinson High School standout football player, was called to the sidelines by Gladiators head coach Frank Haege – right in the middle of practice. Almanzar knew that wasn’t a good sign.
"He said, ‘Luis, we’re sorry, but we got to let you go,’" Almanzar recalled. "I was wondering whether I was being cut by the team. I figured I was doing pretty good with the Gladiators. I didn’t think I deserved to be cut."
However, Haege had different news.
"He told me that it was nothing personal, but that I had a flight to catch, because the St. Louis Rams wanted me," Almanzar said. "I was stunned. I didn’t even have time to pack. The Rams wanted me there that afternoon. I walked out of practice and went right to the airport."
Almanzar was being shipped to the Rams’ mini-camp to try to make an impression on the coaching staff of one of the premier teams in the National Football League. So Almanzar, who went from a walk-on tight end at Nebraska, then finally a starting defensive tackle at Southwest Missouri State, was getting another chance to make the NFL – with the defending NFC champions.
"I went to camp and I guess I did well right away," Almanzar said. "I was throwing people around and making plays. They must have been impressed, because they signed me to a contract after the first day of camp. They put a contract in my face and said, ‘Sign on the dotted line.’ So I did."
Almanzar had a brief stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers last summer, but was one of the last players cut. He then hooked on with the Gladiators, thinking all along that he would eventually get another shot with an NFL team.
"I knew I could play in the NFL and I figured someone would give me a call," Almanzar said. "But I never knew it would happen so soon and I never thought it would be with the Rams. It’s definitely like a dream."
Almanzar said that the Rams were interested in him, because he comes fairly cheap as a free agent signing, playing for the NFL minimum salary of $187,000.
"They were looking at some veterans, but since I come cheap, I think they became more interested in me," Almanzar said. "I’d take anything, especially with this team. I love being a part of this team."
After signing the contract, Almanzar remained in St. Louis in order to learn the team’s defensive system and work out regularly with the team.
"I came home for a few days to get some clothes, because I basically went out there with the clothes on my back," Almanzar said. "But I’ve been in St. Louis ever since."
And ever since, Almanzar has been making a positive impression with his play at defensive tackle for the Rams. He’s been getting plenty of playing time in the preseason, seeing action with the Rams’ top defensive units. On Thursday, August 22, Almanzar stood out in a preseason game against the San Diego Chargers, making several tackles and hurries.
"I’m the first person they’re using off the bench," Almanzar said. "I played pretty much the whole game against the Titans and I’ve been getting pressures and making plays every game. I’m getting rotated into the action regularly, so I’ve been fortunate so far. I’m getting to show what I can do."
Almanzar has been making a positive impression to the coaching staff and to former Ram standouts who are working with the team in training camp.
"Jackie Slater [the Hall of Fame offensive tackle] asked me where I came from," Almanzar said. "He said that I had quick feet and good pursuit. Kevin Greene was also working with us and he told me I was doing good and that I had to keep it up. It makes you feel good to be recognized by two great players."
Almanzar said that he feels very comfortable with defensive coordinator Lovie Smith’s system, which features relentless pursuit to the ball carrier.
"It’s the type of system I love to play," said the 6-foot-3, 295-pound Almanzar. "I really enjoy it. It fits me well, with a lot of one-gap sets (for the defensive tackle to line up against the offensive line). I can run the field and get to the ball. That’s Lovie Smith’s philosophy and it works well for me. I’m really confident playing in the system now."
Almanzar said he has been helped by former Nebraska teammate Grant Wistrom, the Rams’ defensive end who was recently tabbed to be the team’s defensive captain.
"We really clicked from the get-go," Almanzar said. "He gives me a lot of advice and tells me what to do. He really wants to see me succeed and he’s been a great help."
In fact, Almanzar spent most of the San Diego game playing directly beside Wistrom.
Almanzar has already survived two of the Rams’ player cuts – with one more to follow after the final preseason game this weekend against Kansas City.
But he strongly believes that he will survive the final cut and be a member of the Rams’ roster when the season opens Sept. 8.
"I’m confident that I’m still going to be here," Almanzar said. "I’ve been playing with the first unit a lot, so that has been a good sign that they have confidence in me. I’ve been the first one getting the call off the bench. I think the coaches now know what I’m capable of, that I’ve been making it happen. I’ve always been confident that I could play at this level. Now, I’m getting the opportunity. I don’t see how I’m not on the team after next week."
And with one of the favorites to win the Super Bowl, no less.
"It’s a great group of guys, with everyone on the team pushing for the same goal," Almanzar said. "From the front office to the equipment guys, they’re all out to win it all and they don’t expect anything less. It’s a great opportunity for me. Who in the world could have expected that I would be with the St. Louis Rams?"
Don’t bother to pinch Luis Almanzar and try to wake him from his dream just yet. The final roster cuts have not been made. But if you can put a value on his confidence, chances are that Almanzar may just fulfill his dream and be on the sidelines with the Rams when they open in Denver against the Broncos on Sept. 8. – Jim Hague