It's been a long five months for former Penn wide receiver Rob Milanese.
The 2002 Wharton graduate inked a rookie free agent contract with the NFL's New England Patriots on May 2, 2003, but was soon released on July 17 after mini-camp.
For almost five months after getting cut, Milanese worked on rehabilitating the hamstring he pulled trying out for the Patriots.
But more so, Milanese waited for another shot.
"It was kind of boring," he said.
Luckily, while Milanese went through rehab and waited, his agent was busy at work, trying to sell his client to prospective NFL clubs.
"He was talking about me all year to the Jets," Milanese said. "Finally they agreed to give me a tryout."
After Milanese completed all the routine combine tests at Hofstra University in Hempstead, N.Y., the New York Jets liked what they saw and offered him a contract several days later on Jan. 6.
The Wycoff, N.J., native will report to training camp Feb. 27, when he will look to make an NFL Europe squad. In the meantime, Milanese will "work out and get ready."
Milanese holds several of Penn's most coveted football records -- most all-time receptions and receiving yards.
The receiver also ranks among the best Ivy League receivers of all time. He ranks third all-time in receptions, fifth in receiving yards and eighth in receiving touchdowns.
He also holds Penn records for most receiving yards in a season (1,112 in 2002), most single season receptions (85 in 2002) and most single-game receptions (15 in 2002).
Milanese said that his experience with the Patriots helped him when trying out for the Jets.
"It made me a little more calm," he said. "I wasn't as in awe. I was more poised I guess you could say."
A Giants fan as a very young kid, Milanese eventually switched his allegiance to the Jets when he became bored by the Giants.
"I have been a Jets fan for a while," he said.
Penn football coach Al Bagnoli expressed excitement for his former player.
"It was unfortunate, he was actually having a pretty good camp with the Patriots and then he got hurt," he said.
"I think him being re-signed is a testament to the potential that he showed not only during his collegiate career, but also during those first couple of mini-camps," Bagnoli added.
If Milanese makes the Jets, he will become the third former Penn player in the NFL. Fullback Jim Finn and offensive lineman Jeff Hatch are both currently signed by the New York Giants.
One of Milanese's classmates, -- former Penn defensive standout Vince Alexander -- signed with the Jets last summer but was released just before the team had to solidify its opening day roster.
Bagnoli thinks that Milanese has what it takes to do what Alexander could not.
"It's up to him to a) stay healthy, and b) show he can play at that level," he said.
