Former Panther tight end Nick Eller will enter the 2004 NFL draft where he knows if he does not get drafted he can at least latch on with a team as a free agent.

“I’m looking at it as if I do get drafted it will be great. Hopefully I will get signed as a free agent,” Eller said.

During Eller’s career at Eastern he was never a flashy player who liked to draw attention to himself. Football Coach Bob Spoo said Eller was more of a “work horse.”

“Work has never been a problem for Nick,” Spoo said.

In order to open the eyes of some NFL scouts, Eller will have to continue to work, and he has done just that.

“I’m confident he’s doing everything possible,” Spoo said. “He has continued to condition strength wise and speed wise.”

Eller is listed on ESPN’s draft central web page as a little over six feet two inches and 262 pounds, however, Eller’s downfall is not his size but his speed, or lack thereof.

“Since the season I’ve been working on my speed,” Eller said. “I know it’s my biggest weakness.”

During the Dallas Cowboys’ first of back to back Super Bowls against the Buffalo Bills, Leon Lett picked up a fumble after Bills quarterback Jim Kelly was sacked. Lett began running toward the end zone and thought he had an easy six points. However, little did he know he was being chased by Bills receiver Don Beebe. Beebe knocked the ball out of Lett’s hand and created a fumble and saved a touchdown.

Eller has been training with Beebe in Chicago a few days a week.

Beebe is no stranger to former Panthers. Cowboys quarterback and former Panther Tony Romo ran with Beebe last year before eventually being signed as a free agent on draft day.

Eller wouldn’t mind hooking up with his former quarterback and the Cowboys. However, if Eller could pick what team he could go to, he would pick the Oakland Raiders. Eller said he also would not mind going to the Colts, but he realizes there is a chance he may not get drafted.

“Nick’s making it hard for them not to draft him,” Spoo said. “But talent, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. It’s hard to say if or when he’ll get drafted.”

If he does not get drafted Eller said he’d like to give the Canadian Football League or the Arena Football League a try. Either way, Eller knows his football career is not over just yet.

Eller was second on the Panthers this year in catches with 47 and yards with 439.

“If he increases his speed, I’m sure he’ll open some eyes,” Spoo said. “He runs disciplined routes and he can catch the heck out of the ball.”

Back-up tight end Chris Walter spent much time with Eller this season. Walter’s locker was right next to Eller’s, so he got to learn from Eller on and off the field.

Walter said Eller always runs perfect routes and because he has such a great knowledge of the game, he is always able to put himself in the right spot at the right time.

“He transferred here from the University of Iowa so when he had something to tell me I took it to heart,” Walter said.

Eller feels the way to latch on with an NFL team is to work.

“It’s a dream and he’s pursuing it religiously,” Spoo said.