Brian St. Pierre was stoical with the Arizona Cardinals last year, playing with a bad back and not making a big deal of it.
Late in the season, the ex-St. John's Prep and Boston College quarterback had one of the highlights of his career, throwing his first touchdown pass to superstar receiver Larry Fitzgerald against the Green Bay Packers.
However, the back problems persisted for St. Pierre in the offseason and the Cardinals backed off in re-signing the seven-year veteran, who turns 31 later this year.
A free agent, St. Pierre is working out six days a week and hoping some NFL team will give him a shot at resuming his career.
Part of St. Pierre's regimen this summer involves throwing the ball to St. John's Prep players a couple of times a week. There's nothing wrong with his arm strength and he remains upbeat about the possibility of coming back.
"My back is better than it was a year ago," said St. Pierre, who has also been with the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens during his career. "It's still not where I want it to be, but it's definitely better.
"When you play seven years, you've pretty much seen all there is to see in the NFL, but I'd like another shot at it. I'd like to hook on somewhere. It's been strictly a health issue. I can understand the (Cardinals) concern about my back."
He admitted that last year was pretty awful, but with some time off, he's more optimistic as well as realistic about his situation.
"It was a struggle last year; the most unenjoyable season I've had in the NFL because I was in pain every day," said St. Pierre, who grew up in Danvers. "Arizona saw it and that's why they were reluctant to bring me back. But I'm feeling pretty good right now and if I get the call, I'd like to play."
At a recent session with St. John's Prep players, St. Pierre spent considerable time instructing the kids. He looked like a natural coach. He says it's something he might consider down the line, but he's convinced he has still has plenty in the tank as a player.
"I'm going to tell coach 'O' (referring to St. John's Prep coach Jim O'Leary) that I would take his job," joked St. Pierre. "Coaching is something I could do. I seem to have the ability for it. Parts of it are attractive and parts of its aren't so attractive if it involves (uprooting) my family and moving all over the place.
"But I'm not thinking about it right now. I need play out my career and figure it out from there. I'm still young enough to play."
