Casey hasn't struck out

"I just want to play big-time football,'' Tennessee's second all-time leading passer said for what seemed like the 100th time since signing with the Vols in 2000 out of Northridge, Calif.

Spurned in the NFL draft a year ago, and cut after participating in the Kansas City Chiefs' camp as a free agent last fall, Clausen appears headed for NFL Europe.

An official announcement is expected in mid-February, a Kansas City Chiefs public relations spokesman said.

"I'm re-signing with the Chiefs and I think they'll send me and a couple of receivers to Florida for a preseason camp," Clausen said.

The NFL Europe season starts later in the spring."

Clausen admits he's still a bit puzzled as to how 17 other quarterbacks could be drafted last season, and his name could be left off the list. Jim Clausen, Casey's father, is convinced that by playing with an injured shoulder his junior year, Casey damaged his draft stock beyond repair.

"The biggest thing that was being asked was about Casey's clavicle, and was it fractured,"' Jim Clausen said. "If it was, why did he play? He played because his team needed him to play.

"As a father, to watch what developed, to watch him try as hard as he's tried, to do what was asked of him, to be a team player and put team in front of statistics, and not make excuses, and to be accountable, it hurts a little bit. In retrospect, he deserved more."

After being cut by the Chiefs, Clausen tried out with the Tennessee Titans, Pittsburgh Steelers and Denver Broncos.

"I'd just go to those places and throw maybe 15 or 20 minutes," Clausen said. "You throw two curls, two hitches, a couple of slants, some crossing

routes, and that's it.

"My best thing has always been playing in the games.''

Clausen fared well in a preseason night game against the N.Y. Giants, moving the team up and down the field.

He finished the preseason 12 of 19 for 97 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions.

The Chiefs, however, signed 8-year veteran Damon Huard as the No. 3 quarterback.

So instead of playing, Clausen spent last fall, supporting his younger brothers. When Rick Clausen got the call to start at quarterback for UT, Casey flew out to attend each of his four starts. Often, he would come to Knoxville early in the week to watch film with Rick and help him prepare for the game.

Clausen also helped coach his younger brother, Jimmy, who has developed into one of the top quarterback prospects in the nation at Oaks Christian (Calif.) High School.

"I hated not being able to play,'' said Casey, who was 34-10 as the Vols' starter. "But it was fun to watch Jimmy and Rick. I was real proud of both of them."

UT coach Phillip Fulmer believes his former quarterback will get another chance.

"I had personal conversations with the Kansas City Chiefs, and everybody in the organization that coached him wanted him as their third-team quarterback,'' Fulmer said. "It ended up being a management decision this season.

"But I'm certain he'll prove himself in NFL Europe and end up fulfilling his dream to play in the NFL, because he's very determined.''

UT defensive coordinator John Chavis also believes Clausen can play professionally.

"You never know for sure what the NFL is looking at, or looking for,'' Chavis said. "I just know Casey is a winner. In the right situation he can win on any level.''