NFL DRAFT : After Whirlwind Trip, Harper Stays in Dallas

ANAHEIM â€”  Dallas wide receiver Alvin Harper ran the gamut this week--from Pittsburgh to Cleveland to the Rams and back to Dallas.

And a quick trip to Kinko’s along the way.

Harper watched the Rams’ draft-day saga play out from his in-laws’ home Sunday in Washington, D.C., making quick trips to a local copy center to fax signed contracts to the Cowboys, who were trying to pull off a trade for the Rams’ fifth, and later, seventh, overall picks.

“This last week has been like a roller-coaster,� Harper said. “One minute, you’re ready to leave. The next minute, you’re staying.�

For now, Harper, a restricted free agent, is staying in Dallas.

With the help of agent Jimmy Sexton, Harper came to terms with the Rams--a three-year deal worth $5.3 million on Sunday morning. But the trade with Dallas fell through when New England took USC linebacker Willie McGinest, whom the Cowboys coveted, with the fourth overall pick.

“We had agreed on the money,� said John Shaw, Ram executive vice president. “But when McGinest went on the board, the deal was aborted.�

Another deal for Harper fell through after the Rams traded their fifth pick for Indianapolis’ seventh. The Rams traded down for San Francisco’s 15th pick, which they used for Auburn offensive tackle Wayne Gandy.

So for now, the Rams have to settle for one of Sexton’s other clients--Memphis State wide receiver Isaac Bruce, whom they drafted with the fifth pick in the second round.

“The way I look at it, maybe this trade wasn’t meant to be,� Harper said. “Things happen for a reason.

“If Jerry Jones wants to trade me next week, I will be happy to go. If he keeps me, I will play to the best of my abilities and try to get to another Super Bowl.�

Sunday’s draft ended a busy seven days for Harper, who began the week negotiating a contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

By Wednesday morning, Harper figured he was headed to Cleveland for the Browns’ ninth overall draft pick. Jones nixed that deal later in the day and began negotiating with the Rams.

Sexton said Wednesday that Harper was reluctant to play on the West Coast. But Harper changed his mind after the Rams increased their offer from $4.8 million to $5.3 million for three years.