TAHLEQUAH DAILY PRESS — For former Oklahoma University quarterback Paul Thompson, it’s a chance to get a new start with a new football team. For former OU linebacker Rufus Alexander, it’s a chance to prove he’s recovered from a season-ending injury last season.

Both are on their way to their respective NFL training camps next week, Thompson with the Tennessee Titans and Alexander with former Sooner Adrian Peterson at Minnesota.

Thompson and Alexander have been working for Oklahoma Health Care Solutions for the summer. Thompson has been involved with public relations while Alexander has been involved in pharmaceutical sales.

“They go into nursing homes with us, they go into assisted living rooms with us,” Home Health outreach coordinator Tanya Dyer said. “A lot of (our patients) are OU grads and recognize them. It’s funny to see an 80 or 90-year-old woman sit down and talk football with these guys.”

Both were in Tahlequah on Monday at Out West Cafe to to say good bye to staff at OHCS’ Tahlequah office.

Thompson, a 2006 graduate, played for the Green Bay Packers before being released. He said he’s excited about starting out with a new team.

“What’s exciting about training camp is that the season’s almost here,” Thompson said. “We’ve got a new offensive coordinator, Mike Heimerdinger, so I think it’s kind of good because everybody’s learning at the same pace. They don’t know a whole lot more than I do as far as new stuff that’s being installed so I feel comfortable with the offense. Vince (Carter) and Kerry Collins are doing a great job of getting acclimated with the offense and I feel like I’m right in there with them.”

Tennessee is going to be a big change from Green Bay with the weather in August. While some may dream about being in Thompson’s shoes, he said there are some things in training camp he would rather leave behind.

“A lot of people, I’m sure, don’t want to have that opportunity,” Thompson said. “It’s nothing special. It’s four weeks of just going at it, preseason, it’s hot. I’m in Tennessee now, so it’s going to be hot. (There’s also) two-a-day practices, getting up early, going to bed late, meetings, it’s the most glamorous part of the season.”

Having been in Green Bay last season, Thompson was hesitant voice an opinion on former Green Bay quarterback Brett Fave. Fave retired at the end of last season, however has recently asked to be released from his contract with Green Bay for a possible comeback bid.

“He’s got a crazy situation right now,” Thompson said. “At first, I knew there was going to be speculation when he retired that he was going to come back, but it sounds like he does want to come back. At first I thought it was just a bunch of speculation, people starting rumors, but he seems pretty serious about wanting to come back. I can’t imagine how Aaron (Rodgers) feels, thinking it’s his team and then maybe it’s not his team. I’d like to see Fave play again, but I’d like to see Aaron play too.”

Rodgers was Green Bay’s back-up quarterback to Favre. He is now slated to take over the starting job with Favre’s retirement.

After season-ending knee injury last season, Alexander is anxious to get back on to the field as well. He said he doesn’t feel like he has anything to prove however.

“I’m just going to go out there and do what I’ve always done, compete,” Alexander said. “I’m just going to have fun. I don’t feel any added pressure. I’m just going to go out with a positive attitude and get back into the groove of things.”

Alexander said he’s nervous about training camp because of the competition for a job, but it helps that he has former OU teammate Peterson on his side.

“It’s a good feeling because you know somebody on the team,” Alexander said. “He’s somebody you worked with.”

OHCS has over 20 offices in Oklahoma and Texas that deal in home health including nursing homes and assisted living facilities. They also provide therapy services such as speech therapy and physical therapy.

Both said they would like to continue working for OHCS during the offseason.

“We know they are going to come back during the offseason or whenever they have a week off,” Dyer said. “They have both said they are going to come back.”

“You get to go out and meet great doctors and you just get to meet a lot of people and I like meeting people,” Alexander said. “That’s a good deal.”