They are trying to keep their expectations low. But former University of Maine football players Matt Swinson and Claude Pettaway will nonetheless be staying close to their telephones Sunday and Monday on the chance they get a call from a National Football League team interested in obtaining their services.

Swinson, a 6-foot-5, 245-pound tight end, and Pettaway, a 5-11, 198-pound safety are considered longshots to be selected during the 12 rounds of the NFL Draft. Still, they represent the best chance Maine has got of sending a player or players to the NFL for the second straight year.

Other Maine players hoping to be drafted, but more likely to be invited to a preseason training camp for a free agent tryout, are inside linebacker Mike Smith (6-1, 242), and wide receiver Mark Dupree (6-0, 180).

“It won’t be a crushing blow (if I’m not drafted),” said Swinson, whose size and speed (4.9) make him the likeliest draftee. “If it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be. I’m still going to be the same person I am today next Monday night, regardless.”

Pettaway, who tied for the national lead in Division I-AA with 11 interceptions as a senior, voiced similar sentiments.

“If I don’t get drafted, it wouldn’t be a disappointment,” Pettaway said. “Getting drafted would be an added plus. But I don’t think it’s something I’d be disappointed with (if I didn’t). Hopefully, I can get a tryout, just so I can see how I stack up.”

What exactly are Swinson’s and Pettaway’s chances of being drafted? Pro Football Weekly rates Swinson the 28th best tight end in the draft and ranks Pettaway 41st among safeties. A top 20 ranking is considered necessary to have a good chance at being drafted. The publication says both players “have slightly less than a 50-50 chance to make a roster.”

What the two players may have going for them, besides having both attended January’s NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, is Maine’s recent track record. Former UM quarterback Mike Buck (New Orleans Saints) and former lineman Justin Strzelczyk (Pittsburgh Steelers) were drafted and made their respective teams a year ago.

Swinson, who is coming off surgery in December to repair a broken navicular bone in his right hand, has been “worked out” by scouts for five teams in the past month, which indicates a certain amount of interest in him.

“New England, Indianapolis, the Jets, Miami, and Houston,” Swinson said, ticking off the teams. “I also got calls the other day from Atlanta and Tampa Bay. That doesn’t mean a lot, though.”

Swinson, who has retained an agent, Brad Blank of Boston, believes his best chance might lie with the Patriots. Swinson’s brother, Mark, played football for Syracuse University under current Pats head coach Dick MacPherson.

“I’ve met Coach MacPherson a couple of times,” said Swinson, who caught 22 passes for 240 yards and 1 TD last fall for Maine. “He was nice to me. I’d really like to get the chance to play for him.”

Swinson, who has a degree from Maine in business administration, said he will return to his family home in Bay Shore, N.Y., to watch the draft.

Pettaway, a native of Silver Spring, Md., has not retained an agent and will stay near his apartment in Old Town for the draft. He said Pittsburgh has showed the most interest in him but he doesn’t want to draw any conclusions.

“I couldn’t tell you what my chances are. I just hope that I get lucky,” Pettaway said.

Both Swinson and Pettaway said they would consider playing in the new World League of American Football if the NFL overlooks them.

Other Maine players hoping to be drafted, but more likely to be invited to a preseason training camp for a free agent tryout, are inside linebacker Mike Smith (6-1, 242), and wide receiver Mark Dupree (6-0, 180).

“It won’t be a crushing blow (if I’m not drafted),” said Swinson, whose size and speed (4.9) make him the likeliest draftee. “If it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be. I’m still going to be the same person I am today next Monday night, regardless.”

Pettaway, who tied for the national lead in Division I-AA with 11 interceptions as a senior, voiced similar sentiments.

“If I don’t get drafted, it wouldn’t be a disappointment,” Pettaway said. “Getting drafted would be an added plus. But I don’t think it’s something I’d be disappointed with (if I didn’t). Hopefully, I can get a tryout, just so I can see how I stack up.”

What exactly are Swinson’s and Pettaway’s chances of being drafted? Pro Football Weekly rates Swinson the 28th best tight end in the draft and ranks Pettaway 41st among safeties. A top 20 ranking is considered necessary to have a good chance at being drafted. The publication says both players “have slightly less than a 50-50 chance to make a roster.”

What the two players may have going for them, besides having both attended January’s NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, is Maine’s recent track record. Former UM quarterback Mike Buck (New Orleans Saints) and former lineman Justin Strzelczyk (Pittsburgh Steelers) were drafted and made their respective teams a year ago.

Swinson, who is coming off surgery in December to repair a broken navicular bone in his right hand, has been “worked out” by scouts for five teams in the past month, which indicates a certain amount of interest in him.

“New England, Indianapolis, the Jets, Miami, and Houston,” Swinson said, ticking off the teams. “I also got calls the other day from Atlanta and Tampa Bay. That doesn’t mean a lot, though.”

Swinson, who has retained an agent, Brad Blank of Boston, believes his best chance might lie with the Patriots. Swinson’s brother, Mark, played football for Syracuse University under current Pats head coach Dick MacPherson.

“I’ve met Coach MacPherson a couple of times,” said Swinson, who caught 22 passes for 240 yards and 1 TD last fall for Maine. “He was nice to me. I’d really like to get the chance to play for him.”

Swinson, who has a degree from Maine in business administration, said he will return to his family home in Bay Shore, N.Y., to watch the draft.

Pettaway, a native of Silver Spring, Md., has not retained an agent and will stay near his apartment in Old Town for the draft. He said Pittsburgh has showed the most interest in him but he doesn’t want to draw any conclusions.

“I couldn’t tell you what my chances are. I just hope that I get lucky,” Pettaway said.

Both Swinson and Pettaway said they would consider playing in the new World League of American Football if the NFL overlooks them.