What's the life expectancy of our dreams?
For B.J. Coleman, the timeline keeps extending as long as the phone keeps ringing.
The former McCallie School and University of Tennessee at Chattanooga star quarterback is preparing himself for one more swing at professional football. The kid who was throwing Hail Marys at Finley Stadium more than a decade ago is heading west in a matter of days to start training camp with the Arizona Rattlers, the three-time defending Arena League champions.
For Coleman, who had McCallie three points from a state title and helped accelerate the restoration of the glory at UTC, the journey to the desert for the start of training camp on March 6 is more about a return to the all-too-familiar confines than the first step back toward the NFL.
The dream, you see, is about the game, not the destination or location.
"I'm not going out there to get back to the NFL," B.J. said Thursday. "I going out there to play some football, to get back in the locker room and enjoy it.
"If it works out, great. But I really just missed the game and locker room and want to get back to that."
When asked if he was nervous -- Coleman is 26, after all, and the window of meaningful football other than a longstanding Thanksgiving invitation with friends and family is easing down -- about going back to the game that has been part of his existence for the vast majority of his life, Coleman was calm as ever.
And as precise, too.
"It's been two years since I've been hit," he said with a realistic chuckle, "so that's probably my biggest concern. But I don't think 'nervous' is the right word. I'm really more excited than anything else -- excited to get to play football again."
You do something as long and as well as Coleman has thrown a football, and going weeks without it can be painful. Going two years can be a nightmare.
He has attacked his Arena opportunity with an earnestness that has become as commonly associated with Coleman as his hand-breaking grip and his endless supplies of "sir" and "ma'am."
The Arizona Republic reported last week that Coleman made an early impression on Rattlers coach Kevin Guy by asking for every piece of background information he could send to Chattanooga. Rule books, play books, footballs, you name it and Coleman wanted to be ready to deal with it.
"I think what I've seen from B.J. so far, I'm impressed," Guy told the Republic. "Once you get him in and there are hands on every day, I'll have a better feel. But so far the sky's the limit for this young man. It starts with attitude that you go into something. I'm very impressed with his attitude. I've not seen a young man who wanted the rule book and video and he wanted the football to throw it."
The pleasant surprise that hit Guy like a cool breeze on a July day shocks exactly no one around these parts.
Coleman has been consistently consistent in his diligent approach and preparation.
"That approach starts at home, to tell you the truth, and my mom and dad have always been hard workers," Colemsan said about his parents Bryon and Anita. "When you see good parents put in the time and sacrifice so much, I know my brother (Jarrod) and I believe we have to do that in return.
"It's something we've based our names on, really, and in the end your name is all you've got."
Well, Coleman's name will be back on a football jersey early next month with passes flying and the juices flowing.
He's always been a competitor -- even with his newest passion of golf, and, yes, he plans on heading to the desert a few days early to get to TPC Scottsdale and some of the other renowned tracks in the area -- and that doesn't just go away.
Sure, the dreams of winning a Super Bowl or signing a seven-figure contract or even making a single start in the NFL can carry a quarterback to places he never knew.
For B.J., though, the dream has been as much about the return to the place he's forever loved -- the locker room.
"I'm excited," he said plainly."Coach Guy and I talked about it, and the game is faster and I'll have to get it out of my hand quicker.
"But the biggest thing for me is getting out there and getting that feeling of playing and being part of the locker room again."
May you always keep chasing that dream, B.J.
Contact Jay Greeson at jgreeson@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6343. Follow him on Twitter at jgreeson@timesfreepress.com.
His "Right to the Point" column appears on A2 Monday, Thursday and Saturday, and his sports columns run Tuesday and Friday. Read his online column "The 5-at-10" Monday through Friday starting at 10 a.m. at timesfreepress.com.