Prospect Samardzija won't second-guess his diamond decision

Derek Landri, who now plays defensive tackle for the Jacksonville Jaguars, was one of his football teammates at Notre Dame. He came over on this day to watch Samardzija pitch, and backed up the idea that he is a good teammate.

"He's a great guy," Landri said. "He fits right in. And he could have been a great football player, too."

The receiver-needy Jaguars could use him right now. Who wouldn't want a tall receiver who loves going over the middle to make the tough catches?

It's too bad we won't see it anymore. Samardzija can't play football until his baseball contract is up at the earliest. By then, he would be an old man by football standards. That's why it's in his past.

The big question going forward is this: When are the major leagues in his future? And is he a starter or a reliever? With that arm, he could have success at both.

"I don't know what the future holds," Samardzija said. "I want to be a starter, but you do what it takes. I'm open for anything. It's funny. It's up to you when you get there and it's not up to you. A lot of it has to do with organizational needs. I just have to keep doing the things I need to make it happen sooner."

Bailey, for one, thinks it will happen.

"The train is at the station," Bailey said. "How fast it's going to get where it needs to go who knows? But as along as he keep doing what he's doing, moving the train down the tracks, he will get there."

When he does, the talk of any regrets will be a thing of the past. The questions about football will stop. Until then, though, playing minor-league baseball in a park just outside an NFL stadium will always spark up the debate. Playing baseball now in a city known for its football passion will, too.

Did he do the right thing giving up football? Only time will tell.