Pro Bowlers were sent packing, draft picks were disposed of and dozens of dreams were dashed. That’s what happens when National Football League teams make their final cuts.

There was a different feeling Saturday when three former Metro area stars – Rob Bruggeman, Adrian Arrington and Allen Reisner – found out they had landed spots on 53-man rosters of NFL teams.

The feeling didn't last long for Reisner, however. He was waived Sunday when the Vikings signed linebacker Xavier Adibi, who had been waived by the Houston Texans.

For Arrington and Bruggeman, both 25 and former Cedar Rapids Washington athletes, it was the culmination of years of perseverance.

Bruggeman will be in uniform No.67 next Sunday when his Atlanta Falcons open the season against the Bears in Chicago. Bruggeman got a break when 13-year pro Todd McClure underwent knee surgery Aug. 29. Second-year man Joe Hawley will be the Falcons’ starting center and Bruggeman will back him up.

It is unclear whether Bruggeman, who played in one game last season, will stick with Atlanta once McClure becomes active. But at least he’s got a shot after spending last season on the Falcons’ practice squad.

"We’re optimistic but we know at any time anybody can get cut," said Chuck Bruggeman, Rob’s father. "One bad move at the wrong time and you can be gone in this business. He’s just guarded, cautiously optimistic."

Bruggeman’s story is just short of incredible. He was a walk-on at Iowa after being named first-team all-state at Washington. He was poised for a lot of playing time for the Hawkeyes in 2007 until he tore his ACL and MCL. He was originally signed by Tampa Bay as a free agent in 2009, but was cut. He has fought mightily to get where he’s at.

"Rob’s whole thing all along has been a struggle to get respect, wherever he’s been at," Chuck Bruggeman said. "I just hope he sticks."

Bruggeman also has played on kickoff return and field goal teams in the preseason, and his father anticipates seeing his son in some special teams capacity Sunday.

Reisner, who starred at Marion and Iowa, had made the Minnesota roster despite the fact the Vikings are loaded at tight end with Visanthe Shiancoe, Jim Kleinsasser and Notre Dame rookie Kyle Rudolph. The Vikings cut 8-year tight end Jeff Dugan.

"I think this is a great step. It’s what his goal has been all along and it’s nice to see him reach it," said Harley Reisner, Allen’s father, before Sunday's move was made. "This kind of shows what kind of talent there is around this area."

Reisner caught three passes for 54 yards in preseason games. He reportedly wowed coaches with his pass-catching reliability and coachability in practice.

Arrington, who left Michigan after his junior season to enter the draft, has been on the cusp of making the Saints’ roster previously and actually turned down a couple offers to be traded to other teams. The Saints are loaded at wide receiver but Arrington will stick this time.

He has spent much of the past three seasons on the New Orleans practice squad and has battled hamstring and turf toe injuries. The Saints were out of options to use Arrington on the practice squad, so they had to keep him or waive him.

Arrington saw the field once last season, when he caught 7 passes for 79 yards late in the year against Tampa Bay. In the preseason, he had 8 catches for 114 yards and a touchdown. The Saints open the season Thursday at defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay.

At least seven other former Metro area preps have played in the NFL besides Arrington, Bruggeman and Reisner. They are Kurt Warner (Regis), Dedric Ward (Washington), Carey Bender (Marion), Ron Geater (Marion), Larry Lawrence (Jefferson), Dave Long (Jefferson) and Tom Farmer (old Wilson High). Another former Metro player, Ben Lamaak of Kennedy, was cut by the Oakland Raiders last week. He played in two preseason games against Arizona and San Francisco.

The fate of Arrington and Bruggeman won’t be sealed until perhaps Monday. Players waived Saturday and Sunday can be claimed until Monday, when a small group of players will be released. If Reisner is not claimed by another team, he can be re-signed to the Vikings practice squad.

For now, things look bright for at least two former Metro area stars.