Monday, April 20, 1998
The University Daily Kansan
Section B · Page 5
White leaves Green Bay because of bad back
The Associated Press
GREEN BAY, Wis. — Reggie White, the NFL's career sacks leader, is retiring because of a bad back.
"He will be missed for a lot of reasons, but in some respects
White: All-time sack leader has to retire because of bad back.
it's time," Green Bay Parkers coach Mike Holmgren said in making the announcement yesterday.
in a speech to Wisconsin lawmakers, would hold a news conference on Wednesday.
White, who made the Pro Bowl a record 12 times, had 10 1/2 sacks last year, giving him 176 1/2 for his 13-year career. But he was bothered by a bulging disc in his lower back that limited his playing time.
The Packers had wanted him to return for his leadership qualities, promising he would play about half the snaps. But that was not enough to persuade him to change his mind.
White did not immediately return a message from The Associated Press left on his answering machine in Green Bay.
White told Holmgren soon after the Packers' Super Bowl loss to Denver that he doubted he would return to Green Bay for a sixth season.
But Holmgren told him to take his time in making a decision about retirement. The two met earlier this month and again yesterday, Holmgren said.
"The overriding factor was his back," Holmgren said. "He has just not felt very good this off-season."
The Packers drafted two defensive linemen in the NFL draft, but still wanted White to return.
Green Bay lost its other starting defensive end when Gabe Wilkins signed with San Francisco as a free agent in February.
White, who joined the Packers in 1993 after eight seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, was to enter the second year of a five-year contract extension that called for him to make a base salary of $2.6 million in 1998.
Because he announced his retirement before June 1, the Packers will be liable for $2.4 million — the remainder of his signing bonus — on this year's salary cap.
If he had waited until after June 1, the team would have had to count only $600,000 against the cap with the remaining $1.8 million going against the 1999 cap, which is expected to take another significant jump thanks to the $17.6 billion the television networks are pouring into the league's coffers for broadcast rights.
The NFL Draft Two-day event used to fill holes
The Associated Press
NEW YORK -- Forget about NFL teams drafting the best available athlete. This year, most went for need and were not ashamed to admit it.
For example:
This weekend's annual lottery of college players was the deepest in recent years.
New England, with six picks in the first three rounds Saturday, took running backs Robert Edwards of Georgia in the first round and Chris Floyd of Michigan in the third round in an attempt to replace Curtis Martin. They
added Harold Shaw of Southern Mississippi, another running back, in the sixth round.
Jacksonville, which lost Natrone Means to free agency, also went for
runners. the
Jaguars took Fred
Taylor of Florida
with the ninth pick
overall, then used a
fourth-round pick
Sunday for Iowa's
Tavian Banks.
Dallas divided its first three picks between its obvious needs, the offensive and defensive lines: Greg Ellis and Michael Myers on defense and Flozell Adams on offense.
Green Bay added to its defense in an attempt to replace players lost in
free agency. That was advisable, especially with the retirement Sunday of Reggie White, the NFL's career sacks leader.
wide receiver needs, bypassing Kevin Dyson and Randy Moss, to take four
The first was Nebraska's Jason Peter, the 14th-overall pick. The Panthers are about to complete a deal with Washington to bring in end Sean Gilbert, with whom they've already agreed to terms.
defensive tackles.
"I think it shows we're serious about beefing up our defensive front," said Carolina coach Dom Capers, who also took Louisiana State's Chuck Wiley, and Penn's Mitch Marrow in the third round.
The draft continued Sunday with group of college stars who, for one reason or another, are not considered sure-shot pros going in the fourth round.
Then he grabbed Viliam Maumau of Colorado in the seventh round.
They include Myers, a prospective first-rounder at one time, who was suspended by the University of Alabama for the season after having contact with an agent.
Among the others: tight end Alonzo Mayes of Oklahoma State (Chicago); running back Michael Pittman of Fresno State (Arizona); wide receiver Az Hakim of San Diego State (St. Louis); linebacker Kiviusuas Mays of North Carolina; and wide receiver-kick returner Tim Dwight of Iowa (Atlanta).
Mays was one of six North Carolina defensive players taken in the first five rounds — including three in the first. But the missing for good continued.
San Francisco used three of its first five picks on offensive lineman to replace a unit that's been injured and aging for three years.
Green Bay, which lost cornerback Doug Evans, safety Eugene Robinson and defensive end Gabe Wilkins to free agency, chose defensive backs Roosevelt Blackmon of Morris Brown in the fourth round and Scott McGarrahan of New Mexico in the sixth. This came after the Packers used its first two picks on defensive lineman Vonnie Holliday and Jonathan Brown.
"We have taken a giant step forward in putting the pieces of the jigsaw puzzle back together again," said general manager Ron Wolf. "I can actually go home and get up tomorrow morning and not read about how much we need defensive line help."
Then there are the New York Giants, whose first-round pick, safety Shaun Williams of UCLA, was at a position where the team is both good and deep. General manager Ernie Accorsi and coach Jim Fassel explained that pick by noting that Williams was by far the best player on the board at the time.
When the second round came up, they looked for a wide receiver — by far the Giants' biggest need.
They were torn between two players Joe Jurevicius of Penn State and Brian Alford of Purdue.
They argued long and loud, then took Jurevicius. When Alford slipped to the third round, the Giants traded up and took him, too.
"We didn't think we could get a receiver of that quality in the fourth round," said Accorsi, who found himself with the best of all possible worlds, a top athlete and two need picks.
Guard Aaron Taylor of Nebraska, the Outland Trophy winner as college football's best interior lineman, lasted until the first pick of the seventh round, 190th overall, when he was chosen by the Colts.
After five quarterbacks were taken Saturday, none went until the sixth round Sunday, when Miami took John Dutton of Nevada. Green Bay took Boston College's Matt Hasselbeck with a compensatory pick in the sixth round, and Chicago took Colorado State's Moses Moreno in the seventh.
Among those not taken was Ron Powlus, who entered Notre Dame touted as a future No. 1 pick but was a big disappointment.
Chiefs bolster offense in round 3
The Associated Press
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Chiefs, who had enhanced an already tough defense, surprised most of their fans by not addressing a need at running back in the first round of Saturday's draft.
What they went for was improved blocking for the running backs they already have, taking offensive tackle Victor Riley of Auburn with the 27th pick in the first round.
They had forfeited their second-round pick as compensation to Oakland for signing four-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Chester McGlockton to a free agent contract on Saturday, a move that could strengthen the defense that led the NFL in points allowed last year.
"I've got to believe (Riley) will be able to step in and help us." Schottenheimer said. "Whether he starts at the outset remains to be seen. The thing we like about him outside of athletic skills is he's a very, very bright guy."
But when they finally picked again in the third round, the Chiefs did what most fans had been wanting in the wake of Marcus Allen's retirement and picked up running back Rashaan Shehee of Washington.
Left tackle Jeff Criswell was spotty last year in his first season as a full-time starter for the Chiefs.
Riley, 6-foot-5 and 321 pounds, will be counted on to provide immediate help for the offensive line. He could even become a part-time rookie starter at a
Riley was an all-Southeastern Conference pick and led Auburn blockers with 53 knockdowns, leading a unit that averaged more than 290 yards passing.
"He can move his feet," said player personnel director Terry Brad-
"I think I am very ready."
Riley does not lack confidence.
way." The one thing he can do that a lot of guys can't be is use his hands and feet together. A lot of guys can't do that. He can do things on the outside."
spot that Chiefs' coach Marty Schotonheimer has said is the hardest in the league outside of quarterback to learn.
Shehee, 5-10, 207, is fifth on Washington's all-time list with 28 rushing touchdowns. One of his finest games came in his collegiate finale when he rushed for 193 yards and two touchdowns against Michigan State in the Alola Bowl.
"He has all the qualities you look for in a left tackle," said Schottenheimer. "He was the best of all the offensive linemen we had on the board."
"I think I'm very ready," he said by phone. "I have the size and the speed and strength. I just need to work on my conditioning and my mental level of playing at that level of football. I think I have the rest of the package."
Victor Riley first round draft pick
Riley said he was hoping to be picked by Kansas City.
"Coach James, he was like my mentor away from home," Riley said. "I could always go to him and talk to him about anything. He would always tell me the truth, even if I was doing something wrong. I always looked up to him for that."
"I love the Chiefs," he said. "I've heard from other players they're a great organization to
be with because they treat their players like players and not pieces of meat. And it's a great city to be in."
Riley said he was looking forward to being reunited with former Auburn assistant coach Lionel James, who has been hired by the Chiefs as a running back coach.
"Terry and I went to Auburn and spent time with Victor. We were involved in a very lengthy discussion for about 2 1/2 hours." Schottenheimer said. "He had a very good workout for us. This is clearly the best player available to us when we chose, and it was not a difficult choice."
ROUND 1 PICKS
1. Indianapolis, Peyton Manning,
qb, Tennessee.
2. San Diego (from Arizona), Ryan Leaf, br. Washington St.
3. Arizona (from San Diego), Andre Wadsworth, de, Florida St.
5. Chicago, Curtis Enis, rb, Penn St.
4. Oakland, Charles Woodson, db Michigan.
6. St. Louis, Grant Wistrom, ae,
Nebraska.
7. New Orleans, Kyle Turley, ot,
San Diego St.
8. Dallas, Greg Ellis, de, North Carolina.
10. Baltimore, Duane Starks, db, Miami.
11. Philadelphia, Tra Thomas, ot,
Florida St.
12. Atlanta, Keith Brooking, Ib,
Georgia Tech.
13. Cincinnati, Takeo Spikes, Ib,
Auburn.
14. Carolina, Jason Peter, dt, Nebraska.
15. Seattle, Anthony Simmons, lb,
Clemson.
16. Tennessee, Kevin Dyson, wr, Utah.
18. New England (from New York Jets), Robert Edwards, rb, Georgia.
17. Cincinnati (from Washington),
Brian Simmons, Ib, North Carolina.
19. Green Bay (from Miami), Vonnie Halliday, dt, North Carolina.
20. Detroit, Terry Fair, db, Tennessee.
21. Minnesota, Randy Moss, wr,
Marshall.
22. New England, Tebucky Jones,
db. Syracuse.
23. Oakland (from Tampa Bay), Mo Collins, ot, Florida.
24. New York Giants, Shaun Williams, ed., UCLA.
25. Jacksonville, Donovin Darius,
db. Syracuse.
26. Pittsburgh, Alan Faneca, g, LSU.
27. Kansas City, Victor Riley, ot, Auburn.
28. San Francisco, R.W. McQuarters,
db, Oklahoma St.
29. Miami (from Green Bay), John Avery, rb, Mississippi.
30. Denver, Marcus Nash, wr, Tennessee.
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