Section B · Page 4
The University Daily Kansan
Friday, April 17, 1998
Chiefs to fill defensive positions
Coaches may draft new running back
The Associated Press
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Like a lot of NFL coaches, Kansas City's Marty Schottenbeimer finds himself at odds with fans.
A vote of season ticket-holders would no doubt set running back as the top priority for this weekend's NFL draft. Since losing to Denver in yet another discouraging playoff for last year, the Chiefs have given first-round bust Greg Hill his walking papers and had a tearful Marcus Allen announce the end of his 16-year career.
That would seem to leave the Chiefs in peril at halfback, where injury-plugged fullback Donnell Bennett and star kick returner Tamarick Vanover will be given a look.
The coach, though, has other ideas.
"I don't in fact feel running back is the position of greatest need on this football team," Schottenheimer said. "I think that's the way the organization feels."
President/general manager Carl Peterson said, "We have some pretty good running backs currently on this roster. If it's the appropriate time, we may take one in this year's draft."
While nobody at Arrowhead Stadium is flatly denying a running back could be taken when the Chiefs pick 27th in the first round
tomorrow, interior
linenet, both offensive
and defensive,
might better suit the
might better suit the long range needs.
The Chiefs would love to find a replacement for former Pro Bowl left tackle John Ait, who retired before the start of last season and was missed. They have their eye on Florida State's 345-pound Tra Thomas, but do not expect him to be available unless they do a lot of wheeling and dealing and move up from 27th.
The Chiefs also have an interest in Kyle Turley of San Diego State, Victor Riley of Auburn and Flozell Adams of Michigan State.
"There are more 6-foot-7, 330-pound tackles in this draft than I can remember," said director of scouting Terry Bradway. "I think there will be guys from the first to the third round who will make it in the league and have a chance to play."
Defensive tackle is also a worry, although the expected signing of 12-year veteran defensive end Leslie O'Neal would lessen that worry. Another possibility was former Raider All Pro tackle Chester McGlockton, who was being courted as draft day approached.
One obvious weakness for the Chiefs last season was the lack of a consistent pass rush up the middle.
"If you look at the depth chart, the first position you would identify is defensive tackle," Schottenheimer said. "However, you're always faced with the situation as to availability. We've got a number of positions that we have an interest in — running back, defensive tackle. offensive lineman
"But the other side of it is that this is a draft that's strong at cornerback. This may be the best group of corners we've seen in a long, long time."
Right cornerback James Hasty is coming off a Pro Bowl year. But 1998 will mark his 11th year in the NFL. And while left cornerback Dale Carter was chosen a Pro Bowl alternate, the seven-year veteran has been experiencing knee problems and was beaten deep last year more often than ever before.
Other needs notwithstanding, the Chiefs love the luxury of playing man-to-man at the corners and would probably jump at the chance to nab a young defensive back gifted enough to become the next Hasty or Carter.
Their lack of success in using first-round picks for running backs might be one reason for their reluctance to address the position this year. Hill, chosen in the first round out of Texas &M in 1994, never worked out. Neither did Harvey Williams, the first-round pick of 1991.
"Running back is not that easy to project," said Peterson. "We know that."
Nevertheless, there are a number of possibilities the Chiefs will be paying close attention to, including Robert Edwards of Georgia, Skip Hickens of UCLA, Fred Taylor of Florida and Robert Holcombe of Illinois. Penn State's Curtis Enis is very unlikely to be available.
"You've got five running backs with a chance to contribute in their first year," Bradway said. "It just depends on the situation."
Insurance helps keep pros away
The Associated Press
AUSTIN, Texas — Texas running back Ricky Williams has insured his future after deciding to turn down millions in the NFL and return for his senior season with the Longhorns.
The nation's leading rusher last year has secured $2.8 million in insurance against the possibility of serious
of serious iniurv.
In 1990, the NCAA, seeking to give college football players a reason to stay in school for their senior seasons, began offering Exceptional Student-Athlete Disability Insurance
Williams: Opted for injury insurance instead of NFL
policies against injuries that could end their pro prospects.
The program covers athletes projected to be taken in the first three rounds of the NFL or NHL drafts and the first rounds of the NBA or Major League Baseball amateur drafts.
These projections are made after the underwriter consults with pro scouts. With the emergence of the Women's NBA and the American Basketball League, the NCAA is working to make policies available to women basketball players.
Williams said it was not his idea to buy the insurance. He purchased the policy on the suggestion of his mother and the Longhorns' men's athletics compliance coordinator, Leroy Sutherland.
for Williams, an education major who plans to teach grade school someday, the notion of a shrew business decision didn't seem so pressing.
"I'm not afraid of getting hurt," Williams said. "I can just do what I can do. I really don't care if I
have insurance or not. Enough insurance is my college education."
Sutherland, however, wanted to make sure Williams took every precaution necessary to safeguard his future.
"A lot of kids like to think it will happen to the other guy." Sutherland told the Austin American-Statesman, "... until it happens to them."
His advisers also have worked with Sutherland to secure an additional policy worth $1 million. That policy would pay off if Williams is not drafted in the first three rounds of the 1999 draft.
If Williams suffers an injury that results in permanent, total disability, he'll get $1.8 million through the insurance program sponsored by the NCAA.
The premiums for Williams, who already earns a paycheck playing pro baseball in the Philadelphia Phillies farm system, will total $26,000.
The coverage through the NCAA, available for a maximum of 24 months, is extended through American Special Underwriters of Stoneham, Mass.
Athletes certified as eligible by the NCAA can get loans through Mercantile Bank.
The athlete is required to pay the premium when he signs a pro contract, when the disability benefits are paid or when the coverage lapses with neither of the aforementioned outcomes.
It pays, according to Mark Idelson, vice president of ASU, if after six months, it's determined by a physician that the athlete can't play at a professional level for three consecutive years.
Former Miami defensive tackle Rusty Medearis, who suffered a serious knee injury in 1992, and returned briefly in 1994 at the risk of having his leg amputated, is one of the few athletes who have needed to collect. He collected on a $500,000 policy in 1993. He tried briefly to come back in 1994 but had to give it up.
texas running back Ricky Williams picks up a few of his 3,972 career rushing yards. Williams has secured $2.8 million in insurance against serious injury for his senior season. The NCAA allows top professional prospects to secure insurance policies, which provides an incentive to complete their eligibility. Photo courtesy of the University of Texas.
Chargers hope Leaf gets left in first round
SAN DIEGO — Fifteen minutes. That's all it will take for the San Diego Chargers to learn the identity of their franchise quarterback.
The Associate Press
The Indianapolis Colts will open tomorrow's NFL draft by taking Peyton Manning or Ryan Leaf. Choosing second.
the Chargers get whoever's left. They hope it's Leaf, with his strong arm and emotional leadership.
Leaf hopes to go to the Chargers, too.
"It would probably be the ideal situation," said Leaf, a 6-foot-5, 244-pounder who has relatives in the San Diego area and has let it be known for months he wants to wear the Charers' lightning bolts.
General manager Bobby Beathard, who generally loathes first-round picks, is glad he has one this year.
whether the Chargers' new quarterback starts right away or needs more time to learn the offense, they begin a new era. Stan Humphries, the only quarterback to take San Diego to the Super Bowl, retired rather than risk another concussion.
The Chargers paid a king's ransom to Arizona just to move up one spot in the pecking order. Knowing the likes of Leaf and Manning do not come around often, Beathard sent this year's second-round pick and next year's No. 1, plus star punt returner Met Calfcalf and linebacker
Patrick Sapp to the Cardinals.
Only time will tell whether the Chargers are getting another Dan Fouts, who guided the Chargers during the Air Coryell years and landed in the Hall of Fame.
"I can't compare anyone to Dan because he's a Hall of Famer," Beat hard said. "But you hope and expect that either one of these guys can be the kind of quarterback who's recognized as that special, in that elite group. Barring injury and having a good supporting cast, that's how we evaluate these guys."
Beathard said the Chargers would be happy with Leaf or Manning, but it is believed they favor Leaf, a junior who left Washington State after leading the Cougars to their first Rose Bowl in 67 years.
Leaf and Manning are both big and come from successful programs. Leaf is a little bigger and the Chargers like his arm strength.
"There just aren't many guys who come along with any stronger arm than a Ryan Leaf." Beathard said.
When asked which of his attributes means the most to him, Leaf said: "I just think I'm an emotional leader. The players around me feed off it."
Leaf, who grew up in Great Falls,
Mont., says he plays for the love of
the game. But now he and Manning
will get a lot of money. The two are
expected to seek signing bonuses
ranging between $7 million and $8
million.
Rams looking at ends as draft hype begins
Leaf said if the Chargers drafted him, he would not expect to start, but rather earn the job.
The Associated Press
ST. LOUIS — Every chance he got all winter, Dick Vermell touted the virtues of Penn
Victories of Penn State running back Curtis Enis.
The Rams rate Enis as the best player available after the big four: quarterbacks Peyton Manning and Ryan Leaf, defensive back Charles Woodson and defensive end Andre Wadsworth. They figure either the Bears, who choose fifth, or any team that makes a deal with Chicago will take Enis.
But when the sixth pick of the NFL draft rolls toomor
"The people who are interested in Curtis Enis aren't interested in trading with the Rams, they're interested in getting ahead of the Rams for fear he's our guy," said Charlie Arney, director of pro personnel. "They don't know if he's our guy, but they have to figure if he's their guy he might be our guy."
The Rams have a pressing need to replace end Leslie O'Neal, released in the offseason, plus Vermill said there's enough talent at running back he can take one, such as Illinois' Robert Holcombe, in the second round. The team spent several
row, the St. Louis Rams indicate they'll go for a defensive end, either Nebraska's Grant Wistrom or North Carolina's Greg Ellis. Coach Vermelm rates end as the team's No. 1 need, just ahead of running back, and the Rams don't think Enis will be around, anyway.
"I love the guy," Vermeil said. "He is infectious. But I don't think he's going to be there."
hours yesterday comparing videotape of Wistrom, considered the more steady of the two, and Ellis, considered a more explosive talent.
"We've got tape out the gazoo on these defensive ends," Vermeil said. "I'll see Greg Ellis do a beautiful inside move and he's right in the quarterback's face, and he's not doing it against Ma Perkins playing left tackle. He's doing it against a real good football player that also is going to be drafted."
Vermeil has also dropped several other names, including Florida running back Fred Taylor and offensive lineman Kyle Turley of San Diego State.
The Rams have the sixth pick for the fourth straight year. Two days before last year's draft they traded that pick along with their third-, fourth- and seventh-round selections to the New York Jets for the first pick, with which they took offensive tackle Orlando Pace.
Two years ago they went for a running back, with disastrous results. In 1996, the Rams ignored Lawrence Phillips' troubled past, and Phillips finally was waived last November after a short stay checkered with legal woes.
Having been burned, the Rams are not interested in Marshall wideout Randy Moss. Earlier this winter, Vermeil mouthed the words "no way" when asked whether he'd consider Moss, and on Wednesday he reiterated Moss is not on the Rams' draft board.
In 1995, the Rams took defensive end Kevin Carter, who has developed into a solid starter.
St. Louis has eight picks in the seven-round draft, including two selections in the fourth round.
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