'No one better'
Heisman winner believes he should be selected No. 1
Posted: Friday February 19, 1999 10:18 PM
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Williams will not participate in any drills at the combine. Brian Bahr/Allsport |
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams doesn't know
if he'll be the first pick in the NFL draft. But the recording-setting
running back from Texas believes he should be.
"I'm not going to say I'm the best, but there is no one better than me
out there," Williams said Friday at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Williams and Kentucky quarterback Tim Couch are widely believed to be
the expansion Cleveland Browns' top two prospects for the first overall
pick in April.
Williams, the NCAA's all-time leading rusher with 6,279 yards, clearly
wants to impress the Browns.
"I'll be on my knees doing this," Williams said, making a praying
gesture. "Once you get to the top of your game, and you go on to the next
level, it is always an honor to be taken No. l." In recent weeks, Couch
has all but campaigned for the Browns to take him first. Williams took
exception to Couch's lobbying after arriving at the combine.
"If you have to campaign like that to be taken ... ," Williams said.
"Hopefully, my play and the way I carry myself speaks volumes for me.
Hopefully, the Browns will see that and take me with the first pick."
About 300 NFL hopefuls will be participating in the combine before it
ends Monday. The NFL supplies shorts, T-shirts, sweats and an itinerary
packed with activity.
The schedule includes medical exams, seminars, interviews with team
personnel, written tests and drills in the RCA Dome that gauge their
potential to play in the league.
Browns Executive Vice President and Director of Football Operations
Dwight Clark said what happens at the combine will not sway the
organization.
"I don't think the guys that are in the running are even working out
here," Clark said. "Their individual workouts will determine it. The
running around, it's all fine. But we do most of our grading from the game
tapes."
Williams said he was measured at 5-foot-10, 244 pounds Friday. He
plans on leaving Indianapolis on Saturday, and will not participate in any
drills.
Along with being a football star, Williams plays baseball in the Texas
Rangers organization. NFL teams are asking Williams about his baseball
interests.
"Football comes first," he said. "Baseball is my hobby. Nobody is
telling me not to play baseball."
Before meeting with officials from the Browns, Williams interviewed
with coaches from the Kansas City Chiefs, New Orleans Saints, New York Giants and Indianapolis Colts.
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