Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, April 23, 1990 TAG: 9004230118
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B1 EDITION: EVENING
SOURCE: By SCOTT BLANCHARD SPORTSWRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
To Warren, however, that just meant fewer knocks.
"If anything, it saved my body," said Warren, the prolific Panther who was chosen by Seattle in the fourth round (90th overall) of the NFL draft Sunday. "I played [about] two complete games this year. The rest of the guys have been playing the whole game, taking a pounding."
And, Warren would have taken harder shots had he stayed at Division I Virginia, where he played before transferring to Ferrum in 1988. But Warren, a promising runner in Charlottesville before becoming academically ineligible, struck Seattle's fancy. The Seahawks, shallow in the backfield, made Warren their first offensive pick.
Seattle lost Plan B free-agent running back Curt Warner in the off-season, and one of its draft priorities was to solidify the offensive backfield.
"It's a great opportunity for me because they don't have any backs that started for them last year other than John L. Williams," said Warren, a native of Burke.
Warren and Liberty tight end Eric Green, taken with the 21st pick in the first round by Pittsburgh, were the only state players chosen during the first five rounds Sunday. Green, a 6-foot-4, 270-pounder, was projected as a late first-round to early second-round pick even though he played at a Division I-AA school. His size, speed and pass-catching ability impressed NFL scouts.
"He's a real quick player with huge hands and long arms, and he can make tough catches in traffic," said Dick Haley, Pittsburgh's player personnel director. "And he can knock people off his feet without even trying."
Green is expected to figure prominently in the offense of Joe Walton, the Steelers' new offensive coordinator.
"I was very elated," Green said of being picked by the Steelers, adding that Pittsburgh has always been his favorite NFL team.
Warren may not have gone to his dream team, but at least he knows he is needed.
"I got the impression that [they need] somebody to come in and carry the ball as many times as they need or catch the ball," he said. "I feel like I can do it."
Not long after the draft resumed at 10 a.m. today, Virginia running back Marcus Wilson was drafted by the Los Angeles Raiders in the sixth round. Wilson, who rushed for 1,098 yards during the 1989 season, had elected to pass up his final season of eligibility.
Wilson was the first UVa player to be drafted.
Warren, a 6-1 1/2, 224-pounder who has been timed in 4.6 seconds for the 40-yard dash, said he will report to Seattle's three-week minicamp April 29, then return to Washington in July for training camp. Once in minicamp, Warren must adjust to the size and speed of NFL defenders.
"It's going to be rough . . . a big step and everything," said Warren, the 14th running back selected in the draft. "It just means I have to work harder.
Some information for this story was provided by The Associated Press.
by CNB