Chiefs Workout a Running Back; LJ Insurance?
by Joel Thorman on Apr 6, 2009 7:28 PM CDT
in 2009 Kansas City Chiefs Draft
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The Kansas City Chiefs will hold a private workout with Tennessee State running back Javarris Williams this week according to Ed Thompson of Scout.com. This is the second Tennessee State player the Chiefs have scheduled a private workout with (OT Cornelius Lewis).
This news is coming out an interesting time - hours after the announcement that the Chiefs will not be obligated to pay the remaining guaranteed money in Larry Johnson's salary should the team release him.
Williams measured in at 5'9" and 223 pounds at the NFL Combine last month. He ran a 4.5 40 yard dash before pulling a hamstring.
Dan over at Mocking the Draft ranks him as the 21st running back in the 2009 draft class.
With his size he appears to be in a similar mold to Larry Johnson and would fit well as the thunder to Jamaal Charles' lightning. Here's what one scouting report said about his ability at the next level:
Strong and powerful build runner. Tight hipped inside runner. Good lower body strength and leg drive. Likes contact. A very willing blocker. Has balance and burst, although he is not fast (4.6). Will not turn the corner on the NFL. Has basically no experience as a receiver. Is smallish and tends to get lost inside.
He sounds like an interesting prospect, especially as a second day pick. You gotta love any player that's described as a "willing blocker". But what's up with the regression in his statistics?
| Year | Attempts | Yards | YPC | Touchdowns | Fumbles |
| 2006 | 245 | 1,233 | 5.0 | 11 | 0 |
| 2007 | 195 | 1,187 | 6.1 | 12 | 0 |
| 2008 | 207 | 1,037 | 5.0 | 15 | 0 |
He registered over 180 carries in all four seasons at Tennessee State and doesn't have any fumbles on record (at least according to ESPN.com). Isn't that amazing? (Ed. Note: Maybe too amazing. H/T Vince D)
What worries me is the regression from '06 to '07 to '08. He missed two games last season due to injury which accounts for part of his slip in '08. His yards per carry, however, remained consistently high and he increased his touchdown total each year despite getting less carries.
In spite of those two missed games last season, he garnered Offensive Player of the Year honors for the Ohio Valley Conference.
The Ohio Valley Conference site has some more information on a few of his accomplishments:
Javarris Williams completed his career at Tennessee State and the OVC by rushing for 4,329 yards, the fifth-highest total in league history and fourth-highest mark nationally among active players. In 2008 he ran for 1,037 yards and 15 touchdowns in 10 games (he missed the final two games of the year due to injury). That marked his third-straight season with 1,000 or more yards and his 103.7 yards/game ranked 26th nationally while his 9.60 points per game was the seventh-highest total in Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) play.
Who knows if the Chiefs are just doing their due diligence scouting a player like Williams or if this is a sign they plan to dump Johnson and draft a rookie.
One thing is for sure though when it comes to Williams - he'll be ready to play anytime he's asked to. In fact, he turned down offers from Big 12 schools for the opportunity to play right away for Tennessee State.
Putting football as a number one priority and playing because you love the game - where have we heard that before?
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No fumbles?
Let me know if anyone finds a stat site that contradicts that….0 fumbles is hard to believe.
If he really had 0 fumbles
I’d draft him just for that stat. It would be great to have a power back that we don’t have to worry will cough up the ball.
Found this:
Tendency to Fumble: Williams has had some ball security issues, leaving the ball too exposed in one hand when running into the second level, but he has made mechanical adjustments (now holds the ball on a better angle). He just needs to be more conscious of protecting the ball with both hands when running up the middle.
Maybe his school just doesn’t record fumbles as a stat?
He may still have zero fumbles.
That quote just mentions his exposure of the ball while carrying it, but never mentions actually fumbling.
Either way, good find, Vince.
"You said you was gonna take me to see Wu-Tang baby ...So I braided my hair, yes I did, cornroll and everything baby"
I don't have religion. I have Baduizm...and Billie Holiday.
by DThomasReigns on Apr 6, 2009 8:17 PM CDT up reply actions
...just trying to keep the hope alive.
"You said you was gonna take me to see Wu-Tang baby ...So I braided my hair, yes I did, cornroll and everything baby"
I don't have religion. I have Baduizm...and Billie Holiday.
by DThomasReigns on Apr 6, 2009 8:23 PM CDT up reply actions
TSU against the Southern University Jaguars, 9/1/08
The Tigers’ offense took the field after that looking to answer back and had a good-looking drive going. However, a fumble by Javarris Williams deep in Tigers territory brought the drive to an abrupt halt.
Sorry to burst anyone’s bubble. He has fumbled, I’m just to lazy to find out exactly how many times.
TSU vs. Florida A&M 2006
the most agonizing as TSU RB Javarris Williams fumbled on the 1-yard line in overtime, setting up a 34-yard game winning field goal by Wesley Taylor to give the Rattlers a 25-22 win.
nfldraftscout
has him ranked as the 14th RB, projected in rounds 5-6.
Looks like Pioli is bringing in a lot of guys who are projected in the later rounds...smart...
Since everybody already seems to know a lot about the guys who will taken in the first two rounds.
Does anyone know if Peterson or Edwards, did this before? Bringing in a bunch of late round prospects into Arrowhead prior to the draft?
Opinions are like A--holes, everyones got one.
by aPacificChief on Apr 7, 2009 5:58 AM CDT up reply actions
Interesting to note
the LB from Wisconsin the Chiefs are looking at, DeAndre Levy, is faster than Williams
http://www.profootballtalk.com/2009/04/06/wisconsins-levy-runs-a-450/
by KansasCityShuffle on Apr 6, 2009 8:35 PM CDT reply actions
Come on...
They work out a running back and it’s insurance against LJ? of course it is, regardless of whether or not he’s on the roster—-it’s the 21st ranked back in the draft—-and that is why you work LJ into the stroy? You can tell topisc are getting dry.
Slow time indeed
Another 18 days to the draft…
by Joel Thorman on Apr 7, 2009 12:21 AM CDT up reply actions
6th rd RB
If they like this guy, they could get him in the 6th round… if he works out, that’s a great, low cost way to get a RB!
I also like Ian Johnson from Boise State in the 6th…
again, draft the LB (curry, 1st), DE (kruger 3rd) C (Caldwell, 4th), and RT (Joel bell, 5th rd?) in the first 5 rounds, grab one of these guys in the 6th, then BPA (maybe WR) for depth in the 7th… could be a good strategy, if it works!
Peyton Hillis
The Jackasses drafted this guy in the 7th round.
He looked really good before ending the season with an injury.
Just goes to show these later round RBs can be very productive, and the Chiefs don’t have to put up with a douche like LJ, he can be easily replaced.
I also mention Hillis, because I could totally see Pioli finding a guy like this off of some other team’s roster… maybe even Hillis himself… the Broncs did pick up 3 FA RB already… they may have to cut one or two for roster space…
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