North County Times from Oceanside, California • 20

06 Blade-Citizen Monday, April 22, 1991 The Sheriff is coming to town Stanley Richard, FS, Texas SCOUTING REPORT Versatile athlete who played al tour defensive back positions during college career with the Longhorns. 6-1, 199 pounds, Impressed at the scouting combine with a 4 48 time 40, and a 37 -inch vertical leap. Tied far second place on Texas aWime list for interceptions with 13, including tour hs senior year. AP AK-Amen-ca first team selection as a senior when he started every game at flee safety and was second on the team with 111 tackles (65 solo). Had a season-high 18 tackles in Texas' 14-13 win over Oklahoma Consensus Southwest Conference defensive player of foe year.

Chargers notebook Long arms at 35 inches, three nches longer than any Chargers DB. Figures to start at (tee safety, replacing Venae Glenn who joined the Raiders as a Plan free agent Nick name: The Sheriff COMMENTS General manager Bobby Beathard: He's what you look for at free safety He's got the range to cover the field He's run under 4 4 He's tad He's a hitter He's a very alert player. Al that position, If you're going to be good you've got to have that kind of player Coach Dan Henning: "There were a number of defensive backs taken early, but this guy fits us better than any of those people taken. He has the speed to play comer, yet he is big enough and he hits well enough to play free safety I Hke him all the way around Defensive back coach Jim Mora: "Its rare to find a safety that a big time hitter and a great cover guy. The last guy to do that was Ronnie Lott and hopefully this guy will have that type of career.

The great ones jump out at you and he jumped out at us quick. By Geoffrey Ooley Staff Writer SAN DIEGO When the Charg-Z ers made Stanley Richard their No. 1 pick in Sundays NFL draft, San Diego may not have known it was getting a new sheriff in the bargain. Thats the nickname Richard wound up with during his career as a defensive back at Texas The Sheriff. The story behind the nickname is simple enough.

One day during I his last season at Texas he was wearing a toy sheriffs badge a friend had given him when a 1 reporter interviewed him. The reporter asked why he was wearing a badge. Richard made up an answer on the spur of the moment I told him I was The Sheriff of the Texas secondary who was going to bring law and order to the game, said Richard. The Longhorns opponent that week was Houston. When Cougars coach John Jenkins heard about Richards remarks he had a few of his own.

He said they were outlaws and they were going to ride into Austin and shoot down The Sheriff. Richard said. Instead, the Texas secondary intercepted Houston quarterback David Klingler four times and limited the Cougars run-and shoot Hes the offensive guard the Chargers drafted in the second round after sending next years No. 1 to Washington. Even Moten sounded surprised when he heard what the Chargers gave up to get him.

Wow, thats all I can say, Moten said. Im amazed, really that they would give that much up for me. But Im happy they think that much of me. Dont let it go to your head, Eric. The Chargers also get Washingtons fifth-round pick in next years draft.

Colorado running back Eric Bie-niemy wasnt expecting to coming to San Diego. But he likes the idea. Im excited. Its a homecoming for me, said Bieniemy. I get to go back to Southern California." Bieniemy is from West Covina and prepped at Bishop Amat.

Richard and his nickname The Sheriff might lead some to wonder if he is a bit cocky. Defensive backs coach Jim Mora, who worked out Richard in preparation for the draft, found none of that. He has a little bit of an athletic arrogance," said Mora. Its not cockiness. There is a difference.

Cardiff resident Stan Thomas, a teammate of Richard's at Texas, was selected in the first round by the Chicago Bears. The offensive tackle was the 22nd pick overall and the fourth offensive lineman taken in the first round. I thought I might go a little higher in the draft but Im happy to be going to a contending team, said Thomas, an All-American at the University of Texas. Im the happiest man in the world. Thomas will go to Chicago Thursday to meet the media.

The draft resumes today at 7 a.m. and will continue until all 12 rounds are completed. The Chargers have 10 picks left. After facing questions from the media concerning his trade of the Chargers No. 1 pick, Chargers general manager Bobby Beathard told them he had fielded inquiries about a trade for one of the Chargers current players, but turned it down.

Who was the player? Gagliano, Beathard replied with a straight face. Bob Gagliano is the journeyman quarterback Beathard signed as a Plan free agent. His signing met with near unanimous indifference when it was announced. When the reporters burst into laughter, Beathard claimed he was serious. I swear.

Honestly. said Beat-hard. They called early and asked if we would trade Gagliano. I said he is an untouchable. offense to a season-low 299 yards passing.

But the nickname didnt stop with Houston. Each week teams picked up on that. Everyone tried to shoot down The Sheriff, Richard said. Even opposing teams were telling me what they were going to do to The Sheriff. Since the end of the season, Richards toy badge has been replaced by another.

He was made an honorary sheriff of Wood County, where his hometown of Hawkins is located, by the real sheriff. His proud hometown of Hawkins, which has a population of 1,300, even staged Stanley Richard Week Feb. 17 24. Richard brought his toy badge with him to San Diego the real one is home for safe keeping. But he also knows a rookie's place in the NFL For now he has no plans to bring out the badge.

Maybe hell wait until the Chargers secondary needs The Sheriff. Talk about pressure, how would you like to be Eric Moten? George Thornton, DT, Alabama SCOUTING REPORT At 6-3, 300, an awesome run stufer who has tremendous explosion off the ball. Very physical and tenacious pass rusher with the ability to drive and collapse the pocket Recently timed at 5 1 the 40 Third team All-Amenca by both AP and The Poor Man's Guide to the NFL Draft Started every game at left defensive end as senior for Crimson Tide Finished thud on team xi tackles with 58, had seven sacks, caused and recovered one fumble Had seven tackles, a sack and stop for a toss in Alabama's 9-6 victory over Tennessee Played three seasons at Alabama, the last two as a starter Sat out 1987 season under Proposition 48 rules Tore quadncep left leg running 40 at combine Also takes medicatxxi to regulate fluctuating blood pressure Figures to back up starter Joe Fhillips at defensive tackle and be second defensive tackle on run downs COMMENTS Henning- "The thing that caught our eye on him was we saw the Tennessee film where Antone Davis, who went with the seventh pick the draft, couldn't block this guy He gives us another big man inside where we've been hurt by the run against some of the running football teams Beathard: He's one of the two guys, with Stanley Richard being the other, that we felt we had to come out of the draft with if we were going to improve our defense. BOBBY BEATHARD Lives up to 'wheeler-dealer' reputation Chargers From Page C-1 He started off sedately enough for the Chargers in the first round. When both Charles McRae and Antone Davis, the two huge offensive tackles from Tennessee, were gone, Beathard used the ninth pick in the draft on Stanley Richard, a safety from Texas.

The Chargers staff expects Richard to step in immediately and start for the Chargers this coming season. Beathard said Richard was the player they had wanted with their first pick all along despite the talk about an offensive lineman. We thought that Stanley was one of the top two football players in the draft, Beathard said. He has the speed to line up at comer. He could probably be as good a comer as you could draft this year, but he's been playing free safety and hes what you look for in a free safety Early draft publications didnt project Richard going until late in the first round.

However, defensive back coach Jim Mora echoed Beat hard's praise. We didnt feel it was a reach at all, Mora said. "In fact, we were worried that he wouldnt be there." Richard is from Hawkins, Texas, population: 1,300. But by the end of the scouting combine every NFL team knew about him. Mora said it took little to recognize his ability.

When you see the great ones, they jump out at you, Mora said. This guy just jumped out at you. It was so apparent when we worked him out. You dont have to evaluate Eric Bieniemy, RB, Colorado SCOUTING REPORT A player with game-breaking speed and moves al 5-7, 208 Short, but has huge legs, 31 -mch thighs and a 30-inch waist Hold's school records with 3,940 yards rushing, 4 327 all-purpose yards, 21 100-yard rushing games, a pair of 200-yard games, two 1 000-yard rushing seasons, 689 rushing attempts. 254 points and 42 touchdowns Ran 4 38 40 All-Amenca pick as a senior by The Poor Man's Guide to the NFL Lack of height limits him as a receiver and blocker Has small hands and reputation of fumbling Lost 12 fumbles last year Figures to back up Marion Butts and return kickoffs Comments Henning 1 was surprised to see him still on the board When you get a chance to collect running backs with that kind of quality I don't think you can turn it down He's a running back who can play on any down Beathard- "He's special He something different than we have here nght now He a game-breaker Eric Moten, Michigan State SCOUTING REPORT Stand-out drive blocker who spent first two years of his Spartan career as a defensive tackle 6-3, 292 Built for the position and was starting left guard for two years All-Big Ten as a senior, helping Spartan running attack average 253 9 yards per game, 10th best the nation Mixed reviews on ability One draft publication rated him the best offensive guard available in Ihe draft who will be capable of competing for a starting job this year Another had him as the fourth -best guard and sad he has talent, but will need development Has a mean streak Was thrown out of the John Hancock Bowt for throwing an open-handed punch al a USC lineman who jumped offside Chargers traded their No 1 pick next year to Washington for second-round pick used to draft him They also get the Redskins' pick in the fifth round next year Figures to compete for starting left guard position COMMENTS Beathard "We had him rated the top 1 5 of the first round He was our top-rated guard He's another big 300-pound kid.

a good athlete Hes a heck of a player It assures us of moving Courtney (Hall) back to center and it gives us a good group of young linemen Yancey Thigpen, WR, Winston-Salem State SCOUTING REPORT Leading receiver as a senior for the Rams with 44 catches for 968 yards and 14 TDs 6-0, 208 Good size and has improved speed Speed was suspect, but recently ran 4 54 40 Catches the ball wen, will make the tough catch and is willing to block Went to same college as Chargers defensive back Donald Frank Has not faced top competition Needs development and refinement COMMENTS Henning "He is a bigger receiver When it came to our turn Charlie (Joiner, receivers coach) said he was closer to being a player now than any of the othef reoeivers still on the board This guy is a candidate to get into that spot where we've been looking for another receiver Great name him very long. You see the great ones and the poor ones right away. It's the guys that are in between that are tough Richard brings a nickname with him to San Diego. He began calling himself The Sheriff" of the Texas secondary before the Longhorns game against Houston last season. It stuck.

Richard even has a badge, making him an honorary sheriff of his home county in Texas. Richard didn't bring his badge when he met the media wearing a No 24 Chargers jersey after (lying into San Diego "When you go somewhere new, I don't say too much at the start, Richard said "Thats the way I'm going to be here. When I fit into the program, then I might be able to be a leader on the field. Thats what Im going to try to be Chargers coach Dan Henning was also pleased with his latest No. 1 pick.

This guy fits us better than any other defensive back in the draft, said Henning. He can cover the field and hes a hitter While the selection of Richard may have gone according to form, things began to get a little strange for the Chargers in the second round The team that just signed defensive tackle Joe Phillips on Saturday and announced its intention to improve at wide receiver and offensive tackle in this draft, selected another defensive tackle with its first pick in the second round. Thats when Beathard tabbed 6 foot 3, 300- pound George Thornton from Alabama. Not all that strange, considering Beathard was ready with his reasons. One was that he and the Chargers had rated Moten as one of the top 15 picks in the draft.

They took Bieniemy because they never expected him to be available where they drafted him and couldnt pass up the opportunity. Then they traded away next years No. 1 to get Moten. Beathard acknowledged it all might seem a little strange to those not used to the way he operates. "Bieniemy is a peculiar pick, Beathard said.

We didnt really take him because it filled a need so much. It was he was an exciting player that we just didnt expect to be there at that time of the draft. We thought he could help us. He gives us a dimension that we dont have right now. But giving up a No.

1 for Moten? A lot of times you just go by feel," said Beathard. Giving up a first wasnt a tough decision. But wasn't he concerned that the price was a bit high? "I don't know, Beathard said. We ll wait and tell you next year depending on where we finish and how Moten does this coming fall. We had him graded as a potential first-year starter.

Whether he does that, I don't know. His reason for dealing was simple. "I want to get better this year," Beathard said. Its not all that the future is now deal. We wouldnt mortgage the future, but I dont think we did that.

We'll see what happens next year We look at it as if we got a first-rounder in the second round. Chargers fans, welcome to NFL life with Bobby, that Beathard had also announced his desire to upgrade that position as well. However, when the Chargers used their second pick in the sec ond round coming from Tampa Bay in the Gary Anderson deal to draft Colorado running back Eric Bieniemy, reporters tracking the draft in the media room exchanged glances. After all, this is the team that already has Marion Butts, Rod Bemstine and Ronnie Hannon and a one back offense. But after the trade of next years No.

1 pick was announced, along with the selection of Moten from Michigan State, the questions were waiting for Beathard. The selection of wide receiver Yancey Thigpen by the Chargers in the fourth round was barely noticed. McGwire Scholfield to Canada. 2. This was not a strong draft.

The ownership group of Wayne Gretzky, comedian John Candy and multi millionaire Bruce McNall of the Toronto Argonauts pooled their resources to sign Ismail, the exciting Notre Dame star, to a $18 2 million contract (guaranteed) over four years. By joining the Canadian Football League, "Rocket jumbled many draft plans. Ismail was originally going to be the No. 1 pick of the New England Patriots, but they trad ed that choice to the Dallas Cowboys. There was speculation he would end up in Atlanta.

Instead, the hockey player, the actor and the gambling businessman, who owns the Los Angeles Kings, lured him north. With Ismail out of the way, the draft became a cautious exercise for almost every team. It was clear that the majority of the teams were having second and third thoughts about who to draft. There were few quick choices made because of the uncertainty of the talent. Dallas, in fact, made several trades to move down the list.

The first pick of the draft was Miami's Russell Mary land, a defensive tackle. Yes, the same Russell Maryland who was manhandled by San Diego State freshman tackle Carlson Leomiti when the two teams met last year. That might tell you something of the quality of this draft. The Chargers, of course, said they were very pleased with their first pick. It took the Chargers less than two minutes to pick the University of Texas safety.

When I worked him out three weeks ago, it was like working out Junior Seau, defensive back coach Jim Mora said. The great athletes jump out at you. Junior was that way and so is Stanley. He's a big (6-1, 199), fluid athlete. All I had to do is throw the ball at him and you could tell he was something special." San Diego, though, didnt impress me with one of their second round picks, running back Eric Bieniemy.

Although Bieniemy is a talented athlete. I wonder where the 5 foot 7, 204 pound, All America from Colorado will play. With Marion Butts, Rod Bemstine and Ron nie Harmon, why would the Chargers select another back? Particularly when the team needs offensive line help, and help at wide receiver And Bieniemy cannot play receiver. Head coach Dan Henning gave the old Best athlete, too good to pass up answer "We debated about wide receiver," said Hen ning, "but the wide receivers left are not what we need. We think Eric was a much better player than anyone on the board.

If that be the case, why did the Chargers then trade their No. 1 pick in the 1992 draft to get offensive lineman Eric Moten of Michigan State? That's what they did when they secured Washingtons second round pick. And this came aIerthe Chargers took Bieniemy and their other second round choice, huge George Thornton, a frfoot 3, 300 pound defensive tackle from Alabama. Strange? As mere sportswriters and members of the public these decisions, at least on the surface, dont look that great. How does the word horrible strike you? Then again, somewhere in those great football minds of Henning and GM Bobby Beathard, there is a master plan that only they can see right now.

Maybe we will look back four years from now and praise Beathard and Henning for this landmark draft. Or four years from now well ask, What the hell were they doing? From Page C-1 for blue-chippers is to select an agent who will finance them through the scouting combine, through the draft and up to the actual signing. The good players have no trouble finding agents. There are legions of them. Some are hke locusts, sweeping down on unsuspecting kids, promising them more wealth than they ever believed possible.

Whether you like it or not I still think athletes should go to college to get an education first this is the standard procedure now. Steve Feldman, Junior Seau's agent last year, financed the Oceanside High great before the Chargers made him their first pick. And agent Mike Merkow did the same thing this year for Cardiff resident Stan Thomas, who was picked in the first round by the Chicago Bears. Sunday, of course, represented another step toward the ultimate goal of multi million dollar contracts, something all first round picks get these days. But, oh it was a long first round, the longest in history.

It took 4 hours and 55 minutes to complete the first round where 27 teams received 15 minutes each to make a choice. That beat the previous mark by 39 minutes. And to think there were only 27 picks on the first-round board because the Jets did not have a first round pick after taking wide receiver Rob Moore in the supplemental draft a year ago. Why such a long time? Two reasons: 1. The defection of Raghib Rocket Ismail Associated Press Photo From Page C-1 doesnt have to perform right away because David Krieg's the incumbent, and McGwire felt comfortable with Seattle quarterback coach Ken Meyer.

They have a very well balanced offense, said McGwire of his new team. They run the ball first and then they throw it. When they throw the ball they use four wide receivers. Thats what we did at San Diego State to spread the defensive backs. Kenny Meyer, the quarterback coach, and I hit it off in every aspect.

Chuck Knox is a great coach and I think theyre a team on the upswing. I'd be happy anywhere, but my first love was Seattle. They seemed the most interested in me. The Seahawks already have three quarterbacks Krieg, the long-time starter who'll be 33 in November, Kelly Stouffer, 26, and perennial backup Jeff Kemp, 31. McGwires selection could mean the end of Stauffer's career with the Seahawks.

The word out of Seattle is that Stouffer has fallen out of favor with the coaching staff. I would rather not address that right now, Seahawks president Tom Flores said. Krieg's career has had its share of ups and downs. He has often been criticized for fumbling because of his small hands. The NFL doesn't keep records on the heights of past pro quarterbacks but the Seahawks said ftfoot-7 Sonny Gibbs, from Texas Christian, is believed to be the tallest quarterback in the leagues history.

Were pleased we got a young quarterback with a very powerful, powerful arm, Flores said. Weve got a very unique player because at his size nobody has ever done it at his position. Flores refused to speculate about the possibility of McGwire replacing Krieg. I dont want to put that kind of pressure on anybody right now, Flores said. I cant say how fast this kid Is going to come around.

I Dan McGwire waits to be drafted. cant say how fast he will be a starter. But we didnt draft him not to be a starter. We didnt draft him for a backup role. McGwire threw for 3,651 yards as a junior, but threw 19 interceptions to go along with 16 touchdowns.

But he improved that in his senior season when he threw for 3,833 yards, cutting his interceptions to seven while upping his touchdown total to 27. Those factors, plus the liberalization of the league's in-the-grasp rule, improved McGwire's standing. McGwire's Aztec teammate, Pio Sagapolutele, was selected in the fourth round by the Cleveland Browns, the 85th pick overall. The 6-5, 280-pound native of Honolulu was projected by scouting gurus as the 18th best available nose tackle. He obviously has NFL size, but never quite played up to his potential at SDSU.

As a senior, he made 30 tackles, six for losses and had two sacks. Those numbers are down from his junior year, when he had sacks, 44 tackles. More Aztecs could get drafted today when the draft resumes with the fifth round. Center Nick Subis and wide receiver Dennis Arey are the ones with the best chances. Rams take Lyght; Raiders get rights to Rocket LOS ANGELES (AP) The Rams saw the Lyght and the Raiders drafted a "Rocket in Sundays first four rounds of the NFL draft The Los Angeles Rams moved to shore up a number of weak areas, using their fist two picks in the NFL draft to take comerback Todd Lyght and linebacker Roman Phifer, then acquiring tackle Gerald Perry in a trade with Denver.

Los Angeles selected Lyght, from Notre Dame, as the fifth player taken then chose Phifer, from UCLA, in the second round. Los Angeles then shipped running back Gaston Green to Denver to get Perry. The Raiders, who've always had a penchant for players with troubled pasts, selected former Southern Cal quarterback Todd Marinovich in the first round of the NFL draft The Raiders have also been willing to gamble with later round picks, such as the seventh-round selection in 1987 that yielded Bo Jackson, at that time an outfielder terback, left school with two years of eligibility remaining after clashes with Trojans coach Larry Smith. The Rams were surprised that Lyght was still available when it came their turn to pick. The choice of the Irish defender was relatively obvious since the Rams were among the worst in the league last season in pass defense and are planning to go to a more aggressive scheme that will require solid man to-man coverage by their comerbacks.

with the Kansas City Royals. In the fourth round, the Raiders selected Raghib "Rocket" Ismail of Notre Dame, who earlier in the day signed a four-year contract with the CFLs Toronto team. Anytime you can get a player as explosive as this, you have to take a shot, Raiders coach Art Shell said. Hell still be a young man in four years." He would, in fact be 25, should he decide to try the NFL Marinovich, the 24th player picked and just the second quar i.