| Boston College RB William Green led the NCAA in rushing as a junior.
Michigan State RB T.J. Duckett averaged more than five yards per carry in three years in
East Lansing. Green is an exciting package of power and speed. Duckett is huge, incredibly
fast and strong as a bull. Leading into the NFL draft, most personnel men in the league
are struggling to find an advantage one has over the other. Green rushed for 1,559
yards and 17 touchdowns before declaring for the NFL draft a year early. Duckett picked up
1,420 yards and 12 rushing touchdowns for the Spartans. So who has the inside track in
this battle of thoroughbreds?
"They are both very good backs," said Pete Garcia, Browns player development
coordinator. "Big backs with speed."
Since the NFL Scouting Combine broke in February, Duckett has been turning heads around
the league. The 6-2, 250-pounder ran the 40-yard dash in 4.45 seconds, had a vertical leap
of 37 inches, recorded a 9-foot-11 broad jump and has his body fat under a mind-boggling
six percent. Green turned 40 times — considered pedestrian measured against high
expectations — of 4.56 and greater, though his strength, lifting 225 pounds 27 times,
continues to be impressive.
At Green’s pro day in Boston, the largest contingents of scouts and coaches were
from the Browns and Cowboys. Cleveland head coach Butch Davis was also at Duckett’s
workout and speculation is that Cleveland will take a running back with the No. 16 pick
after Browns RB James Jackson averaged 2.8 yards per carry in 2001.
Green, a 6-0, 221-pounder, was compared to Edgerrin James by one NFL scout who said,
"He has the same build, but he is stronger. The only difference might be catching the
football."
Neither back was asked to catch the ball out of the backfield with any regularity in
college. RBs Clinton Portis of Miami (Fla.) and DeShaun Foster (UCLA) are garnering
attention because of their ability to do just that.
"The guy I think people are leaving out is Portis," said Garcia, who
recruited Portis while at Miami. "I don’t know if people are overlooking him,
but he should be right there with (Green and Duckett)."
Dallas owner and general manager Jerry Jones and head coach Dave Campo attended
Green’s session in Chestnut Hill. The Cowboys, thought to be after Texas CB Quentin
Jammer, whom they’ve met with three times individually, are also in the market for a
successor to Emmitt Smith. Picking sixth, Jones is in an ideal position to take a crack at
a difference-maker at multiple positions.
"We like our situation with Emmitt and Troy Hambrick," Campo said at the
Combine. "But you are always looking to make your team better any way you can. There
isn’t any player or any position we aren’t interested in taking a look at."
Teams aren’t backing off of Green, 21, because of 40 times perceived to be
lackluster. Green’s "game speed" makes him a first-round lock, according to
one personnel director.
"The numbers matter, don’t get me wrong," he said. "But it’s
another to see it on the football field. William Green is a football player and a fine
running back. He has the speed. Emmitt Smith was slow coming out of Florida. Now he’s
second on the (NFL’s all-time rushing) list."
Duckett, 21, was hopeful that a 4.4 or better in the 40 would cement his place as the
top running back in the draft after two disappointing trials by Green. Thus far, with two
weeks remaining before that status is finalized, it appears Green hasn’t lost any
ground in spite of his lackluster clock speed.
"My goal was to run a 4.4," Duckett said. "I hit it. Any time I go in
and play, I want to be the best player on the field. In the draft, it usually goes in that
order. It would be an honor to be the first back."
Green said there is no competition with Duckett, or any other running back in the
draft.
"I (wouldn’t) say it is competition," Green said. "It’s more
of a personal goal of mine to be the best. I’ve always wanted to be the best. You
work hard and you want to go as high as you can go."
Duckett has been compared to former Wisconsin RB Ron Dayne, now with the Giants,
because of his unique combination of size, speed and the ability to run over linebackers
and corners with relative ease. But the comparison Duckett prefers is that to Steelers RB
Jerome Bettis. Duckett and Bettis are friendly enough to be on a first-name basis.
"I don’t know him real well, but I’ve talked to him a couple of
times," Duckett said, adding that he has spoken to Bettis since the Combine.
"You have to take anything from a guy like that. Whatever tips he can give (you).
He’s a big back with speed and power. I look at myself the same way."
Green, who said he ran the 40 in 4.3 as a freshman, isn’t letting the whispers
about his speed get to him. He knows he can get it done on the field. How quickly he is
able to make an impact is another question, but Green has his sights set extremely high.
Growing up, Green admired Lions RB Barry Sanders because he "did things no other
player could ever do."
"When I watched him, I said ‘Wow!" Green said.
But will we say ‘Wow’ when Green totes the football?
"I hope so," Green said. "I won’t say it will be to the extent of
Barry Sanders, but I hope to give you some highlights."
After a modest upbringing, finances were a consideration when Green, a native of
Atlantic City, N.J., announced his intention to enter the NFL draft and signed with agent
Tom Condon. Green, wearing a boyish grin and prompting an ironic visual, said the first
thing he’ll buy after he has signed a contract is a couple of horses.
"I want horses," he said. "I like it that they are a big animal; strong
and fast."
Depending on where Green is selected, he’ll get a chance to show his gait from the
outset, and begin what he hopes is a long career.
"(Emmitt Smith) and Barry Sanders were my generation," Green said.
"Emmitt is very durable; he’s been around forever. I hope he gets the (rushing)
record this year. I hope God blesses me to play that long. Emmitt is a very blessed man to
be able to play that long.
"I don’t know what the NFL is like and won’t know until I get there. I do
know I’ll be ready for it."
Q&A with Boston College RB William
Green
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