Rob told buddy to draft Eric Williams

[Doomsday101]

Rob's first full-time job was as an assistant at Tennessee State. He was there in 1991 when he recommended that his father take an opposing lineman, Erik Williams, a Philadelphia native who played at Central State. All the Ryans insist that if Buddy hadn't gotten fired, the Eagles would have taken Williams, a future all-pro selected in the third round by the Dallas Cowboys, instead of trading up in the first round to take future bust Antone Davis, as the Eagles did after Ryan was dismissed in January 1991.

"That's who I was going to draft. That's what we needed," Ryan said.

Revisionist history? Not to the Ryans.

Said Rex: "That's a true statement. My brother told him, 'Dad, I've got your guy.' Dad's going to take (Williams) in the first round. Instead, he gets fired. Trust me, we knew it to be true."

"That would have been his guy," Rob said. "He looked at the tape. That guy was nasty, and he was tough. He kicked the crap out of us at Tennessee State."

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/...n-mold-of-cantankerous-father-Buddy.html?pg=2

 

[CowboyMort]

I am glad it worked out the way it did. I loved watching the guy play (before injury). He was flat out nasty and dominant.

 

[Doomsday101]

I am glad it worked out the way it did. I loved watching the guy play (before injury). He was flat out nasty and dominant.

I agree, just good to know as a Defensive coach Rob knew a great OT when he saw one.

 

[Reality]

Said Rex: "That's a true statement. My brother told him, 'Dad, I've got your guy.' Dad's going to take (Williams) in the first round. Instead, he gets fired. Trust me, we knew it to be true."

One of the best days of my life as a Cowboys fan

-Reality

 

[Dave_in-NC]

One of the best days of my life as a Cowboys fan

-Reality

Yes sir.

 

[MarkP88]

I totally believe this -- I`m from NY, and I specifically remember Buddy being quoted in the NYT, complimenting the Cowboys for picking Big E. At the time, Ryan was probably our single most hated opponent (player or coach), so I distinctly remember thinking, `this guy must really be good if Buddy Ryan is complimenting the pick.`

Mark P

 

[bbgun]

First round? Bullcrap. Even Jimmy didn't take him 'til the third.

 

[Doomsday101]

First round? Bullcrap. Even Jimmy didn't take him 'til the third.

Philly drafted OT Antone Davis in the 1st rd of that draft and he bombed. Where Jimmy took Eric really does not matter in the end Eric played like a 1st rd pick.

 

[bbgun]

Philly drafted OT Antone Davis in the 1st rd of that draft and he bombed. Where Jimmy took Eric really does not matter in the end Eric played like a 1st rd pick.

I realize that. I just find it implausible that Rob suggested they take Erik in the first round.

 

[CowboyMort]

One of the best days of my life as a Cowboys fan

-Reality

I second that. I hated that guy.

 

[burmafrd]

Makes you wonder- without Eric our right side is nowhere near as good.

 

[Doomsday101]

I realize that. I just find it implausible that Rob suggested they take Erik in the first round.

Maybe it is how the viewed him and rated him. In the end Buddy was fired before that draft and Eagles with the 1st pick in that draft did take an OT and he was a bust. Eric on the other hand had teams known his ability very well could have gone earlier but coming from a smaller college did not rate him as high. Another example of the draft being imperfect sciences.

 

[cowboyed]

I am glad it worked out the way it did. I loved watching the guy play (before injury). He was flat out nasty and dominant.

He literally made defensive ends and tackles cry he was that brutal a blocker.

 

[Doomsday101]

Makes you wonder- without Eric our right side is nowhere near as good.

One thing I will always remember about Eric is how he beat the hell out of Reggie White. Few men ever stood toe to toe with Reggie and dominated him like Eric did.

 

[bsheeern]

I realize that. I just find it implausible that Rob suggested they take Erik in the first round.

Don't get so caught up in the rounds as much as where the teams picked. Late 1st isn't far from early third and so forth. Happens all the time in the draft. Not to hard for a guy to go 40 picks higher than what is projected. Plus this was 20 years ago. (Wow that's crazy when I type it) teams and drafts were wa different back then. Hard to get info on guys without Internet clips and YouTube type stuff. Tapes had to be mailed from place to place and opinions on players varied greatly. Just look at Jerry rice.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Pretty good article. Thanks for posting.

 

[Randy White]

First round? Bullcrap. Even Jimmy didn't take him 'til the third.

It's not as if it would have been the first time the Beagirls reached for a player in the draft.. It wouldn't have surprised me if they would have taken Big E in the 1st round.

 

[bbgun]

It's not as if it would have been the first time the Beagirls reached for a player in the draft.. It wouldn't have surprised me if they would have taken Big E in the 1st round.

At #8 overall? No way. There are limits to their stupidity.

 

[Doomsday101]

At #8 overall? No way. There are limits to their stupidity.

But in the end would it have been stupid? No doubt on draft day the Kipers of the world would be saying it was a mistake yet the mistake ended up being the OT they took with the pick and the reality ended up being Williams was a dominate player and clearly played as you would expect a 1st rd pick to play. Sometimes I think people get wrapped up in their own speculation about a player and where he should go in the draft but as Gil Brandt once said if you really like a player alot go get him or you may end up missing out altogether.

 

[Randy White]

At #8 overall? No way. There are limits to their stupidity.

Very true, but they did take an acquaintance of mine with the 7th pick overall, which was very surprising..