On Air
Getting to Know ...
CHRIS WILLIAMS
(posted June 3, 2009)
After a stellar run at Rio Rancho High and New Mexico State, Chris Williams is trying to start his NFL career as an undrafted free agent with the Miami Dolphins.
The speedster -- he once ran a 40-yard dash in 4.28 seconds -- chatted with The Team earlier this week after a workout with the Dolphins. He talked about the transition to the NFL, giving up pork chops (which he used to scarf daily), what it might take for NMSU to reach a bowl game and 
why he thinks the 40-yard dash is over-rated.
THE TEAM: How has training camp gone for you?
CHRIS WILLIAMS: It's going good so far. Just trying to learn everything and get better.
THE TEAM: What kind of impression do you feel your leaving on Dolphins coaches?
WILLIAMS: I'm not really sure to tell you the truth. I'm just trying to learn everything and do my job as fast as I can. That way they can see that I got some speed.
THE TEAM: What's the toughest adjustment from college to the NFL?
WILLIAMS: There's a lot of knowledge that you have to learn. It's a lot of plays and just the overall talent of the players. It's professional now, so everybody's good.
THE TEAM: How many pork chops have you eaten today?
WILLIAMS: (Laughs). Nah, none. I'm staying away from the pork chops, man. Just trying to eat right and get the weight up.
THE TEAM: Has (Dolphins VP) Bill Parcells said much to you?
WILLIAMS: Just to keep doing what I'm doing and keep getting better. That's the name of the game here, how good can you get and how good can you get there.
THE TEAM: Who is your most helpful teammate?
WILLIAMS: All of them in all honesty. Our group is real close knit. We take care of each other. It's competition but they're helping us out. They want the same thing we want, this team to be as good as it can be.
THE TEAM: When was the last time you lost a race?
WILLIAMS: I don't know. It's been a while. I don't even remember to tell you the truth.
THE TEAM: Aside from speed, how do you make yourself standout as one of 11 Dolphins receivers on the roster right now?
WILLIAMS: Just trying to do everything right all the time, trying to be the most consistent guy out there and show them I can get the job done.
THE TEAM: Have you had a wow-this-is-the-NFL moment?
WILLIAMS: Not especially. It's more like, you're here now. You see the guys that have been in the league like 10, 11, 13 years and you realize they're just normal guys like everybody else. They've just been in it longer. They just know their job and what to do. That's the biggest thing. ... It's not like, wow this the welcome-to-the-NFL moment. You just gotta do what you gotta do.
THE TEAM: How often do people doubt your 40 time?
WILLIAMS: I couldn't even tell you, man. I ran what I ran and that's it. The 40 is really an over-rated aspect of it. There's a lot of guys with fast 40s that get on the field and they don't play fast. It's about how fast you can move on the field.
THE TEAM: When was the last time you and Marcus played one-on-one?
WILLIAMS: Ooh man, it's been a while. I mess around with him every now and then, but we haven't had a one-on-one game for a while. He's getting pretty good and I haven't played basketball in a while. I don't know if I want to touch that.
THE TEAM: Magic or Lakers to win the Finals?
WILLIAMS: I think Orlando has a very good shot and I think people are under-rating them. They have a real good shot to win that series.
THE TEAM: Fill in the blank. Nothing annoys me more than ...
WILLIAMS: Inconsistency.
THE TEAM: What TV show do you have to see?
WILLIAMS: I like to watch some of the comedies. Family Guy. Stuff that keeps you entertained and you could laugh about.
THE TEAM: Fill in the blank. I yell at the TV when ...
WILLIAMS: Somebody makes a bonehead play or the Lakers win.
THE TEAM: Any memories from the first organized football game you played?
WILLIAMS: I was on defense and I got clipped. I fell down then I ran down the guy on the 3-yard line. I thought they scored, but then I saw the flag.
THE TEAM: What will it take to get NMSU to a bowl game?
WILLIAMS: I'm not sure. I think they got a good coach now. I've met with him and talked to him. I think he's gonna get those guys to play as hard as they can and do it the right way. The thing is they're going to have to get a coach that wants to be there and wants to see that program succeed. That'll be the key determination when they make a bowl game.
THE TEAM: Where do you see yourself in the NFL?
WILLIAMS: Hopefully on the Miami Dolphins. I just want to go out there and help this team the best I can. However they choose to use me or whatever they want me to do, I'm fine with that. I'll do it to the best of my ability.
THE TEAM: Having been in Las Cruces for four years, now in Florida, what do you miss most about Rio Rancho?
WILLIAMS: Family life. Being at home with my mom and dad and brother.
THE TEAM: Got any endzone celebrations planned for your first NFL touchdown?
WILLIAMS: No, no, no, man. If I get to the endzone, I'm going to take the ball with me, that's probably it. I don't want to draw any more attention than there already is.
-- As told to James Staley
