Tuesday, July 23, 1996

New Oilers Receiver Wants More Action

By MICHAEL A. LUTZ
AP Sports Writer

SAN ANTONIO (AP) - Willie Davis jokingly expresses hope he remembers how to catch passes.
Davis didn't get as many opportunities as he would have liked for the Kansas City Chiefs last season. Now that he's shifted to the Houston Oilers, Davis anticipates playing a larger role.

"Hopefully, I'll get more than one or two passes thrown to me per game," Davis said. "It's really hard to get into a rhythm when you're looking to the sidelines, wondering when they're going to bring in another receiver."

Davis didn't like the rotating system used by the Chiefs last season.

"It's going to be better cause the Oilers won't rotate as much as Kansas City," he said. "I'll catch more balls and contribute more to the offense."

Davis led the team in receiving in each of his four seasons with the Chiefs, including last season with 33 catches for 527 yards and five touchdowns.

"He has great speed and we can utilize that and his ability to run routes," receivers coach Les Steckl said. "He's also willing to join us as a group of blockers so he'll be a complete package for us."
Davis joins Chris Sanders to give the Oilers another speed receiver on the outside.

"We've got two great speed guys on the outside and big, strong, intelligent route runners on the inside," Steckl said. "We have definitely upgraded our receivers corps this season. We have more speed."

Davis is anxious to work with both Oilers quarterbacks, Chris Chandler and Steve McNair.
"It's a good situation to have a good starting quarterback and to be able to come in with a backup that's just as good as the starter," Davis said. "You don't drop off when Steve comes into the game.
"They can't just get Chris out of the game and have a guy come in who can't play."

And, Davis believes the receivers will be able to do their part.

"I've got a little speed to go with Chris on the opposite side," Davis said. "With me and the rest of the receivers we have a quality receiving corps."

Sanders is happy to have Davis on board.

"He's got more than a little speed; he's got a lot," Sanders said. "It's going to be fun."