PRINT THIS PAGE | E-MAIL THIS PAGE

Sunday, April 20, 1997

Texas' Bryant Westbrook Lions' fifth overall draft pick

By HARRY ATKINS

AP Sports Writer

PONTIAC, Mich. (AP) - Coach Bobby Ross took the first step toward patching up Detroit's defense on Saturday by taking Texas cornerback Bryant Westbrook with the fifth overall pick in the NFL draft.

"There was a lot of discussion about us moving up," said Ross, who replaced Wayne Fontes, fired after a 5-11 season in 1996. "But we were very comfortable if we could get this player."

Westbrook, a 5-foot-11, 199-pounder, was the second defensive back drafted. With the third overall pick, the Seattle Seahawks took Ohio State cornerback Shawn Springs, whom the Lions also coveted.

"Seattle got a great player, and I think we did, too," Ross said. "We got a player I felt very comfortable about from Day 1."

During a teleconference at the Silverdome, Westbrook laughed when asked where being a top draft pick ranked in his life.

"This ranks right up there with passing the SAT to get into college," he said. "This makes you say, 'Whew!' "

Ross said Westbrook, a hard-hitter, would probably be on the field almost all the time with the Lions' defense. Westbrook excels in pass coverage and protecting against the run.

"He is a very loose-hipped individual," Ross said. "He can turn on a dime. He's also one of the biggest-hitting defensive backs I've seen. He's a corner who hits like a safety."

There were reports in the days before the draft that Westbrook may have had a neck injury. Ron Hughes, the Lions' player personnel director, dismissed those reports.

"There's no way we'd draft a guy who was injured," Hughes said.

Westbrook, too, denied he had hurt his neck. His only injury came when he hurt his knee in his sophomore season, he said.

Coincidentally, one of Westbrook's high school teammates in El Camino, Calif., also was a high draft pick. Atlanta took defensive back Michael Booker of Nebraska at No. 11 overall.

Westbrook and Booker may soon be on the field together again, but as opponents: The Falcons open the season in Detroit.

Westbrook was recently timed at 4.37 seconds in the 40-yard dash. In 42 games with Texas, he allowed just three touchdown passes.

Westbrook, the first senior chosen in the draft Saturday, started at left corner for the Longhorns. But Ross said he would decide which side he would play for the Lions during a minicamp scheduled for next weekend.

"I'm not worried about him handling pressure," Ross said. "He's been in a big-pressure program at Texas. He'll come in and start for this team." Send a Letter to the Editor about This Story | Start or Join A Discussion about This Story
Send the URL (Address) of This Story to A Friend: