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Williams: Answers to the important questions


(Defensive end Mario Williams is considered one of the top prospects in the 2006 NFL Draft. As a junior at North Carolina State, Williams helped lead the Wolfpack to a 7-5 record and a shutout bowl victory over South Florida. Williams' 14½ sacks and 24 tackles for loss propelled N.C. State to a No. 8 national ranking in total defense. NFL.com brings you updates from Williams as he approaches the draft.)

This is a special diary entry where Mario Williams answered fan e-mails that have been sent in the past couple of weeks. Williams took time out to share his insights from a sampling of the best questions sent in.

(March 16, 2006) -- Thanks to everyone who e-mailed in. There were many good questions, but I also got a lot of questions about where I think I will be drafted, and if I am drafted by Green Bay, what it would be like to play there. If I were to go to Green Bay, I would be honored and privileged to be a part of the Packers and be an impact player; do my best. If I go there, I'm going to give it my all. But I have to be diplomatic because I don't know where I'm going to go. I will be more than happy to play for any team that takes me. Nothing is settled until the draft.

How important is tradition and rivalry in football to you?
-- Patty B., Wisconsin

It's really important. You have to be up for every game, but when it's a rivalry, there's a little more punch to it. There's a little more excitement. It counts a whole lot more for bragging rights. If a rivalry is right down the street you don't want to lose to them. I think everyone has a rival, whether it's a player or a team.

What do you include in your workout that gives you such great speed, strength, quickness and jumping ability? It's amazing that someone almost 300 pounds has a plus-40-inch vertical.
-- Sam W., Roswell, Ga.

I was blessed. That's basically all I can say. I never really ran 40s trying to get faster. I was just always fast, I could always jump, I could always lift a lot. I work hard, but I believe God-given ability will help you excel in anything you do.


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