Friday, November 20, 1998

Charlie Williams jumpy about replacing Deion

By DENNE H. FREEMAN AP Sports Writer

IRVING, Texas (AP) - Deion Sanders limped by Charlie Williams' locker and started chanting, "It's on you, Charlie ... it's on you, Charlie."

Sanders laughed. The locker room erupted into roars. Charlie managed a nervous smile.

Williams is the replacement for Sanders at the Dallas Cowboys' right cornerback position on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks if Sanders' left big toe doesn't quit hurting.

Sanders had to leave last Sunday's game against Arizona with the painful injury, and the Cowboys almost blew a 28-0 lead with their top defender gone. The Cowboys (7-3) held on for a 35-28 win.

Williams was thrown into the fray and got beat on a touchdown pass. He hopes a week of practice with the first-team defense will better prepare him for the passing onslaught by Warren Moon and the Seahawks.

"I know I'm replacing the best cornerback in the NFL, but I feel I can get out there and compete," Williams said. "Everything kind of caught me off guard out there in Arizona. I was nervous, but now I have a whole week to prepare."

Sanders isn't expected to practice this week, and coach Chan Gailey will make a game-time decision on whether he will play. The Cowboys have Sanders listed as questionable.

"I think it's pretty obvious that Seattle will be coming after me if I'm in there," Williams said. "But I'm going to battle, you can bet on that."

The Cowboys are also hurting at the other cornerback position. Kevin Smith still has a sore shoulder. Smith separated the shoulder during the Arizona game, and trainers had to pop it into place.

Gailey was readying safety Kenny Wheaton for cornerback duty if needed.

Dallas is 6-0 in the NFC East, but 1-3 against the rest of the NFL. But the Cowboys are 4-1 against Seattle, including a 27-0 shutout in their last meeting with the Seahawks in 1992.

Dallas is 62-36 against the AFC in regular season games, the NFC's best mark.