Williams welcomes new position

Katherine K. Gardiner Arizona Daily Wildcat Senior captain Rodney Williams (3) talks with quarterback Keith Smith off to the side at yesterday's practice. Williams is now the back-up quarterback since Smith cannot practice from a sprained muscle in his right shoulder.

With quarterback Keith Smith sidelined with a strained muscle in his right shoulder, Williams is now the backup quarterback behind redshirt freshman Ortege Jenkins.

"Rodney did a nice job the other night (at practice)," Tomey said. "You are better off with an experienced football player that has poise and confidence and let him go in and do what he can do than somebody that has never played."

In last night's practice, Williams stayed at wide receiver during offensive and team drills, but took snaps under center and threw several passes afterward.

"Rodney is a very professional level athlete," said offensive coordinator Homer Smith about one of his captains. "He is handling this situation like a real trooper, he ran routes all day so (Jenkins) could get in a good day. But he has asked to get the chance to be prepared and (today) we will spend a lot of time with him."

Williams looked good last night. He throws a tight spiral and has good accuracy. His throws during a fade route drill were as good or better than Jenkins, third-stringer Nick Fluery and redshirt freshman Peter Hanson.

"He has a tremendous arm," Smith said. "I have seen him throw a lot, during summers, after practices and for different drills."

Not bad for a guy that has not played quarterback since 1993. Four years. It must be like riding a bike.

"Not since '93, my first game in junior college," Williams replied when asked when the last time he took a snap in a game.

So, when did he make the switch to wide receiver?

"My second game of '93."

Due to the fact that Williams wanted to receive punts and kickoffs as well as play quarterback, his Pierce Junior College coach in Los Angeles convinced him to play wide receiver. It was not a move Williams wanted to make, but does not second guess his decision to follow his coach's advice.

"I am glad that I did it," Williams said. "If I hadn't switched, I probably wouldn't have been here."

Smith said that he is well aware of Williams speed, but if he did get into the game things wouldn't change in the offense.

"We haven't practiced the option yet, if that is what you are getting at," he said. "We might work on it (today), but there is not going to be any major differences with him in there."

Fluery, who walked-on this year, said he was impressed with Williams capabilities at quarterback.

"He knows a lot of the offense already," he said. "He's a great athlete.

"I don't think fans should be worried at all about our quarterback situation. With my abilities and Rodney backing up O.J. we should be fine."

Williams agrees.

"I don't know the footwork for handoffs and things like that," Williams said. "But I know the plays from being a starter."

Whether it be pulling in touchdowns or firing the pass into the end zone, Williams just wants Arizona chalk up another 'W'.

"They asked me and I accepted," Williams said. "I want to help the team win."