Rams News

Rams defend drafting of Hakim
04/19 08:45 PM

By Jim Thomas
Of the Post-Dispatch Staff
Day 2 of the NFL draft usually is the domain of players who have holes in their game, or in their off-the-field life.
The latter is the case for wide receiver Az-Zahir Hakim of San Diego State, whom the Rams selected in the fourth round Sunday with the No. 96 overall pick.
On the field, Hakim is a tiny package of dynamite.
``He's as good as anybody I've had at any level, including my stays at Buffalo, the Chargers and the Rams,'' said San Diego State head coach Ted Tollner, a former Rams assistant. ``And that's Andre Reed, and Anthony Miller and Henry Ellard.''
But Hakim's stay at San Diego State was marred by an August 1997 arrest on suspicion of gang rape. Two other San Diego State football players were arrested on the same complaints made by an 18-year-old woman. All three players were held for two days on $1 million bail. But they were released, and no charges were filed.
According to published reports at the time, there were indications of a botched investigation by police authorities. DNA evidence found at the scene did not match two of the three athletes. Police did not disclose which two of the three.
In a conference call with reporters in St. Louis, Hakim was unusually frank when asked about the incident.
``I think two guys from LA -- my roommate's friends -- had sex with the girl,'' Hakim said. ``And they took it to another level, I guess. . . . They cut her hair or something. They said they didn't rape her or anything like that, but I was feeling pretty bad because it was at my household.''
Hakim said he had no involvement in the incident and did not witness it.
``But she decided to press charges on everybody in the household,'' Hakim said. ``I took a polygraph test to get my name out of that situation. . . . There was no evidence at all. It was like I was there, but I wasn't there. You know what I'm saying? I was just at the house at that time.''
During the period leading up to the draft, Vermeil let it be known on several occasions that the Rams would not have Marshall wide receiver Randy Moss on their draft board because of his repeated off-the-field problems. On Saturday, after the team drafted Nebraska defensive end Grant Wistrom and Illinois running back Robert Holcombe, Vermeil stressed what solid citizens they were, and how important it was to have players who would not ``embarrass'' the Rams or St. Louis with any off-the-field problems.
So he was on the defensive Sunday when asked about taking Hakim. During a television interview, Vermeil snapped at ESPN anchor Mike Tirico when Tirico wondered how Vermeil could take Moss off his draft board but then select Hakim.
``Mike, it sounds like you've already convicted him,'' Vermeil said. ``Ask Ron Jaworski if I would draft a rapist.''
Jaworski, who played quarterback for Vermeil in Philadelphia, was part of ESPN's draft coverage team.
Earlier, Vermeil told reporters at Rams Park that Hakim ``just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. We believe that he is not a problem guy.''
Vermeil said the only other ``blemish'' on Hakim's record, in security checks done by both the Rams and the National Football League, was one traffic ticket.
``Having a coach that was with him for four years, that's been with him on the field every day, that gives me real confidence,'' Vermeil said.
That was a reference to assistant coach Ed White, who was offensive line coach at San Diego State before joining the Rams staff this offseason.
``As a person, he's a great kid,'' White said. ``He was totally accountable his entire four years at San Diego State. Never missed a meeting, never was late to anything.
``As a football player, he is extremely exceptional. I've been on a lot of football fields, and not seen too many guys who can do what Az Hakim can.''
Hakim, who won't turn 21 until June, caught 57 passes for 1,022 yards for the Aztecs in 1995. He missed part of the '96 season with a fractured bone in his left leg. He played in only eight games in 1997 because of a hamstring injury, catching 37 passes for 595 yards.
Over his college career, Hakim caught 21 touchdown passes and averaged 17.8 yards a catch -- which is testament to his big-play ability. He also returns kickoffs and punts.
``He has very good run-after-the-catch ability,'' Vermeil said. ``He bounces off people, he has great balance, and he has a good stutter-step. He can make you miss in a close area.''
Vermeil said Hakim first caught his eye during workouts at the Senior Bowl all-star game in January.

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