Warren Sets Aside Crash, Prepares To Make Big Splash

Chris Warren has put the horrible car accident of Dec. 1 behind him, the crash that left teammate Mike Frier paralyzed and temporarily sullied Warren’s trouble-free reputation.

Initially, police said Warren was driving the car that smashed into a utility pole on a dark, rainy night near the Seattle Seahawks’ headquarters.

After a long investigation, the King County Prosecutor’s office said officially Jan. 26 that Lamar Smith was driving, not Warren. Smith was charged with one count of vehicular assault.

In contrast to the tragedy that cost Frier his football career and the use of his legs, the 28-year-old Warren is at the top of his profession.

He was the AFC rushing champion last season and played in the Pro Bowl for the second straight year. He was a star in the Honolulu game, too. The Seahawks’ fourthround draft choice in 1990 from Ferrum, Va., has turned himself from an unknown into one of the NFL’s premier running backs.

In 1995, Warren will play under his third new head coach in six seasons. Dennis Erickson, from the University of Miami, has replaced Tom Flores, who replaced Chuck Knox here in 1992.

Erickson has brought a new offense from Florida back to the Northwest, where he once coached Washington State.

“I’ve never had a running back this big or this mobile,” Erickson said of the 6-foot-2, 226-pound Warren.

“It’s a lot different. It’s more of a wideopen, fast-break offense,” Warren said of Erickson’s Miami-style plan.

Warren’s career flourished in three seasons under Flores after carrying the ball 17 times in his first two NFL years under Knox. He rushed for 1,017 yards in ‘92, 1,072 in ‘93 and a franchise-record 1,545 yards last season.

Despite Warren’s individual success, the Seahawks did not flourish, going 2-14, 6-10 and 6-10. The 14-34 record and half-empty Kingdome cost Flores his job.

It wasn’t Warren’s fault. Under Flores’ offense, Warren was the star of a run-first style.

Warren succeeded despite defenses that were crowded up on the line of scrimmage to stop him.

It will be different under Erickson. The Seahawks will throw first and run second with the new coach. Many of the passes will be in Warren’s direction.

Warren won’t talk about the Dec. 1 car accident.

He will talk about his expectations for the ‘95 season.

Warren carried the ball a career-most 333 times last year, an average of almost 21 carries a game and two shy of the franchise record, and caught a career-high 41 passes for 323 more yards.

Warren doesn’t expect to carry the ball that many times next season, but thinks he could make as many as 60 receptions.

In an effort to get more diversity in the Seahawks offense, Erickson will change Warren’s role slightly. But that won’t diminish Warren’s importance in Seattle. He’s still big, durable and fast.

Warren shrugs off the change in emphasis. Besides, he reasons, who’s it going to hurt if the Seahawks can be more successful?

“I’ll be able to save my body more,” he said. “So that’s fine with me.”

Talking about taking part in the second of three Erickson minicamps, Warren is looking forward to having an even better season in ‘95 than he did in ‘94.

“I had goals last season,” Warren said. “I reached them and exceeded them. I have more goals this year. I expect to get even better.”

Erickson said Warren is going to notice a difference in defenses when he runs the ball next season.

“There’s not going to be eight guys on the line every down to play the run against him,” Erickson said.

Warren showed his heart last season. Three days after the Dec. 1 accident, he played against Indianapolis in the Kingdome despite two broken ribs. He carried 23 times for 81 yards.

“I like him,” Erickson said. “Obviously, he’s the key to our offense, both running and passing.”