Post by prossman on Feb 21, 2009 6:22:01 GMT -7
FWST: Mac Engle: Dallas Cowboys safety (linebacker?) Roy Williams’ future still in do
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dallas Cowboys safety (linebacker?) Roy Williams’ future still in doubt
By MAC ENGEL
tengel@star-telegram.com
INDIANAPOLIS — Before the start of the 2008 season, the Dallas Cowboys had come to the following conclusion about safety Roy Williams: He was either going to show dramatic improvement, or he was going to be cut after the season.
Showing dramatic improvement, however, was logistically impossible after he broke his arm and played in just three games.
He has told KXAS/Channel 5 that he would re-do his contract to stay. But sources said Williams’ return is not about money. He already has the money — mostly in the form of the $11.1 million signing bonus before the start of the ’06 season.
The decision to keep Williams has come down to whether the team feels he can help, either as a safety, which is a position of need for the Cowboys, or as a linebacker, which could be a reach.
Once one of the game’s most feared hitters, the evolution of offenses coupled with his average pass-coverage skills have put the former Pro Bowler in a precarious position.
The Cowboys have targeted safety as a position of need this off-season, and specifically this draft.
As is the case with most NFL teams these days, the strong safety position has evolved into more about pass coverage than run support.
"I personally believe it’s changed quite a bit; we used to look for that strong safety, the tough hombre," Atlanta Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said. "Now, ideally we’d like to get to a situation to where we have interchangeable safeties. It offers a lot of variety in your coverages and it keeps the offenses guessing."
Since his college days at Oklahoma to his first three years with the Cowboys, Williams created his reputation for his ability to play near the line, and intimidating receivers by hitting them so hard they were scared to get too close. Never, either as a college player or as a Cowboy, was he known as a "great cover guy."
But with the evolution of the passing game, "great cover guys" are in far greater demand.
"It’s the change in the pro offenses. Instead of having that big run-stopper, you have to have a guy who can stop the run but drop into coverage," Pittsburgh Steelers director of player personnel Doug Whaley said.
Williams has said this particular 3-4 scheme does not suit him, and that he prefers to be in a 4-3, which is what he was in the first three years of his pro career. The comments irritated several members of the Cowboys’ staff, who just aren’t sure where or if he fits.
They also know, however, he was better than the alternatives — Pat Watkins, Alan Ball and Keith Davis — who replaced him after his injury.
As far as the draft, the Cowboys like Utah defensive back Sean Smith, who is listed as a corner but can play both positions. But will he be on the board when the Cowboys pick at No. 51 overall?
Williams said he’d be willing to play linebacker. Listed at 6 feet and 220 pounds, he would be a small linebacker, but his size might be better suited for that position.
"I’ve seen it happen productively the other ways — Carnell Lake and Darren Woodson who made the transition," Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said. "[Former Cowboys linebacker Dexter] Coakley might have been the only guy that was a safety and moved to linebacker in the NFL.
"In Roy’s case, you’re talking about a guy who is almost 240 pounds and a tremendous football player. Great speed. Great lower body and hips, and if he feels like he could do that, he probably could. I haven’t seen where it’s occurred like that, but you never know."
The Cowboys don’t, and they don’t know whether they’re going to keep Roy Williams again for another shot to show dramatic improvement.
Mac Engel, 817-390-7760
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dallas Cowboys safety (linebacker?) Roy Williams’ future still in doubt
By MAC ENGEL
tengel@star-telegram.com
INDIANAPOLIS — Before the start of the 2008 season, the Dallas Cowboys had come to the following conclusion about safety Roy Williams: He was either going to show dramatic improvement, or he was going to be cut after the season.
Showing dramatic improvement, however, was logistically impossible after he broke his arm and played in just three games.
He has told KXAS/Channel 5 that he would re-do his contract to stay. But sources said Williams’ return is not about money. He already has the money — mostly in the form of the $11.1 million signing bonus before the start of the ’06 season.
The decision to keep Williams has come down to whether the team feels he can help, either as a safety, which is a position of need for the Cowboys, or as a linebacker, which could be a reach.
Once one of the game’s most feared hitters, the evolution of offenses coupled with his average pass-coverage skills have put the former Pro Bowler in a precarious position.
The Cowboys have targeted safety as a position of need this off-season, and specifically this draft.
As is the case with most NFL teams these days, the strong safety position has evolved into more about pass coverage than run support.
"I personally believe it’s changed quite a bit; we used to look for that strong safety, the tough hombre," Atlanta Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said. "Now, ideally we’d like to get to a situation to where we have interchangeable safeties. It offers a lot of variety in your coverages and it keeps the offenses guessing."
Since his college days at Oklahoma to his first three years with the Cowboys, Williams created his reputation for his ability to play near the line, and intimidating receivers by hitting them so hard they were scared to get too close. Never, either as a college player or as a Cowboy, was he known as a "great cover guy."
But with the evolution of the passing game, "great cover guys" are in far greater demand.
"It’s the change in the pro offenses. Instead of having that big run-stopper, you have to have a guy who can stop the run but drop into coverage," Pittsburgh Steelers director of player personnel Doug Whaley said.
Williams has said this particular 3-4 scheme does not suit him, and that he prefers to be in a 4-3, which is what he was in the first three years of his pro career. The comments irritated several members of the Cowboys’ staff, who just aren’t sure where or if he fits.
They also know, however, he was better than the alternatives — Pat Watkins, Alan Ball and Keith Davis — who replaced him after his injury.
As far as the draft, the Cowboys like Utah defensive back Sean Smith, who is listed as a corner but can play both positions. But will he be on the board when the Cowboys pick at No. 51 overall?
Williams said he’d be willing to play linebacker. Listed at 6 feet and 220 pounds, he would be a small linebacker, but his size might be better suited for that position.
"I’ve seen it happen productively the other ways — Carnell Lake and Darren Woodson who made the transition," Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said. "[Former Cowboys linebacker Dexter] Coakley might have been the only guy that was a safety and moved to linebacker in the NFL.
"In Roy’s case, you’re talking about a guy who is almost 240 pounds and a tremendous football player. Great speed. Great lower body and hips, and if he feels like he could do that, he probably could. I haven’t seen where it’s occurred like that, but you never know."
The Cowboys don’t, and they don’t know whether they’re going to keep Roy Williams again for another shot to show dramatic improvement.
Mac Engel, 817-390-7760