Williams' play a big hit in Dallas
Cowboys' popular safety rapidly becoming one of NFL's top defensive stars
By Bob Buttitta, bbuttitta@venturacountystar.com
August 4, 2006
Roy Williams doesn't do much talking on or off the football field, preferring instead to let his actions speak. On the field, those actions often have a devastating impact on opposing players.
Williams is a hitting machine, a linebacker locked in a safety's body. In 2005 he tied for the team lead in forced fumbles, was second in tackles with 82 and tied for third on the club with three interceptions. Williams was one of only three defensive backs (Brian Dawkins and Al Harris were the others) in the NFL to record more than two sacks and two interceptions last season.
Off the field, Williams' actions show him to be a man of supreme faith, one who regularly wears T-shirts from his church under his practice jersey. He's also one of the few players who takes time each and every day at training camp to sign autographs. And not just a few. Williams usually spends a good 10 to 15 minutes per day signing the various pictures and posters of himself Cowboys fans bring for him to autograph.
Despite having big-name teammates like Drew Bledsoe, Terry Glenn, Flozell Adams and Terrell Owens, Williams is the current and future face of the Dallas Cowboys.
Team owner Jerry Jones erased any doubt of that on Wednesday morning when the Cowboys locked up Williams by signing him to a four-year contract extension through 2010 worth $25.2 million.
"Roy is probably the second most visible player on this team, behind Terrell (Owens)," Jones said while announcing the extension. "He brings leadership to the team and and what he brings to the game is being one of the most physical players in the NFL."
Coming out of Oklahoma, Williams was regarded as one of the top safety prospects to hit the league in decades.
Despite the hype, Williams has come in and made an even bigger impression. He has started every game since his rookie season, earning Pro Bowl recognition in the previous three seasons. He has returned three of his 12 career interceptions for touchdowns, leaving him one short of the club record held by Dennis Thurman and Dexter Coakley.
While he's happy to be considered one of the top players at his position in the NFL, Williams' main focus is on his team and helping Dallas reclaim its place among the game's elite teams.
When asked about his goals for this season, Williams talks about the Cowboys' defense becoming the top-ranked unit in football every year.
"That is a personal level because what the defense does as a whole is a reflection of what we are," Williams said. "That's what I thrive for. We still have work to do. I think we have a lot of upside, but we're not going to toot our own horn."
Dallas coach Bill Parcells isn't a coach who throws praise around lightly. But he doesn't hesitate in Williams' case.
Parcells said during his time in Dallas he's seen Williams mature into a team leader and become a player who doesn't simply rely on his physical gifts.
"His awareness of the game is better," Parcells said. "His vision on the field is better. I just think he's a better player with a better working knowledge of what's going on.
"He's a good kid. He really is. He has a smile on his face all the time and Sunday he tries to win."
One area Parcells believes Williams has greatly improved is his conditioning. The coach said Williams used to be a player who battled a bit with weight, but he's come to understand about the need for proper nutrition and weight training.
"I feel good because I am shape," Williams said. " The offseason workouts with (strength and conditioning coach) Joe Juraszek are really paying off. We're flying around because we're hungry. We feel we have a lot to prove this year.
"I like what I have seen so far. We're seeing a lot of guys flying to the ball. But we have to keep working because there's a long way to go."
By Bob Buttitta, bbuttitta@venturacountystar.com
August 4, 2006
Roy Williams doesn't do much talking on or off the football field, preferring instead to let his actions speak. On the field, those actions often have a devastating impact on opposing players.
Williams is a hitting machine, a linebacker locked in a safety's body. In 2005 he tied for the team lead in forced fumbles, was second in tackles with 82 and tied for third on the club with three interceptions. Williams was one of only three defensive backs (Brian Dawkins and Al Harris were the others) in the NFL to record more than two sacks and two interceptions last season.
Off the field, Williams' actions show him to be a man of supreme faith, one who regularly wears T-shirts from his church under his practice jersey. He's also one of the few players who takes time each and every day at training camp to sign autographs. And not just a few. Williams usually spends a good 10 to 15 minutes per day signing the various pictures and posters of himself Cowboys fans bring for him to autograph.
Despite having big-name teammates like Drew Bledsoe, Terry Glenn, Flozell Adams and Terrell Owens, Williams is the current and future face of the Dallas Cowboys.
Team owner Jerry Jones erased any doubt of that on Wednesday morning when the Cowboys locked up Williams by signing him to a four-year contract extension through 2010 worth $25.2 million.
"Roy is probably the second most visible player on this team, behind Terrell (Owens)," Jones said while announcing the extension. "He brings leadership to the team and and what he brings to the game is being one of the most physical players in the NFL."
Coming out of Oklahoma, Williams was regarded as one of the top safety prospects to hit the league in decades.
Despite the hype, Williams has come in and made an even bigger impression. He has started every game since his rookie season, earning Pro Bowl recognition in the previous three seasons. He has returned three of his 12 career interceptions for touchdowns, leaving him one short of the club record held by Dennis Thurman and Dexter Coakley.
While he's happy to be considered one of the top players at his position in the NFL, Williams' main focus is on his team and helping Dallas reclaim its place among the game's elite teams.
When asked about his goals for this season, Williams talks about the Cowboys' defense becoming the top-ranked unit in football every year.
"That is a personal level because what the defense does as a whole is a reflection of what we are," Williams said. "That's what I thrive for. We still have work to do. I think we have a lot of upside, but we're not going to toot our own horn."
Dallas coach Bill Parcells isn't a coach who throws praise around lightly. But he doesn't hesitate in Williams' case.
Parcells said during his time in Dallas he's seen Williams mature into a team leader and become a player who doesn't simply rely on his physical gifts.
"His awareness of the game is better," Parcells said. "His vision on the field is better. I just think he's a better player with a better working knowledge of what's going on.
"He's a good kid. He really is. He has a smile on his face all the time and Sunday he tries to win."
One area Parcells believes Williams has greatly improved is his conditioning. The coach said Williams used to be a player who battled a bit with weight, but he's come to understand about the need for proper nutrition and weight training.
"I feel good because I am shape," Williams said. " The offseason workouts with (strength and conditioning coach) Joe Juraszek are really paying off. We're flying around because we're hungry. We feel we have a lot to prove this year.
"I like what I have seen so far. We're seeing a lot of guys flying to the ball. But we have to keep working because there's a long way to go."
posted by The Gryphon at 6:54 PM
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