Sunday, January 21, 2007

Is Roy Williams a fraud as a four-time Pro Bowl player?

USATODAY Inside Slant

Newman is the only player in the secondary who can be proud of his play in 2006, which is good for him since he is heading into the final year of his contract. He should have made the Pro Bowl, allowing only two touchdown receptions after allowing none the year before. Henry was injured much of the year and when he wasn't he was victimized for big plays or big penalties. He certainly hasn't been worth the $11 million in guaranteed money the Cowboys gave him two years ago. However, he could be the team's answer at free safety where he could be moved next season because of the continued failure to find someone to play opposite Williams at strong safety. Watkins, a rookie fifth-round pick, was not up to the task of making up for Williams' deficiencies as a pass defender because he had too many of his own. And either Williams is a fraud as a four-time Pro Bowl player or the Cowboys are just not using him correctly to take advantage of his strengths and hide his deficiencies. He led the Cowboys in takeaways in 2006, but he gave up just as many or more big plays as a pass defender to offset his production.