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Ht : 6-3-5/8 Wt : 313, 40 time 5.21
Notes : Entered Arkansas St as a LB but moved to the DL early in his career, where he became a 3&1/2 year starter. Was hampered by an ankle injury as a senior and slid to the 6th rd (179 overall) of the 2004 draft. Saw backup action in 12 games in '04, seeing action all along the front at both ends and tackle spots, finishing with 24 tackles and a sack. Also made 4 special teams tackles. Played in 12 games again in '05, missing 4 games with a pulled calf muscle in November, and finished with 34 tackles and 2 sacks. Really emerged in his third season, entering the starting lineup for the final 11 games after notching 2 sacks vs. Detroit, finishing with 7 on the seaon from the inside, along with a career best 47 tackles and 3 batted balls. Has started 8 of 15 games in '07 and has recorded 32 tackles, 7 sacks, 3 forced fumbles and an interception. Is set to hit the unrestricted FA market in the spring.
Positives : Has a thick trunk and a naturally strong base. Fine instincts. Feels pressure, reads flow and gets over the top of blockers. Adequate hand use to rip off blockers. Can stack the corner and hold the point. Strong and understands how to play with leverage (even if he does not always do it.) Shows a nice spin move.
Negatives : Does not play with great balance and spends more time on the ground than he should. Will let his pads rise and can get knocked back, even flattened. Not quick, sudden or very explosive off the ball. Shows little twitch and is too often the last to move at the snap. Not much of a finisher. Short stepper. Plays to the level of competition. Gets stonewalled if he does not win at the snap. Questionable stamina.
Summary : On a strong, two gapping defensive line that protects its linebackers and allows them to roam free, Williams brings versatility to any spot. A serviceable starter who gets the job done in a rotation, Williams shows some big time flashes but is not consistent and is not the pass rusher that his sack totals would suggest he is. A big banger who is slippery enough to stay alive and produce, but much of his production comes as a result of the speed coming off the edge by DE's and LB's, and ballcarriers being flushed back to him. His numbers may be better than Cullen Jenkins', but Jenkins is far more disruptive, especially when he moves inside as nickel rusher, and draws attention that frees up Wiliams to make plays.
Notes : Entered Arkansas St as a LB but moved to the DL early in his career, where he became a 3&1/2 year starter. Was hampered by an ankle injury as a senior and slid to the 6th rd (179 overall) of the 2004 draft. Saw backup action in 12 games in '04, seeing action all along the front at both ends and tackle spots, finishing with 24 tackles and a sack. Also made 4 special teams tackles. Played in 12 games again in '05, missing 4 games with a pulled calf muscle in November, and finished with 34 tackles and 2 sacks. Really emerged in his third season, entering the starting lineup for the final 11 games after notching 2 sacks vs. Detroit, finishing with 7 on the seaon from the inside, along with a career best 47 tackles and 3 batted balls. Has started 8 of 15 games in '07 and has recorded 32 tackles, 7 sacks, 3 forced fumbles and an interception. Is set to hit the unrestricted FA market in the spring.
Positives : Has a thick trunk and a naturally strong base. Fine instincts. Feels pressure, reads flow and gets over the top of blockers. Adequate hand use to rip off blockers. Can stack the corner and hold the point. Strong and understands how to play with leverage (even if he does not always do it.) Shows a nice spin move.
Negatives : Does not play with great balance and spends more time on the ground than he should. Will let his pads rise and can get knocked back, even flattened. Not quick, sudden or very explosive off the ball. Shows little twitch and is too often the last to move at the snap. Not much of a finisher. Short stepper. Plays to the level of competition. Gets stonewalled if he does not win at the snap. Questionable stamina.
Summary : On a strong, two gapping defensive line that protects its linebackers and allows them to roam free, Williams brings versatility to any spot. A serviceable starter who gets the job done in a rotation, Williams shows some big time flashes but is not consistent and is not the pass rusher that his sack totals would suggest he is. A big banger who is slippery enough to stay alive and produce, but much of his production comes as a result of the speed coming off the edge by DE's and LB's, and ballcarriers being flushed back to him. His numbers may be better than Cullen Jenkins', but Jenkins is far more disruptive, especially when he moves inside as nickel rusher, and draws attention that frees up Wiliams to make plays.
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