The future of Conner Williams

[quickccc]

Assuming new draftee centerTyler Bad Azzz will be a very near future starting center for us, and McGovern returning from IR, to battle for starting LG role vs the other Conner,..Williams, i tend to wonder how that LG battle will actually turn out, and what will be the future of how Williams will make his
impact here - as a continuing starting LG or . a key back swing OT.

- Note how the Cowboys have not invested in a developmental OT in the NFL draft, nor sign up a
seasoned vet in the FA period.
That gives me the notion that the backup OT will come down to Williams or Brandon Knight.
(and please..no Mitch Hyatt... ugh ! )

- i've seen some here already giving McGovern the starting nod, but i'm not so fast with that. i believe that's something McGovern has to 'earn' . Prove he is ready to be inserted into the starting lineup, and deserving of it. Don't just hand it to him by default.

- Just what if Williams proves to be the better player in camp to remain the LG ?

-Having his past ability to play LT well as Williams did in college at UT, as well as having Mac as a reserve could allow us to swing Williams out as a sub-back up to Tyron Smith "when" he gets injured
and out again.
and while Williams subs for the backup LT role, we could insert the Mac in as a sub LG.
Given his skill set, and draft status, Mac should be able to handle the interior backup OG role.

- i know a lot of people are down on Williams, but we need to keep him on as long as possible as
we never know if/when Tyrone may surprisingly pull a Travis Fredrick and suddenly retire.
Should that ever happen, it would immediately open up the possibilities of Williams as the heir apparent.

 

[CowboyRoy]

Assuming new draftee centerTyler Bad Azzz will be a very near future starting center for us, and McGovern returning from IR, to battle for starting LG role vs the other Conner,..Williams, i tend to wonder how that LG battle will actually turn out, and what will be the future of how Williams will make his
impact here - as a continuing starting LG or . a key back swing OT.

- Note how the Cowboys have not invested in a developmental OT in the NFL draft, nor sign up a
seasoned vet in the FA period.
That gives me the notion that the backup OT will come down to Williams or Brandon Knight.
(and please..no Mitch Hyatt... ugh ! )

- i've seen some here already giving McGovern the starting nod, but i'm not so fast with that. i believe that's something McGovern has to 'earn' . Prove he is ready to be inserted into the starting lineup, and deserving of it. Don't just hand it to him by default.

- Just what if Williams proves to be the better player in camp to remain the LG ?

-Having his past ability to play LT well as Williams did in college at UT, as well as having Mac as a reserve could allow us to swing Williams out as a sub-back up to Tyron Smith "when" he gets injured
and out again.
and while Williams subs for the backup LT role, we could insert the Mac in as a sub LG.
Given his skill set, and draft status, Mac should be able to handle the interior backup OG role.

- i know a lot of people are down on Williams, but we need to keep him on as long as possible as
we never know if/when Tyrone may surprisingly pull a Travis Fredrick and suddenly retire.
Should that ever happen, it would immediately open up the possibilities of Williams as the heir apparent.

I think the line will be strongest if he is the backup all along the line.

McGovern wins the starting guard job and Biadasz wins the starting center job.

 

[johneric8]

I'm not down on williams at all, he is going to be great this season! He is doing things at a normal pace as far as growth.. Remember, this forum tried to run Dlaw out of town after two seasons as well... Chill..

 

[CowboyRoy]

I'm not down on williams at all, he is going to be great this season! He is doing things at a normal pace as far as growth.. Remember, this forum tried to run Dlaw out of town after two seasons as well... Chill..

Are you aware he blew out his knee last season?

 

[Kolemmitt]

I LOVE competition for people that have not proven themselves. We have two open spots, four/five potential candidates. Start with that.

But, ideally, if Biadasz and McGovern win the starting spots, then I agree, I think Williams makes an ideal swing tackle. If he does well in that role, then perhaps, he can take over for Smith in a couple of years.

 

[Stash]

Assuming new draftee centerTyler Bad Azzz will be a very near future starting center for us, and McGovern returning from IR, to battle for starting LG role vs the other Conner,..Williams, i tend to wonder how that LG battle will actually turn out, and what will be the future of how Williams will make his
impact here - as a continuing starting LG or . a key back swing OT.

- Note how the Cowboys have not invested in a developmental OT in the NFL draft, nor sign up a
seasoned vet in the FA period.
That gives me the notion that the backup OT will come down to Williams or Brandon Knight.
(and please..no Mitch Hyatt... ugh ! )

- i've seen some here already giving McGovern the starting nod, but i'm not so fast with that. i believe that's something McGovern has to 'earn' . Prove he is ready to be inserted into the starting lineup, and deserving of it. Don't just hand it to him by default.

- Just what if Williams proves to be the better player in camp to remain the LG ?

-Having his past ability to play LT well as Williams did in college at UT, as well as having Mac as a reserve could allow us to swing Williams out as a sub-back up to Tyron Smith "when" he gets injured
and out again.
and while Williams subs for the backup LT role, we could insert the Mac in as a sub LG.
Given his skill set, and draft status, Mac should be able to handle the interior backup OG role.

- i know a lot of people are down on Williams, but we need to keep him on as long as possible as
we never know if/when Tyrone may surprisingly pull a Travis Fredrick and suddenly retire.
Should that ever happen, it would immediately open up the possibilities of Williams as the heir apparent.

What I'd like to see the team do is have the young linemen getting some practice reps at several positions:

1. Williams on the left side, left guard and left tackle
2. McGovern at left guard and center
3. Biadasz strictly at center
4. Knight at right tackle and right guard
5. Hyatt strictly at left tackle (to see if there's anything there worth keeping)

Given how much they rest their veteran starters, there should be plenty of reps available for the young guys to learn.

 

[Fla Cowpoke]

If we have Looney, Williams and Knight as depth I will feel pretty good about the OL.

 

[fivetwos]

I said this in another post....

If Williams is going to be a tackle, they need to make that decision early on.

They cant have him compete at LG, lose, then tell him he is the backup LT, where he hasn't played since college; and/or the game day swing tackle, when I'm not sure he has ever played RT at any level.

 

[Javier]

A good backup

 

[Doomsday101]

I see Connor Williams as more of OT than a guard and have since the day Dallas drafted him. That is where he excelled at Texas and why he was drafted to the NFL. I think putting him a Guard was a mistake.

 

[TheCoolFan]

I have no idea what to expect...I'm excited to see how McGovern looks after a redshirt rookie year. He may be the better prospect (or he may not) but he should definitely be in the mix. It's going to be a battle between those two

 

[fivetwos]

Dont sleep on Hyatt. He was a damn good LT in college against good competition and played a lot of games.

Some guys need a year in an NFL program before figuring it out. It's not a situation where he grabbed a signing bonus and just doesnt care. I'm sure he has been killing it in the offseason. He knows where he stands.

 

[Creeper]

Connor McGovern's draft profile (from NFL.com):
Grade 6.2
Bench Reps: 28

Overview
Reliable run blocker with NFL-ready size and strength but exploitable holes in his pass sets that need to be addressed as quickly as possible. His starting experience at both center and guard could bring additional interest in McGovern, who would be a bigger, stronger option at center for teams facing odd-front power in their division. He is a good fit in gap and inside-zone run schemes, but his tendency to over-set in pass protection could be challenging to correct. He's an early starter as a Day 2 pick, but Year 1 could have ups and downs.

Strengths

• Starting experience as both a guard and center
• NFL body type with broad upper body and good lower-body thickness
• Works well in double teams
• Can punch and carry target while the double block settles in
• Stays wide and can play wide
• Good catch-run-and-secure transitioning on zone blocks
• Bends effectively for desired pad level
• Able to dig opponents anchor out on down blocks
• Consistent hand placement as run blocker
• Not easily bull-rushed
• Can open hips and make athletic recoveries when beaten
• Decent redirect power in pass protection.

Weaknesses

• Hands too wide in pass protection
• Needs more consistent angles up to second level
• Inconsistent timing up to second block on combos
• Measured lateral movement lacks desired quickness
• Uses gallop steps to mirror edge-running 3-techniques
• Tends to over-set and open inside counters
• Gets caught out over his toes
• Will lean and lunge for redirect in pass protection
• Inside post becomes a target due to over-sets
• Needs better reaction time and awareness to twists

Sources Tell Us

"He's one of my favorite guards because he's got real size and real power. A lot of college linemen are coming in so light that it takes time to get them big and strong enough to play." -- Offensive line coach for NFC team

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Assuming new draftee centerTyler Bad Azzz will be a very near future starting center for us, and McGovern returning from IR, to battle for starting LG role vs the other Conner,..Williams, i tend to wonder how that LG battle will actually turn out, and what will be the future of how Williams will make his
impact here - as a continuing starting LG or . a key back swing OT.

- Note how the Cowboys have not invested in a developmental OT in the NFL draft, nor sign up a
seasoned vet in the FA period.
That gives me the notion that the backup OT will come down to Williams or Brandon Knight.
(and please..no Mitch Hyatt... ugh ! )

- i've seen some here already giving McGovern the starting nod, but i'm not so fast with that. i believe that's something McGovern has to 'earn' . Prove he is ready to be inserted into the starting lineup, and deserving of it. Don't just hand it to him by default.

- Just what if Williams proves to be the better player in camp to remain the LG ?

-Having his past ability to play LT well as Williams did in college at UT, as well as having Mac as a reserve could allow us to swing Williams out as a sub-back up to Tyron Smith "when" he gets injured
and out again.
and while Williams subs for the backup LT role, we could insert the Mac in as a sub LG.
Given his skill set, and draft status, Mac should be able to handle the interior backup OG role.

- i know a lot of people are down on Williams, but we need to keep him on as long as possible as
we never know if/when Tyrone may surprisingly pull a Travis Fredrick and suddenly retire.
Should that ever happen, it would immediately open up the possibilities of Williams as the heir apparent.

It seems pretty obvious what he faces. He will compete for his starting job with a spot as the swing tackle should he get beat out.

 

[xwalker]

Assuming new draftee centerTyler Bad Azzz will be a very near future starting center for us, and McGovern returning from IR, to battle for starting LG role vs the other Conner,..Williams, i tend to wonder how that LG battle will actually turn out, and what will be the future of how Williams will make his
impact here - as a continuing starting LG or . a key back swing OT.

- Note how the Cowboys have not invested in a developmental OT in the NFL draft, nor sign up a
seasoned vet in the FA period.
That gives me the notion that the backup OT will come down to Williams or Brandon Knight.
(and please..no Mitch Hyatt... ugh ! )

- i've seen some here already giving McGovern the starting nod, but i'm not so fast with that. i believe that's something McGovern has to 'earn' . Prove he is ready to be inserted into the starting lineup, and deserving of it. Don't just hand it to him by default.

- Just what if Williams proves to be the better player in camp to remain the LG ?

-Having his past ability to play LT well as Williams did in college at UT, as well as having Mac as a reserve could allow us to swing Williams out as a sub-back up to Tyron Smith "when" he gets injured
and out again.
and while Williams subs for the backup LT role, we could insert the Mac in as a sub LG.
Given his skill set, and draft status, Mac should be able to handle the interior backup OG role.

- i know a lot of people are down on Williams, but we need to keep him on as long as possible as
we never know if/when Tyrone may surprisingly pull a Travis Fredrick and suddenly retire.
Should that ever happen, it would immediately open up the possibilities of Williams as the heir apparent.

CW has been much better than most fans believe.

He is returning from major knee injury which might complicate things a bit.

The situation at backup OT is a huge concern. Brandon Knight started 1 game a RT and was OK considering that he was a rookie UDFA; however, I don't see him playing LT.

Having him practice at LT and server as the backup LT could be a way to limit his practice snaps and limit his game snaps during the season as he returns from the injury.

Team can carry an extra active OL this season with the 48 man game day roster change.

The Cowboys could have both Knight active as the backup RT and CW active as the backup LT with McGovern at LG and Biadasz/Looney as the OC and interior backup.

 

[quickccc]

I see Connor Williams as more of OT than a guard and have since the day Dallas drafted him. That is where he excelled at Texas and why he was drafted to the NFL. I think putting him a Guard was a mistake.

they already had Smith and Collins at OT, and Williams was highly regarded and valued on their draft board, there was an immediate need
for a new starting OG role and its usually an easy transition for a college OT to move into the interior OG role.
And they obviously wanted their best players on the field starting at same time.

 

[chicago JK]

This is a big year for him. The injury complicated matters. I don’t believe Williams has lived up to Dallas’ hopes as a second round pick. This is a guess on my part but if he is not a starter here by the end of the season, Dallas will look to upgrade him. They may keep him for another year due to
him being on his last year of a contract though. It would sure be nice if one of the Conner’s could provide up average starter guard play.

 

[johneric8]

Are you aware he blew out his knee last season?

I'm also aware of his off season personally.. I'm a wedding photographer whom does lots of celebs and sports figure's weddings and talked to a few guys about where he is at.. Lets just say he is bigger and stronger and 100% recovered.

 

[Doomsday101]

they already had Smith and Collins at OT, and Williams was highly regarded and valued on their draft board, there was an immediate need
for a new starting OG role and its usually an easy transition for a college OT to move into the interior OG role.
And they obviously wanted their best players on the field starting at same time.

I understand why they did it but I think it was a mistake. Williams ability at OT working against DE who tend to have less bulk and more speed than DT he has to face up the middle. You can say it is a easier transition but the demands on a G are different than that of OT.

 

[conner01]

If we have Looney, Williams and Knight as depth I will feel pretty good about the OL.

Knight impressed in the little time he got last year
If he’s for real that’s huge