ARTICLE: Former Cowboy Mel Renfro has advice for S Roy Williams

[WoodysGirl]

A 1996 Hall-of-Fame inductee, Mel Renfro started out as a safety and finished as a cornerback with the Dallas Cowboys.

Current Cowboys safety Roy Williams has been an all-pro safety, but struggles as a cover man. Williams gets beat deep, and beat often.

Renfro's advice for Williams:

"I've watched him very closely. He has a problem with his footwork. He has a problem with finding the ball in the air, especially on the deep pass.

"I think someone just needs to work with him on that on an individual basis. Get him out there and run with him sideline to sideline; have a quarterback throw the ball; have receivers run down the field. His lack of ability to find the football has hurt him and as a result has hurt the Cowboys.

"You might want to have him add a few pounds and play a linebacker position, but I don't know if that's the answer. Working on his quickness and footwork and his ability to find the ball in the air would make a difference.”

LINK

 

[dcowboysfan76]

"I think someone just needs to work with him on that on an individual basis. Get him out there and run with him sideline to sideline; have a quarterback throw the ball; have receivers run down the field. His lack of ability to find the football has hurt him and as a result has hurt the Cowboys.

I would think that this is being done already............

"You might want to have him add a few pounds and play a linebacker position, but I don't know if that's the answer. Working on his quickness and footwork and his ability to find the ball in the air would make a difference.”

Would probably make a good ILB.........

 

[YosemiteSam]

Man, if I were Roy Williams I would take exception to Mel publically critiquing my play. If he has advise, talk to me privately. I find that just a bit disrespectful.

 

[dcowboysfan76]

Man, if I were Roy Williams I would take exception to Mel publically critiquing my play. If he has advise, talk to me privately. I find that just a bit disrespectful.

It's no different than Troy Aikman or Daryl Johnston doing it while their commentating........IMO
Roy has bad footing which causes him to look like a deer in headlights when he's in space. If I were him, I would work harder to perfect my craft, and IMO it doesn't seem that he works hard at it in the off season because each year it's the same thing. So therefore is a HOF'er in Renfro is noticing it, Roy should take it as a grain of fault, because Mel is only exhibiting that Cowboys' pride.

 

[Jaxonsdaddd]

Renfro is just a hater and cant say Roy isnt good in coverage because he doesnt know what defense has been called and what Roys responsibilities are on any given play

y:eagwhine:

 

[Zimmy Lives]

A 1996 Hall-of-Fame inductee, Mel Renfro started out as a safety and finished as a cornerback with the Dallas Cowboys.

Current Cowboys safety Roy Williams has been an all-pro safety, but struggles as a cover man. Williams gets beat deep, and beat often.

Renfro's advice for Williams:

"I've watched him very closely. He has a problem with his footwork. He has a problem with finding the ball in the air, especially on the deep pass.

"I think someone just needs to work with him on that on an individual basis. Get him out there and run with him sideline to sideline; have a quarterback throw the ball; have receivers run down the field. His lack of ability to find the football has hurt him and as a result has hurt the Cowboys.

"You might want to have him add a few pounds and play a linebacker position, but I don't know if that's the answer. Working on his quickness and footwork and his ability to find the ball in the air would make a difference.”

LINK

Sean Salisbury Steak mentioned to Chuck Cooperstein yesterday on Hate's local Dallas ESPN radio show that Roy would be All-Pro at LB. Said he could play at his current weight and he would be a force.

 

[jimmy40]

Man, if I were Roy Williams I would take exception to Mel publically critiquing my play. If he has advise, talk to me privately. I find that just a bit disrespectful.

When RW is in the HOF he can start taking exception to what Mel says.

 

[DallasDW00ds0n]

"I think someone just needs to work with him on that on an individual basis. Get him out there and run with him sideline to sideline; have a quarterback throw the ball; have receivers run down the field. His lack of ability to find the football has hurt him and as a result has hurt the Cowboys.

I would think that this is being done already............

"You might want to have him add a few pounds and play a linebacker position, but I don't know if that's the answer. Working on his quickness and footwork and his ability to find the ball in the air would make a difference.”

Would probably make a good ILB.........

yeah a 220 pound ILB on a 3-4 defense......

 

[NoLuv4Jerry]

Man, if I were Roy Williams I would take exception to Mel publically critiquing my play. If he has advise, talk to me privately. I find that just a bit disrespectful.

I am kind of with you on this....I mean what is Roy supposed to say? He has had SOME issues in coverage, that get blown way out of proportion because he is a Dallas Cowboy...and Renfro is in the HOF, so Roy has to respect that. But geesh, a little more consistent pressure on the QB would help. I always find it funny that when guys get beat in coverage the media and fans have all the evidence they need to single out who the culprit is. But for those who know, played and/or understand football...often plays are designed for the pressure to get there, with the full understanding that if it does not, there will be trouble for whomever is in coverage. But there is no way to single out which guy was supposed to get to the QB, so we just pick on the defender who is beat for the catch.

 

[jimmy40]

Renfro is just a hater and cant say Roy isnt good in coverage because he doesnt know what defense has been called and what Roys responsibilities are on any given play

y:eagwhine:

Obviously Mel has an agenda.

 

[DallasDW00ds0n]

no way Roy is moved to LB and paid safety money. no way.

we need to just drop it... its stupid.

 

[dcowboysfan76]

yeah a 220 pound ILB on a 3-4 defense......

That's why Mel stated......""You might want to have him add a few pounds and play a linebacker position"..................

 

[Doomsday101]

Man, if I were Roy Williams I would take exception to Mel publically critiquing my play. If he has advise, talk to me privately. I find that just a bit disrespectful.

It is not a secret and there is nothing disrespectful about giving advice. Hopefully Roy will take it and work on making improvements within his game. I like Roy and have seen him make many big plays for us but if you can do something to correct a weakness in your game then do it.

 

[DallasDW00ds0n]

hes never play ILB his entire life, what hes just gonna make the jump now? 5 years into playing in the NFL?

give me a break.

 

[Doomsday101]

That's why Mel stated......""You might want to have him add a few pounds and play a linebacker position"..................

but I don't know if that's the answer.

 

[Cowboyz88]

What the heck is Mel thinking? How could he, of all people, criticize Roy? It's not like he's an all-time Cowboy's great. Who does this guy think he is — some kind of hall-of-famer or something?

He used his own eyes, subjective thoughts and provided NO stats to support his preposterous opinions on Roy's play?

Roy at linebacker? Beat and beat OFTEN? His play HURTS the Cowboys?

That is true Cowboy's blasphemy.

Doesn't he read this message board? Doesn't he know, like so many here, that Roy is great and could never be subject to such criticism (especially by some kind of football expert)? You'd think that this guy, Renfro, would've played for many years, at a high level, and might know what he's talking about, but not me. You guys have taught me well.

I believe all the guys on this board who "played DB" at some college or even in "high school" who use some device called Tivo to set us straight on our football - those guys have to know what they're talking about. In fact, I didn't play at the collegiate level, so I can't possibly know anything about football. It's a good thing I have this board to set me straight.

Perhaps, we should direct Mr Renfro to this board to have him set straight on Roy!

 

[WoodysGirl]

yeah a 220 pound ILB on a 3-4 defense......

Isn't that basically what Kevin Burnett weighs,because he can't keep his weight up? And he only plays on passing downs.

Also, didn't Donnie Edwards play that spot for the Chargers when he was there? Not advocating, just saying his weight wouldn't be a factor.

 

[YosemiteSam]

It's no different than Troy Aikman or Daryl Johnston doing it while their commentating........IMO
Roy has bad footing which causes him to look like a deer in headlights when he's in space. If I were him, I would work harder to perfect my craft, and IMO it doesn't seem that he works hard at it in the off season because each year it's the same thing. So therefore is a HOF'er in Renfro is noticing it, Roy should take it as a grain of fault, because Mel is only exhibiting that Cowboys' pride.

It is different. Aikman will point out that he has trouble in coverage. He doesn't start giving public lessons on how he should correct these issues.

When RW is in the HOF he can start taking exception to what Mel says.

So, because he is a Cowboy HoFer, he is exempt for criticism for disrespecting others? I think not.

 

[Iago33]

It's no different than Troy Aikman or Daryl Johnston doing it while their commentating........IMO
Roy has bad footing which causes him to look like a deer in headlights when he's in space. If I were him, I would work harder to perfect my craft, and IMO it doesn't seem that he works hard at it in the off season because each year it's the same thing. So therefore is a HOF'er in Renfro is noticing it, Roy should take it as a grain of fault, because Mel is only exhibiting that Cowboys' pride.

I think it's naive to think no one has worked with Williams, but it's a matter of Williams making it a priority. Maybe public criticism will make him work harder--or maybe it will make him cry...

Also, I can't help it--what is "a grain of fault"???

 

[YosemiteSam]

Isn't that basically what Kevin Burnett weighs,because he can't keep his weight up? And he only plays on passing downs.

I don't think Burnett is having that problem now. He was having issues keeping his weight over 250lbs for Parcells defense. I believe his normal weight is 240lbs which I believe is his current play weight.