Can Roy Williams (Wide Receiver) be trained to be better?

[LarryCanadian]

To me this is a HUGE question for the future. The first 3 or 4 games he played for us, he made every catch (some fabulous - for example the one armed sideline one - and some critical - the TD to beat Tampa). I know he had foot issues that should improve. BUT....... where there is smoke there is often fire, and many different "experts" (I give ex-players a bunch of credibility, especially QB's and WR's that were successful) suggest that his habits and route running aren't close to what they could/should be.

I ask this questions BECAUSE we just signed him for a bunch of cash, gave up 2 high draft picks for him, AND HE IS FAIRLY YOUNG. The KEY is that he should still be able to improve. Put in the right environment with the right attention to detail and with the right leadership, then he can still be our future Number 1 receiver. A dependable and sometimes playmaking game changer. But he has to get both the Stink of failure in Detroit out of him, and the influence of TO's me/me/me, I need the ball or I'll sulk attitude to disappear to (in fairness rumor has it that all WR's and Roy particularly also, have this attitude to some degree).

The big question for the future is, can Roy Williams WR improve still. He has hands, we've seen that. He has size and strength, we've seen that. Straight ahead speed seems there, when utilized healthy. Now he needs what most of this team needs, heart, focus, team mentality, toughness, good practice habits, and smarts.

We've invested a TON in this guy. Our owner and coaches are stubborn AND WILL keep playing this guy even if not playing well, so question is, CAN HE GET BETTER STILL? He is young and didn't have the complementary talent (dare I say this) in Detroit.

This is a key to future for our offense.

I was in favour of trade initially(although I worried a bit about cost, since the Galloway trade still hurts as good a player as he was, trading picks is very risky). Now I'm concerned this player might not be what we thought he could be. I'm putting faith in scouts and other coaches that MUST have researched this guy right? He must have been analysed no?

TO won't be here forever, for good or ill. Roy is future #1 WR on this team unless Austin really continues to grow (which might be tall order as much as he is very likeable).

I wish we knew more about this guy. The Detroit fans that say "no" scare me as they have seen him a bunch. Can he change and get better and be a playmaking and difference making #1. At his age does he still have upside or are the attitude and habits ingrained for good?

LarryCanadian

 

[NickZepp]

I know he didn't show that much in Texas, I don't know about Detroit but Detroit is so bad that it doesn't matter. Sometimes it is easier to get good numbers on a team that's getting beat so bad.

 

[I LOVE ME SOME ME!]

If you knew more about him you would be with me along with the others telling people who want TO gone to shut the hell up. Roy Williams is horrible. Just look at how he started playing after detroit went 6-2 last year. Things started to matter and he folded. Look it up

 

[Rack]

The problems with Roy ARE correctable, but it takes work ethic.


And Roy is lacking in that area, IMO.

 

[casmith07]

Shoulda got Boldin or Housh.

But agree with Rack - he's going to have to work hard in the offseason and in training camp to become better. Pull a page out of TO's work-ethic book.

 

[LarryCanadian]

That's the question I am getting at. Can he improve (attitude, route practice, focus, maturity, etc). He wouldn't have been allowed out of Detroit if he was perfect. I don't think Bolding and Housh are going to be available, but stranger things have happened.

The key is, are Roy's faults correctable. Some are suggesting an offseason might help, and a healthy foot. I'm not so sure. The Detroit or Texas viewers and fans know better than the outsiders. Can he be molded into a #1 receiver ON A CONTENDER. The key is, can he be good enough to make a difference and overcome the loss of TO eventually. If not, we are in big trouble! Not only because he might not produce, but because he will delay the drafting of a young talent from many angles (strategy and lack of early picks) and prevent us from picking up other free agent possibilities.

This is a huge key to offense over next few years. Is this guy a key piece of nucleus of team in future or not. I'm not talking next year only anymore as this team is much farther away from SuperBowl than we all probably thought. I"m talking what this team looks like for next 3-4 years!

LarryCanadian

 

[TellerMorrow34]

I think they're changeable and coachable and he's going to get better I do believe.

 

[MapleLeaf]

...of reasons to change. A page from T.O.'s publicist's book.

If he doesn't then we will be on the short end of this stick.

 

[JohnnyHopkins]

Wade needs to simply sit Garrett down and talk to him about adapting his scheme to play to the strengths of his players. Garrett seemed to lack creativity at times this year in developing plays that allowed his players to flourish, while Wade took over the Defense and adjusted schemes so that players like Ratliff and Brady James could have career years. The top four receivers on our roster have some of the best talent in the league, they simply need a better offensive game-plan and less careless decisions by our QB.

 

[theogt]

RW11 is fine. His routes are fine. It's the playcalling that is the problem.

You stick one of the other 31 offensive playcallers on this team and problem solved.

 

[NewJCowboy]

I really hope that it was his foot injury that prevented him from running crisp routes and running at full speed.

 

[Ren]

plantar fasciitis probably held him back more then anything else this season he shouldn't even be playing with it. Newman said last year that it was hard to make sharp cuts with it which is probably why he's been running so poor routes

 

[masomenos]

MAYBE we should move Roy 11 to FS, shift Hamlin to SS and have Roy 38 play as a possession WR.

 

[dbair1967]

The problems with Roy ARE correctable, but it takes work ethic.


And Roy is lacking in that area, IMO.

He definitely needs to work at mastering route running, and IMO he could afford to lose 8-10-12lbs too.

 

[tomson75]

Shoulda got Boldin or Housh.

Agreed. Never been a big RW11 fan.

 

[NextGenBoys]

I dont know but I think we can all agree that so far, this trade is a complete bust.

We didnt even make the ****ing playoffs let alone win a Super Bowl. We could have signed the guy this offseason, and kept our draft picks and picked up a ILB in the first round to offset the Thomas departure.

I was all for the trade, but I remember before it happened I questioned if he was the type of receiver we needed. I wanted a smaller quicker receiver, and then Torry Holt. Roy has not impressed to say the least, although an offseason with the team will help things tremendously.

 

[ms9221]

To me this is a HUGE question for the future. The first 3 or 4 games he played for us, he made every catch (some fabulous - for example the one armed sideline one - and some critical - the TD to beat Tampa). I know he had foot issues that should improve. BUT....... where there is smoke there is often fire, and many different "experts" (I give ex-players a bunch of credibility, especially QB's and WR's that were successful) suggest that his habits and route running aren't close to what they could/should be.

I ask this questions BECAUSE we just signed him for a bunch of cash, gave up 2 high draft picks for him, AND HE IS FAIRLY YOUNG. The KEY is that he should still be able to improve. Put in the right environment with the right attention to detail and with the right leadership, then he can still be our future Number 1 receiver. A dependable and sometimes playmaking game changer. But he has to get both the Stink of failure in Detroit out of him, and the influence of TO's me/me/me, I need the ball or I'll sulk attitude to disappear to (in fairness rumor has it that all WR's and Roy particularly also, have this attitude to some degree).

The big question for the future is, can Roy Williams WR improve still. He has hands, we've seen that. He has size and strength, we've seen that. Straight ahead speed seems there, when utilized healthy. Now he needs what most of this team needs, heart, focus, team mentality, toughness, good practice habits, and smarts.

We've invested a TON in this guy. Our owner and coaches are stubborn AND WILL keep playing this guy even if not playing well, so question is, CAN HE GET BETTER STILL? He is young and didn't have the complementary talent (dare I say this) in Detroit.

This is a key to future for our offense.

I was in favour of trade initially(although I worried a bit about cost, since the Galloway trade still hurts as good a player as he was, trading picks is very risky). Now I'm concerned this player might not be what we thought he could be. I'm putting faith in scouts and other coaches that MUST have researched this guy right? He must have been analysed no?

TO won't be here forever, for good or ill. Roy is future #1 WR on this team unless Austin really continues to grow (which might be tall order as much as he is very likeable).

I wish we knew more about this guy. The Detroit fans that say "no" scare me as they have seen him a bunch. Can he change and get better and be a playmaking and difference making #1. At his age does he still have upside or are the attitude and habits ingrained for good?

LarryCanadian

Nope are what you are.

 

[theogt]

I dont know but I think we can all agree that so far, this trade is a complete bust.

We didnt even make the ****ing playoffs let alone win a Super Bowl. We could have signed the guy this offseason, and kept our draft picks and picked up a ILB in the first round to offset the Thomas departure.

I was all for the trade, but I remember before it happened I questioned if he was the type of receiver we needed. I wanted a smaller quicker receiver, and then Torry Holt. Roy has not impressed to say the least, although an offseason with the team will help things tremendously.

I think everyone with half a brain can agree that there was zero chance we would get the guy this offseason as a free agent.

 

[Rack]

RW11 is fine. His routes are fine. It's the playcalling that is the problem.

You stick one of the other 31 offensive playcallers on this team and problem solved.

Myself, a Hall of Fame QB, and a Hall of Fame Wide Reciever disagree with you.

 

[Rack]

I think everyone with half a brain can agree that there was zero chance we would get the guy this offseason as a free agent.

That's a load of BS.