Connor Williams’ Offseason Is Worth The Weight

[Ranching]

I'm loving the OL depth.

What about the girth?

 

[CCBoy]

I weigh 315, I think I can play RB.

We'll just file that one and bring it out in a couple of years...

 

[CCBoy]

Williams has been a standout performer in the voluntary program to this point, improving his rookie strength numbers. He credits his lifting partner, All-Pro guard Zack Martin, and Cowboys director of strength and conditioning Mike Woicik, for support this spring.

At this week’s open OTA session, Williams worked at first-team left tackle with Tyron Smith (rest), La’el Collins (offseason shoulder surgery) and Cameron Fleming (leg contusion) sitting out of 11-on-11 work. Once everyone’s back, he figures to be back in the left guard group.

The Cowboys are excited about his potential in 2019


“Football is very important to him,” Cowboys chief operating officer Stephen Jones said recently. “He loves the game, and my understanding he's put on some really good weight and added some really good strength. I think he can make a big jump.”


https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/connor-williams-offseason-is-worth-the-weight

 

[Maxmadden]

We are setting up an OL rotation. Instead of Offensive Lineman playing every offensive snap they will be fresh going into the 4th quarter just like the DL.

I said that jokingly, because the OL works more as a unit but, IF you had the right group of guys I think you could do this.

 

[davidariust24]

He already has great technique. He just needed more strength and power. He has added 20 lbs. That is alot of hard work because he looks very solid. He is going to be a beast wherever he lines up. With guys like He and McGovern. We already have the next wave of lineman if guys like frederick or Smith start to wane.

 

[cowboy_ron]

What about the girth?

.....You ain't right Ranch

 

[JD_KaPow]

As long as the added bulk doesn't have a negative effect on His fluidic dynamisity.

 

[CT Dal Fan]

With a bigger, stronger Williams, a healthier Zack Martin and Tyron Smith, and the return of Travis Frederick, the Cowboys offensive line will reclaim it's position as the best in all of football.

I just worry that La'el Collins regressed in pass protection last year. Wonder if the Cowboys plan to move Williams to RT right away and give Connor McGovern the same baptism by fire at LG that Williams got last year.

 

[Irvin88_4life]

I understand. I don’t think the team will do it though.

IMO, they feel ok enough about Williams’ ability out at tackle and in Fleming at RT to wait until next year to let Williams compete seriously outside.

Inside at LG if McGovern isn’t ready to go as a rookie (I think he very well might be though), I don’t think the team wants to see Looney or XSF as the starter. They likely feel like Collins is better at RT than Looney and XSF are at LG, and wouldn’t want to sit La’el down to get one of those guys on the field.

Of course they could move Collins back inside and let him compete at LG if McGovern isn’t ready to go... but then that is making more moves than the team wants to, I think.

Like I said, I could very well be wrong here, but I think the team will let Collins play out his final year at RT and let the first and second year Connors compete at LG. They probably feel like Williams can make that move in one offseason.

In any event, the line is very deep and talented. I don’t think there really is a wrong decision in this case.

I do feel like Williams will get some time out at RT this training camp though.

Williams has lined up at LT in OTAs already. Going against Quinn will give us a pretty good idea where he stands at tackle.

 

[kiheikiwi]

Are we likely to lose both Collins and Fleming next off-season ? (I think so).
I would already be in guys like Puni / Hyatt's ears saying, "you will in all probability be on our practice squad this year. Don't give in to the temptation of being pulled to another team on their active squad. There will be a place for you here next year, do the same as what Williams has done this year, strength and size, you will be a part of the best line in football moving forward".
Maybe Puni is more of a swing tackle type moving forward, but stash 'em both for a year of strength training and learning pro football - and damm we may make the line even better !

 

[speedkilz88]

in pictures I’ve seen he appears to be carrying a little bad weight but not much. No doubt he’ll lose some of that in Oxnard and be about right by the start of the season, which is good. I don’t want his mobility limited at all.

Where's it at?

 

[mmohican29]

He already has great technique. He just needed more strength and power. He has added 20 lbs. That is alot of hard work because he looks very solid. He is going to be a beast wherever he lines up. With guys like He and McGovern. We already have the next wave of lineman if guys like frederick or Smith start to wane.

In retrospect the McGovern selection was genius.

We should continually draft OL and DL high. We have incredible depth in the trenches as it stands right now. I say next spring we look at a LT candidate first and foremost. We have a chance to sustain these lines for a good number of years. We are in the top 5 of physical football teams in the NFL, even with RHG at HC. We have a good mix of skill position talent, but let's be who we are. Let's line up and hammer people.

 

[speedkilz88]

In retrospect the McGovern selection was genius.

We should continually draft OL and DL high. We have incredible depth in the trenches as it stands right now. I say next spring we look at a LT candidate first and foremost. We have a chance to sustain these lines for a good number of years. We are in the top 5 of physical football teams in the NFL, even with RHG at HC. We have a good mix of skill position talent, but let's be who we are. Let's line up and hammer people.

I don't necessarily think they should be "looking" other than due diligence. But if they are in a situation like this year and in the best guy by far is a OL then yeah you take them rather than reach for another position.

 

[MaaS]

The guy is going to be a solid to really good player no matter where he lines up.

His movement skills and overall athleticism are very good for an OL and if he is indeed getting his weight and strength up... he’s going to have a nice season no matter where he plays.

McGovern might push him at LG, but if Williams stays there, I don’t see the rookie beating him out.

I can’t wait to watch the battle for that spot.

Agreed. Having this sort of depth is a big advantage. Pretty much every team in the league loses a few olineman for a stretch and we look set to handle it in stride.

 

[Eanwen]

It's really odd that while Collins is out with an injury they choose to put Williams at LT not RT. That's making me a bit nervous re: Smith. Hopefully it just means the coaches just want to see Williams at OT and this has nothing to do with where they think Smith is health wise.

 

[Mr_437]

Are we likely to lose both Collins and Fleming next off-season ? (I think so).
I would already be in guys like Puni / Hyatt's ears saying, "you will in all probability be on our practice squad this year. Don't give in to the temptation of being pulled to another team on their active squad. There will be a place for you here next year, do the same as what Williams has done this year, strength and size, you will be a part of the best line in football moving forward".
Maybe Puni is more of a swing tackle type moving forward, but stash 'em both for a year of strength training and learning pro football - and damm we may make the line even better !

Fleming signed a two year deal this free agency, so they covered themselves if Collins leaves.

I think their playing Puni at OG...you got any intel on him playing OT?

The future swing OT battle will be on I look at with Campos, Knight and Hyatt. Thought Campos was decent last year. McClay likes Knight, and Hyatt has those credentials.

 

[dogberry]

Connor Williams’ injury allows Woicik the opportunity to supervise Williams in the off-season?

 

[buybuydandavis]

Inside at LG if McGovern isn’t ready to go as a rookie (I think he very well might be though), I don’t think the team wants to see Looney or XSF as the starter. They likely feel like Collins is better at RT than Looney and XSF are at LG, and wouldn’t want to sit La’el down to get one of those guys on the field.

Of course they could move Collins back inside and let him compete at LG if McGovern isn’t ready to go... but then that is making more moves than the team wants to, I think.

Like I said, I could very well be wrong here, but I think the team will let Collins play out his final year at RT and let the first and second year Connors compete at LG. They probably feel like Williams can make that move in one offseason.

In any event, the line is very deep and talented. I don’t think there really is a wrong decision in this case.

I do feel like Williams will get some time out at RT this training camp though.

McGovern is much more ready to play LG than Williams. His whole career was playing interior oline, they say he has NFL ready power, and he is 26. Williams was changing to an entirely new position, just wasn't strong enough, and was only 21.

They should both be starting this year. We'll have the oline set for the next 3 years. I wouldn't wait on either one. See if we can move Collins. 10 mil for Collins is too much to pay when we have his heir *and* depth behind him waiting.

 

[Corso]

Fleming signed a two year deal this free agency, so they covered themselves if Collins leaves.

I think their playing Puni at OG...you got any intel on him playing OT?

The future swing OT battle will be on I look at with Campos, Knight and Hyatt. Thought Campos was decent last year. McClay likes Knight, and Hyatt has those credentials.

Puni is slower than slow. He's a monster though.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

I think "then" is too late. You wait until next year to find out and your exact stuck. No La'el Collins to fall back on like you have now.

100%......let he and Collins fight it out. If he can beat Collins, I see ZERO reasons not to trade Collins before the season starts.