Connor Williams Perception vs Reality

[black label]

conners pinky toe was moving before the snap bra

 

[jrumann59]

All I have to say is sometimes they need time. Remember Collins was a whipping boy at LG and at RT for a while. He came into his own last season.

 

[Creeper]

Connor Williams is a solid player. He will always be underpowered, because he doesn't have the power in his lower body to hold up against wide bodies. Where he excels is in pulling and utilizing his quickness to execute reach blocks in the zone game. Where he has shown some improvement, but needs to do more, is to not duck his head from time to time when engaging tackles who have more power than him. When he does this, he has a tendency to whiff at the point of attack. He has improved his positioning against power guys in general, though. Williams will play 10 years in the league at a solid level barring injury.

I don't think Connor Williams sucks, although at times he looks like he does. I said this last year, he is the best blocker on the OL when pulling or in space and that includes Tyron Smith and La'el Collins - and Collins is pretty good himself.

But last year without any doubt Connor Williams was the weak link in the OL. His inability to take on the big strong DTs in the league is a problem because of Leonard Williams, Dalvin Tomlinson, Dexter Lawrence, Fletcher Cox, Jonathan Allen, and Da'Ron Payne. The Cowboys face this bunch twice a year. All of these guys are big and strong and can get to Williams before he can set himself. The sad truth about OL is they can win every battle except for few and it can look like they had a bad day.

I'd still like to see how Connor McGovern or even Terence Steele does at LG next year.

 

[Creeper]

Connor Williams hasn’t always played well and he had some growing pains, literally and figuratively, in his first years in the league. Injuries and multiple line combinations haven’t helped either.

But this season C-Will has quietly been a rock. Passed being healthy all year, he’s performed admirably well and a lot better than fans give him credit for. Dude is an above average LG right now and has been most of this season.

Williams has the best pass-blocking efficiency rating, basically pressures per snaps with sacks weighted. In 505 pass blocking reps this season he’s only given up 22 pressures. Dude’s been able to anchor like he hasn’t previously as opposed to leaning into contact due to a lack of confidence in his strength. This has also improved his run blocking as he’s been able to move guys in ways he never could. Blitz pick-up has also improved.

What’s encouraging is he was able to gain strength in an offseason where he was rehabbing a torn-ACL. If he finishes this season healthy and Sewell isn’t on the roster he’s going to continue into being an above average LG.

That shot to the head has been illegal for years. I am not surprised it wasn't called though. I assume the DT was trying to his his shoulder but intent does not matter. A blow to the head is a blow to the head.

 

[DandyDon52]

he doesnt seem in postion to ask for a big deal, its up to him, what he asking for..????? he not in line for that mega deal some of our all pro linemen got and we have leverage like say hey take this or Mcgovern is next up..

every players not next man up for market deal..LC TS Tfred, and martin deserved theirs, this is not the same situation..hes serviceable starter. Look around the league even those are hard to come by. Depth is important hes the only player not to get hurt on our line this season, its crazy

both our starters and backups were all hurt at least once some twice..

think about that

TC , LC, Biadsz, Looney, Knight. steele, Martin twice, Ervin twice

last man standing Cwill with a new acl..

well they all want a big deal lol, they are spoiled by the rookie contracts, which pay 4-5 mil a year,if drafted rd 1.
he is going to look at what his fellow linemen got and want something similar.
What if he gets daks agent lol.

I dont know , but if it were my team I would be talking to him now to find out how much does he want.
Get a idea on how much he will cost to keep and go from there, but to me he seems kinda dumb, and not big enough or strong enough.

Also the coaching makes him look worse lol.
If you look at the vid marcus posted, connor is supposed to just chip the lineman and move out to block a lb, cause elliot will be running 30 yds
downfield if he blocks that lb lol.
The problem there is play design and blocking assignments.
Chipping a lineman doesnt work as u see there, plus there are issues with how long it takes elliot to get the ball and move outside.
Many times it just seems to take too long for E to get the ball, and get to the line or outside.
kellen doesnt take into account about the timing on all that, and if timing is off, you have a play like in marcus vid.

 

[blueblood70]

well they all want a big deal lol, they are spoiled by the rookie contracts, which pay 4-5 mil a year,if drafted rd 1.
he is going to look at what his fellow linemen got and want something similar.
What if he gets daks agent lol.

I dont know , but if it were my team I would be talking to him now to find out how much does he want.
Get a idea on how much he will cost to keep and go from there, but to me he seems kinda dumb, and not big enough or strong enough.

Also the coaching makes him look worse lol.
If you look at the vid marcus posted, connor is supposed to just chip the lineman and move out to block a lb, cause elliot will be running 30 yds
downfield if he blocks that lb lol.
The problem there is play design and blocking assignments.
Chipping a lineman doesnt work as u see there, plus there are issues with how long it takes elliot to get the ball and move outside.
Many times it just seems to take too long for E to get the ball, and get to the line or outside.
kellen doesnt take into account about the timing on all that, and if timing is off, you have a play like in marcus vid.

hes been drafted rd 2 and has been injured and also knows hes not been playing PB type ball..you dont get elite money if you were round 2 and still have some work to do to cath up to the big time deal..they all get paid too much and 10-20 mil is the rtae for starters i believ they will give him what most vets who are full lime starters get offer 5-9mil per with many escalators,,

go loom at non élite but starter OL money around the league and that his goal, not that he will get it as McGovern is right there ready to fill the void..

w have no worries if he asks for too much hes gone..how much was looneys deal,leary? that cwill money

 

[xwalker]

It was Williams because he sucks.

Frederick later said that one was on him...

 

[xwalker]

Connor Williams hasn’t always played well and he had some growing pains, literally and figuratively, in his first years in the league. Injuries and multiple line combinations haven’t helped either.

But this season C-Will has quietly been a rock. Passed being healthy all year, he’s performed admirably well and a lot better than fans give him credit for. Dude is an above average LG right now and has been most of this season.

Williams has the best pass-blocking efficiency rating, basically pressures per snaps with sacks weighted. In 505 pass blocking reps this season he’s only given up 22 pressures. Dude’s been able to anchor like he hasn’t previously as opposed to leaning into contact due to a lack of confidence in his strength. This has also improved his run blocking as he’s been able to move guys in ways he never could. Blitz pick-up has also improved.

What’s encouraging is he was able to gain strength in an offseason where he was rehabbing a torn-ACL. If he finishes this season healthy and Sewell isn’t on the roster he’s going to continue into being an above average LG.

I've often posted that CW is better than most fans believe.

He is a great technician.
- He is terrific at picking up and handing off stunting and blitzing defenders.
- He is terrific on 2nd level run blocking and pulling plays where many power OGs struggle to get good blocks in the open field.

He does give up some ground in pass blocking but on the vast majority of snaps he keeps the pass rusher from getting to the QB.
- His pass protection technique is more like an OT than the standard OG method.

His power run blocking is actually OK if he is in a balanced position.

When he does have a bad snap, it is normally because he got off balance.
- He does not have great lower body bulk to help with balance.
- He appears to have good weight room type strength and gets decent push in the run game if he is in a balanced position.

 

[Creeper]

Just another thought on Connor Williams. When Zack Martin went down this year what happened to the OL? A disaster happened. When Connor Williams went down last year, what happened? The OL arguably got better. That is all.

 

[jrumann59]

Just another thought on Connor Williams. When Zack Martin went down this year what happened to the OL? A disaster happened. When Connor Williams went down last year, what happened? The OL arguably got better. That is all.

No one is calling Connor Williams a 1st ballot HOFer like Zack will most likely be. If Connor is your only concern When Collins, Martin, Looney/Biadasz, and Smith are starting with him then you have a solid line. He is a guy you want to replace but I seriously think 2-3 All-Pros on the OL is really the max you want

 

[RonnieT24]

Just another thought on Connor Williams. When Zack Martin went down this year what happened to the OL? A disaster happened. When Connor Williams went down last year, what happened? The OL arguably got better. That is all.

LOL!

 

[bodi]

MM likes to cross train the o linemen -

I still don't get the hate for Conner

 

[Parcells4Life]

Majority of posters here think if a player isn’t an all pro they need to move on. You can’t afford 22 all pros in the salary cap era. Some of your starters will be above average.

It’s ok that CW isn’t Larry Allen. That doesn’t mean he needs to be replaced before his contract is up. He isn’t Alex Barron or Chaz Green. Those guys are liabilities. Big difference.

 

[Parcells4Life]

Hilarious that last minute you changed your post to "this year"!!!

Why would that be?

Looks like you got nothing but THIS years PFF ranking saying he is "above average". LOL

You really are pathetic.

Guys do progress. It’s the nature of how football is supposed to work.

 

[ondaedg]

He doesn’t bring typical G power to the position. So calling him average or above average doesn’t include his inability to push DTs off the ball. He is decent in pass coverage but I’m not sure that’s enough to get him to average.

 

[CowboysRule]

Williams isn't terrible, he isn't great. With all the needs we have on the defensive side of the ball though he needs to be low on the list of priorities. He does still need to build more strength. Honestly, I'd get him on a steroid regiment. Tons of them. Just for the coming off-season to get super freaking jooicy. If, in the event he actually tests positive, it's just a couple of games. Blame it on some supplement your were endorsing. Then you have the strength you need and you can help make our line great again.

 

[Creeper]

No one is calling Connor Williams a 1st ballot HOFer like Zack will most likely be. If Connor is your only concern When Collins, Martin, Looney/Biadasz, and Smith are starting with him then you have a solid line. He is a guy you want to replace but I seriously think 2-3 All-Pros on the OL is really the max you want

Actually, CW is not my only concern on the OL. And I agree that CW is not awful. In fact, I have repeatedly stated he is the best blocker on the OL in space. If you watch him when he pulls he almost always gets on a man and takes him out of the play. The concern is he struggles with big strong DTs. And as I said, the NFCE is full of them.

Replacing Williams is not a top priority, but it is still an area that can be improved. Williams is far from an all-pro, so they can improve the position without having to pay a perennial all-Pro player. I believe a higher priority on the OL is replacing Tyron Smith. He is breaking down before our eyes. The neck was only one injury. He has had back, knee and elbow problems too. They can get away without a top lineman at LG but they cannot win consistently with bad LT play. We will see next year, but does anyone feel strongly that Tyron will give us 16 strong games next year?

Finally, Biadasz and McGovern have looked okay so far, but what happens when Tyron, Zack and La'el are back next year and Biadasz becomes the center of attention for defenses? I am not saying he is not going to be a good player, but I would argue it is too soon to say he is going to be a strong player too.

 

[quickccc]

Cowboys drafted Williams high in the 2nd round, you don’t take on and invest on a OL guy that high if you don’t expect him to be a Pro Bowl Caliber player.
That’s why Williams continues to catch hell as a starter:

You’d hope he eventually become one of the better interior OGs in the NFL that were 2nd rd or later picks ala Joe Bitonio (clev) …..Joe thuney (NE) … Richie incognito9 LV) Brandon Scherff Washington,… Kevin Zeitler NYG ..

- I frankly thought Williams would be a Richie Incognito type player. Not big on bulk and strength. But built more for movement, technique, intensity, and functionally strong enough to be a top anchor.
He’s been decent- serviceable. But you don’t spend a 2nd rd for just decent play.

- I actually think his problems is more technical and mental lapses than it is anchor strength. Late reaction, holding penalties, false starts, not bending his knees and ducking his head on engagements, over-playing initial movements and open to counter moves, etc.

- He's very athletic and agile, and he can pull out in space on traps and get to the 2nd level but I don’t think he’s a natural OG.
He is versatile enough to swing/play OG, and maybe even center, but I don’t think he’s a natural knack for playing in the interior.
That high a pick you want a difference maker. A OG than can single handedly deal with the DeForrest Buckner, Craig Heyward, Fletcher Cox, etc.
One that dominates whether vs pass or run, and you don't have to be concerned about giving him double team help vs the elite ones.

He hasn’t really progress to be more of a difference maker after an impressive rookie outing vs Aaron Donald in the playoffs in 2018.

BTW, Williams has surrendered 3 sacks already this year, don’t see how PFF or any rating can rate and grade him that high.

 

[CouchCoach]

Time was an OL didn't see the starting role until at least his 2nd, if not 3rd, season because HC's didn't trust them. When Williams was drafted, everyone expected him to get a year of bulking up and strength training but he got tossed in there anyway. And he struggled because every DC knew he was the weak link in a very strong chain.

How many OL's have 3 pbers on them? Not many but the Cowboys did so just an acceptable OL wasn't good enough. Every OL is going to have players like Williams on them and none can constantly be in upgrade mode in the draft with other needs.

 

[quickccc]

Majority of posters here think if a player isn’t an all pro they need to move on. You can’t afford 22 all pros in the salary cap era. Some of your starters will be above average.

It’s ok that CW isn’t Larry Allen. That doesn’t mean he needs to be replaced before his contract is up. He isn’t Alex Barron or Chaz Green. Those guys are liabilities. Big difference.

eh, the Reality of it is you don't end up with All pro and Pro Bowl at every position, ..but the Philosophy is you work, scratch and claw to upgrade every position as if you're trying like hell to
place pro bowl players at every position.

That's the talent acquisition path. Example - If David Irving had alpha male mentality and love football, he'd have a great chance to be Pro bowl caliber DT.
and i'd love to have a Pro bowl laden roster with 11+ players from both sides of the ball.

You don't ever want to let up with that content Decent role Philosophy,.. like we did in the 90s with drafting for backup types high in 1st, 2nd, etc.(Shante Carver, Sherman Williams, etc)
that saw our talent core vastly decline.