Could R Willams be our secret weapon?

[vaturkey]

By the numbers:

Played in 5 games in 4 NFL seasons.
58 attempts for 164 yards
2.8 ypc
0 TDs

Secret Weapon? I think not.

It would indeed be a well kept secret wouldn't it?

 

[Idgit]

No, I said he was injury plagued since sophomore year, not that his confidence issue was from his sophomore year. He was injured his sophomore year in college, had the knee injury his rookie season, had a shoulder injury in his sophomore year while still having knee trouble, then had a knee flare up and an unclear issue with the Arizona coaching staff.

Everything I have said here is based on quotes directly from Williams himself or from known injuries. That is all. When a guy, who has been in the league for 5 years and very little playing time, says that he is scared; that IS a red flag.

Not too interested in quibbling over your original quote. He wasn't injury plagued in college, and he doesn't have confidence problems. You're simply taking things out of context on purpose, which is not an actual argument.

It's your prerogative if you've dismissed the player for a non-existent reason. And it's fine if you simply overlook the quotes from the same guy that make that obvious. The only real question is whether or not he can play and run hard for the Cowboys this season, and we won't know that until camp starts. I can wait.

 

[Szczepanik]

I hope he is given a chance to shine. A lot of members on this board are really undervaluing his skillset as a runner. He is a lot better than some of these armchair QB's think.

 

[Doomsday101]

From Stephen, re: how they compared him to some of the backs in the draft.



Or, you can follow the money. His contract has more guaranteed money than Darren McFadden's.

Williams was not on the active roster last season because we carry three backs, his pass protection of a QB coming back from an injury was sub-par, and because the third back needs to contribute on special teams. It was the right choice to expose him once Randle beat him out. Ronald's a more complete player, in that he's good at ST coverage and decent in pass protection. And we've seen that he can run the ball effectively, too. Murray did everything Williams can do, and then some. There's no shame in that for Williams.

But in terms of just pure running the football and running it hard, you're right that Williams is maybe the best back on the roster right now at that. If he's been able to fill out the rest of his game, he's got a legitimate shot to contribute or even start. He's a dark horse right now, but people are wrong to just dismiss his ability. He's a guy who can play in this league if he can earn his chance.

then that is scary if he is the best RB we have on this team.

 

[mattjames2010]

But if all of what you said is true, why would the Cowboys even have him on the roster?

Based on your description, he will in no way play for the Cowboys. So the million dollar question is why is he still on the roster?

The answer has to be that the Cowboys think he can overcome his injuries and contribute to the team.

I understand what you're saying, but the Cowboys' actions in paying him to stay with the team and not drafting another running back suggest they don't think the injuries are something that can't be overcome.

I have never said he'll never play for the Cowboys. IF I have said in the past that he won't make the team, this is mere opinion (I'm not someone who puts "in my opinion" at the end of every post I make, I guess i expect people to know mostly everything on here is opinion when discussing the future). Most of what I say about Williams is me countering other opinions when people start threads like this. That is all. We had him on the practice squad last year, that's about as far as he has got with this team and I think it's the right decision. Despite them liking him, he hasn't cracked the lineup.

 

[TrailBlazer]

lol.....I don't think either will start and there is a good chance both won't be on the roster.

I'd take those bets.

Randle is the first out the door if something happened.

 

[tyke1doe]

All players with knee injuries go though a time of over-thinking the injury when they return. Williams was pushed to return too soon so it was even worse for him.

To his credit, Mattjames did give you a link. However, I agree with you. I've heard other athletes say they were concerned about how their damaged knees, legs, etc., would hold up once they got back on the field.

I think that's normal.

 

[tyke1doe]

I have never said he'll never play for the Cowboys. IF I have said in the past that he won't make the team, this is mere opinion (I'm not someone who puts "in my opinion" at the end of every post I make, I guess i expect people to know mostly everything on here is opinion when discussing the future). Most of what I say about Williams is me countering other opinions when people start threads like this. That is all. We had him on the practice squad last year, that's about as far as he has got with this team and I think it's the right decision. Despite them liking him, he hasn't cracked the lineup.

I appreciate and honor your opinion. I understand it perfectly. It's similar to how I feel about Sean Lee - great player but can't stay healthy.

So I'm really not taking exception to your opinion. For me, though, I'm saying the Cowboys see something in him to invest the time and the money and a roster spot on him. I think they believe he can recover from his injuries and be productive.

But you are correct. He has yet to prove that so, again, I can't argue against your point because it's based in the reality of Ryan Williams' career to this point.

 

[Idgit]

then that is scary if he is the best RB we have on this team.

I didn't say he was the best RB on the team. I said he might be the best in terms of running with the ball in his hands, but it's pretty clear from the context of that quote that there's a lot more that goes into being a RB than just running the ball.

And it's not scary at all. He can run the ball.

Honestly, I care more about pass protection than I do about running the football, anyway. You know I don't think rushing effectiveness means much outside of goal line and short yardage. We've talked about that many times. I'm just sharing my thoughts on Williams as a prospect. He's a bit of a dark horse pet cat for me, because I like his attitude, I like his rushing style, and I appreciate his back story. If I'm a betting man, I think Randle earns the starting job. I think McFadden ends up giving us some 3rd down snaps, and I think Williams is a long shot to make the roster.

But he same token, if he's learned to pass pass protect--and that's a big if after so many years working at it--I can see him being a carry-the-load type of running back. He's got that kind of ability if he can prove that he's not a liability in protection.

 

[HellCrowe]

I will say this I hope it is the last year he has been in the NFL since 2011 and what has he done? Hell we may as well be talking about Matt Johnson, a guy who coaches felt had potential but never did anything. Sooner or later a player must show something. Pre season football vs 2nd and 3rd string players many who are now flipping burgers is not that impressive

I haven't been keeping up with the board especially your or other people's"feelings" on the RB position. Why? Because frankly, I don't want to read whining all the damn time.

The Cowboys are known to take chances. You see it in the players we draft and in this situation with our current RB position. Now, I'm not sure who you want at RB but we have 3 that the Team wants to take a chance on. Whether it's Randle, Williams, or Mcfadden to start will be seen. Let's wait for training camp and some preseason games to play out first. AP isn't going anywhere and Jerry has made it clear a 1st is there if they take it. At the mean time, this is the hand we, the fans are given and we just need to wait it out.

 

[Idgit]

I appreciate and honor your opinion. I understand it perfectly. It's similar to how I feel about Sean Lee - great player but can't stay healthy.

So I'm really not taking exception to your opinion. For me, though, I'm saying the Cowboys see something in him to invest the time and the money and a roster spot into him. I think they believe he can recover from his injuries and be productive.

But you are correct. He has yet to prove that so, again, I can't argue against your point because it's based in the reality of Ryan Williams' career to this point.

Except for the stuff he's making up about his confidence.

 

[Doomsday101]

I hope he is given a chance to shine. A lot of members on this board are really undervaluing his skillset as a runner. He is a lot better than some of these armchair QB's think.

I have no doubt he will be given a chance. I would hope people would understand why some are very skeptical about Williams. He was drafted in 2011 today is now 2015 and in that time he has 164 yards and a 2.8 avg and that is it. We can say he had injury problem it happens but for a team who is looking to run it is hard to put much faith into a guy with this track record.

 

[mattjames2010]

Not too interested in quibbling over your original quote. He wasn't injury plagued in college, and he doesn't have confidence problems. You're simply taking things out of context on purpose, which is not an actual argument.

It's your prerogative if you've dismissed the player for a non-existent reason. And it's fine if you simply overlook the quotes from the same guy that make that obvious. The only real question is whether or not he can play and run hard for the Cowboys this season, and we won't know that until camp starts. I can wait.

What am I taking out of context here? He suffered a hamstring injury in 2010, it brought his production down his sophomore year in college. He then injured his knee his rookie season, injured against his second year in the league, had a knee flare up and was out for the season for unknown reasons. He had an interview last year discussing his 2013 season, he was unwilling to get into reasons why he didn't play in 2013: Is it really a leap to say that there was tension between he and the coaching staff in Arizona that season?

As for his scared comment, nothing was taken out of context there either. He went on about how he was self-conscious about his knee, this was out of context how? This does display confidence issues. Whether you think it's justifiable, that's purely just disagreement. I have that as a red flag with a player who is often times injured.

 

[mattjames2010]

Except for the stuff he's making up about his confidence.

Not making a single thing up about his confidence. He's admitted to playing scared, he then had a knee flare up that the coaching staff didn't think was serious and Williams also admitted to not being serious since he said he was healthy for the 2013 season, but was on crutches in the 2013 preseason.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with saying that he has shown signs of not coming off injuries well mentally. The same is said about Claiborne and it's accepted here, and there is less evidence of this outside of reporters and a few coaches saying they THINK he has confidence issues. That is accepted here, but something coming directly from a players mouth is now "out of context"?

The guy is surrounded with question marks. If you don't think those comments he made are a big deal, that's fine. They are for me, and this is merely just opinion. He may not even make the practice squad next season, doesn't mean it's wrong you had the opinion that you do. He may make the team, doesn't mean it's wrong I have this opinion of Williams.

 

[Doomsday101]

I haven't been keeping up with the board especially your or other people's"feelings" on the RB position. Why? Because frankly, I don't want to read whining all the damn time.

The Cowboys are known to take chances. You see it in the players we draft and in this situation with our current RB position. Now, I'm not sure who you want at RB but we have 3 that the Team wants to take a chance on. Whether it's Randle, Williams, or Mcfadden to start will be seen. Let's wait for training camp and some preseason games to play out first. AP isn't going anywhere and Jerry has made it clear a 1st is there if they take it. At the mean time, this is the hand we, the fans are given and we just need to wait it out.

Frankly I'm not sure, right now we have 2 bust and 2 JAGS on a team who ran more than we threw this is not very comforting to say well in 1 season in college Williams was very good. I don't care about his college play this is not college. McFadden was great in college and so what it does not mean anything. I expect Williams to get a chance to prove himself but when people are saying BS like secret weapon or he is the best pure RB based on what? Really what is it based on a pre season game vs scrubs?

I do agree the Cowboys are taking a major gamble and putting it on the shoulders of guys who have not done squat and we are to act as if hey they are great? Come on

 

[TrailBlazer]

He has 58 NFL carries what eye test? I kind of expect a RB who was drafted in 2011 to have done something worth while before I get excited about it. If he was as good as some feel then there was no reason under the sun he should not have been able to beat out Randle or Dunbar. His running in college may have been very good but that is been the case for other RB who just failed in the NFL.

Again not trying to be cold hearted towards this guy but potential is not enough not after this length of time.

Preseason. Last year. He was excellent. Idc if it's preseason or not, if you pay attention you can get a feel for what a player can be. He looked like a starter should look playing against backups. But he can't block very well and he offers next to nothing on special teams. This is what kept him off the team. Now that we've lost murray, williams chances are better.

 

[Idgit]

What am I taking out of context here? He suffered a hamstring injury in 2010, it brought his production down his sophomore year in college. He then injured his knee his rookie season, injured against his second year in the league, had a knee flare up and was out for the season for unknown reasons. He had an interview last year discussing his 2013 season, he was unwilling to get into reasons why he didn't play in 2013: Is it really a leap to say that there was tension between he and the coaching staff in Arizona that season?

As for his scared comment, nothing was taken out of context there either. He went on about how he was self-conscious about his knee, this was out of context how? This does display confidence issues. Whether you think it's justifiable, that's purely just disagreement. I have that as a red flag with a player who is often times injured.

It ought to be pretty clear from the posts we've already exchange exactly what you're taking out of context. Let's just leave those stand as they are and people can draw their own conclusions.

I did note that you completely disregarded the long list of quotes from the player regarding his mindset and what he actually has to say about his confidence and his chances to contribute in Dallas.

 

[Common Sense]

Since becoming healthy, Williams has been beaten out of a roster spot by Joseph Randle, Lance Dunbar, Andre Ellington, and Stepfan Taylor. Let's all take some time to think about that.

 

[Doomsday101]

I didn't say he was the best RB on the team. I said he might be the best in terms of running with the ball in his hands, but it's pretty clear from the context of that quote that there's a lot more that goes into being a RB than just running the ball.

And it's not scary at all. He can run the ball.

Honestly, I care more about pass protection than I do about running the football, anyway. You know I don't think rushing effectiveness means much outside of goal line and short yardage. We've talked about that many times. I'm just sharing my thoughts on Williams as a prospect. He's a bit of a dark horse pet cat for me, because I like his attitude, I like his rushing style, and I appreciate his back story. If I'm a betting man, I think Randle earns the starting job. I think McFadden ends up giving us some 3rd down snaps, and I think Williams is a long shot to make the roster.

But he same token, if he's learned to pass pass protect--and that's a big if after so many years working at it--I can see him being a carry-the-load type of running back. He's got that kind of ability if he can prove that he's not a liability in protection.

He can run the ball? He has 2.8 carry avg that is it. He played well in the last pre season game when scrubs are on the field before the start of the reg season? I'm sorry but talk about reaching? He has not do nothing at all in the NFL and has been in the league since 2011 and we are counting on him? That is a joke. Lets get Matt Johnson in here as well he has done just as much.

 

[TrailBlazer]

Frankly I'm not sure, right now we have 2 bust and 2 JAGS on a team who ran more than we threw this is not very comforting to say well in 1 season in college Williams was very good. I don't care about his college play this is not college. McFadden was great in college and so what it does not mean anything. I expect Williams to get a chance to prove himself but when people are saying BS like secret weapon or he is the best pure RB based on what? Really what is it based on a pre season game vs scrubs?

I do agree the Cowboys are taking a major gamble and putting it on the shoulders of guys who have not done squat and we are to act as if hey they are great? Come on

I think whoever the next back is will be a product of the oline. They will make whoever look like an all pro.