Could R Willams be our secret weapon?

[Fletch]

He has game and a strong skill set. His issue has been staying on the field. But then again he went unclaimed all year on the practice squad. Assuming he's now 100% healthy I'm expecting him to be a key contributor.

Thoughts - Opinions?

He's in my stable of pet cats.

 

[HellCrowe]

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

That's justifiable. For the most part I agree with you. Running style is preference. All that "it" factor is a person's prefernce. None of our current RBS have really done anything. However, before we start giving draft picks and trading players away let's see what we've got. It would actually be nice to add one more to the competition but I am not sure that one other RB (not named AP) won't have the same questions as the ones we have now.

 

[HellCrowe]

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.

And yet... yet... we signed him for 2 more years. Mind Blown!!! Whaaaat!?

 

[tyke1doe]

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

But that too is a matter of interpretation. If you listen to many athletes who have had to recover after an injury, they've expressed self doubts. Some interpret that as a lack of confidence.

I'm not going to argue over interpretations about confidence.

 

[Doomsday101]

That's justifiable. For the most part I agree with you. Running style is preference. All that "it" factor is a person's prefernce. None of our current RBS have really done anything. However, before we start giving draft picks and trading players away let's see what we've got. It would actually be nice to add one more to the competition but I am not sure that one other RB (not named AP) won't have the same questions as the ones we have now.

I'm not in the AP camp not looking to give up top picks for a 30 year old back even one named Peterson. To me this is a scary situation because only RB that we currently have that I trust to be able to run, catch and block is McFadden. Williams at this stage is just hope. His combine numbers nothing jumps out at me, he is 4.61 40 runner so he does not have this great breakaway speed.

People are saying if you don't like him your just being a downer or complaining? That is not the intent the intent is to see reality for what it is and right now I have to say prove it because thus far he has done nothing to warrant this type of praise.

 

[mattjames2010]

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.

I'm not concerned with his confidence when he's had hardly any playing time in 2 years, my concern is his confidence when he has another knee flare up and how he responds. That's where my worry comes from, and I think it's absolutely justifiable. It's also concerning that he fell out of favor with a coaching staff that had a revolving door of RBs when he was supposedly healthy enough to play.

If he proves me wrong, good. Think I'll be complaining if he gets a roster spot and produces? Good for him and good for us.

 

[HellCrowe]

I'm not in the AP camp not looking to give up top picks for a 30 year old back even one named Peterson. To me this is a scary situation because only RB that we currently have that I trust to be able to run, catch and block is McFadden. Williams at this stage is just hope. His combine numbers nothing jumps out at me, he is 4.61 40 runner so he does not have this great breakaway speed.

People are saying if you don't like him your just being a downer or complaining? That is not the intent the intent is to see reality for what it is and right now I have to say prove it because thus far he has done nothing to warrant this type of praise.

I don't know how to help you man. Looks like you're trying to find answers right now but it can't be helped. So, what is it that you want? I suggest not putting too much in to what others are saying because like all of us, we are still trying to find that replacement because we all have that missing part in our heart. oh Murray! Whhy?

 

[Idgit]

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.

I can't argue agains those stats. They are what they are. But, yeah, I do think he can run the ball effectively in this league and that he can do it at a high level. I'm basing my opinion off of his work in college and in Dallas in the preseason, and, yeah, I know it's not a big sample. But it's not like there weren't a number of other teams interested in the guy when he was on our PS last season (that was confirmed in the Lindsey Cash interview). Somebody, somewhere must be seeing things they like, as well. And there's also the extension and the guaranteed money in Dallas to consider.

Nobody's disputing that this guy has had injury problems. Or if they are, they shouldn't be.

 

[TrailBlazer]

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.

Somehow I had not seen that quote from Stephen. Interesting. It's clear they think he can help the team this year.

 

[mattjames2010]

I'm not in the AP camp not looking to give up top picks for a 30 year old back even one named Peterson. To me this is a scary situation because only RB that we currently have that I trust to be able to run, catch and block is McFadden. Williams at this stage is just hope. His combine numbers nothing jumps out at me, he is 4.61 40 runner so he does not have this great breakaway speed.

People are saying if you don't like him your just being a downer or complaining? That is not the intent the intent is to see reality for what it is and right now I have to say prove it because thus far he has done nothing to warrant this type of praise.

I will say this, I think he looks a lot faster than 4.61. That is just "eye test" though, I know. But it's kinda the same with Randle, I think Randle looks faster than his 40 time as well.

But yeah, their speed isn't eye popping or anything.

 

[Idgit]

But that too is a matter of interpretation. If you listen to many athletes who have had to recover after an injury, they've expressed self doubts. Some interpret that as a lack of confidence.

I'm not going to argue over interpretations about confidence.

There's interpreting correctly, and then there's misinterpretation. Just because it's a matter of interpretation doesn't mean he's making a point. I've pointed out above just why I believe his interpretation is wrong. This player has his challenges to make the roster, but it's not because his head is not right or he's not willing to put himself out there. This is a guy who really wants to play and to run hard and play well.

 

[Idgit]

Somehow I had not seen that quote from Stephen. Interesting. It's clear they think he can help the team this year.

He's got a shot.

For better or worse, the team does seem to think they have candidates who can fill that RB role in-house. I'm sure they'll be looking for good opportunities to upgrade, too. We're deep enough this season that we'll be cutting some good players. There might be an opportunity to swing a decent trade at cut-downs. We've also got comp picks coming next season and a full, young roster. Flipping a pick for a player now is not out of the question.

I think we'll sit tight and see how what we've got looks in camp and early in preseason. As we get nearer the end of the season, a team that's deep with RBs and that doesn't lose one to injury will probably be willing to make a reasonable deal if we really don't see enough from a couple of the guys on the roster. They're RBs. We'll have an option to pick one up fairly effectively if we really want to add one for the season.

 

[TrailBlazer]

I'm not concerned with his confidence when he's had hardly any playing time in 2 years, my concern is his confidence when he has another knee flare up and how he responds. That's where my worry comes from, and I think it's absolutely justifiable. It's also concerning that he fell out of favor with a coaching staff that had a revolving door of RBs when he was supposedly healthy enough to play.

If he proves me wrong, good. Think I'll be complaining if he gets a roster spot and produces? Good for him and good for us.

There were reports that arizona tried to sign him off our PS midseason. Must not have fell out of favor too much.

 

[Idgit]

There were reports that arizona tried to sign him off our PS midseason. Must not have fell out of favor too much.

Lol, really? That hadn't even occurred to me. I wonder how that conversation might have gone?

 

[Doomsday101]

I don't know how to help you man. Looks like you're trying to find answers right now but it can't be helped. So, what is it that you want? I suggest not putting too much in to what others are saying because like all of us, we are still trying to find that replacement because we all have that missing part in our heart. oh Murray! Whhy?

No doubt about it when it comes to RB position I'm pretty uncomfortable and until we start seeing them on the field that is just the way it is going to be for myself and some others.

 

[Doomsday101]

I can't argue agains those stats. They are what they are. But, yeah, I do think he can run the ball effectively in this league and that he can do it at a high level. I'm basing my opinion off of his work in college and in Dallas in the preseason, and, yeah, I know it's not a big sample. But it's not like there weren't a number of other teams interested in the guy when he was on our PS last season (that was confirmed in the Lindsey Cash interview). Somebody, somewhere must be seeing things they like, as well. And there's also the extension and the guaranteed money in Dallas to consider.

Nobody's disputing that this guy has had injury problems. Or if they are, they shouldn't be.

I hear teams were interested yet no one specifies exactly which teams. Meantime as I have said last season we were a team who actually ran the ball more times than threw it. Heading into this season what was a strength is now a major question mark. Will one of the current guys step up? will Dallas look outside to someone else? Until these matters are settled and we see what they can do then I will have concerns.

 

[Zekeats]

I'd take those bets.

Randle is the first out the door if something happened.

Something already happened twice.

 

[Stash]

No doubt about it when it comes to RB position I'm pretty uncomfortable and until we start seeing them on the field that is just the way it is going to be for myself and some others.

I definitely agree with you here. McFadden especially scares me. He has a nice highlight reel based on college and seven years in the league, but looking at his actual numbers, those highlights are few and far between.

 

[Doomsday101]

I definitely agree with you here. McFadden especially scares me. He has a nice highlight reel based on college and seven years in the league, but looking at his actual numbers, those highlights are few and far between.

McFadden scares me as well and the real scary part is I have more trust in him and any of the other RB on the current roster. I at least know he will not get my QB killed since I know he is good at picking up the blitz. I know he is good at coming out of the back field and making plays. His running he is capable of taking it the distance but also not hard to bring down. I think you get into situations where you need to grind it out I'm not sure he can do it. Then there is the health issue.

 

[tyke1doe]

You started with an inaccurate representation of Ryan Williams, since he was neither injury not confidence plague from his sophomore year in college, and you went from there. Thomas Jones, though, is actually a reasonable comparison for what Williams upside might be. He didn't have the significant single injury that Williams has dealt with, but he did come into the league in AZ, very highly regarded, was plagued with injury problems, bounced around before he got to the Bears where his career really took hold. That's pretty much the high water mark for what we might expect for Williams, if we're lucky.

I realize you've got a lot emotionally invested in none of the backs on this current roster being capable of carrying a full workload. The reality is, they each have significant question marks, and I'm not sold on any of them, either. But you've leapt to some really unsupported conclusions about Ryan Williams, and you're trying to spread it from thread to thread. He doesn't have confidence problems. He did have a very significant injury which took him a long time to overcome and put an end to the high potential he had coming out at Arizona. His pass protection has not been good enough, and he has had to work on STs because he gave nothing in that area coming out of college. That's the book on Williams. The stuff you're trying to project about his confidence or his injury history is unnecessary, and it's not accurate.









And, my personal favorite:



I've told you in other threads on this topic. You really need to do more homework on this player, because he's not what you're characterizing him to be. If he doesn't make it in the league, it's not going to be because of a confidence problem. If you haven't seen it yet, just listen to him talk. You can hear in his voice that he believes in himself and that he believes in the opportunity he's got in Dallas.

http://www.dallascowboys.com/video/2015/03/20/blitz-ryan-williams-beyond-gridiron

Thanks for the additional information on RW. I'm going to go back and read the link in its entirety as I too believe (this being the operative word) RW will make a contribution to this team in a big way.