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Fixing The Problem
Roy Williams Vows To Eliminate Drops; Regain QB's Trust
Nick Eatman - Email
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
December 30, 2009 4:42 PM
IRVING, Texas - Like he's done all season long, Roy Williams spent the majority of the locker-room period Wednesday pointing the finger.
Once again, it was aimed right back at himself.
Williams knows there is a problem with his production. He knows he's the reason for it. But he also aims to fix it.
"I have to take my game to another level. It starts this Sunday," said Williams who has been rather inconsistent this season, with just 38 catches. "This is pretty much a playoff game for this football team. Hopefully, I can win back the confidence of my peers, my fans and even my family - they've been getting on me hard. I have to get these people off me. The only way I can do that is to play my game."
His game, obviously because of the position he plays, relies on him catching the football. That's been a surprising disappointment for Williams, who admits his recent struggles, but still has high confidence for that area of his game.
"It's just not working right now," Williams said. I still feel like I have the best hands in the league - top three at least. Today, I'm going to get back on the Juggs (machine), and get back to fundamentals. Hopefully it will pay off on Sunday."
Williams had a critical drop before halftime in Sunday's win over the Commanders, and has dropped other key passes in games this season. It's gotten so bad that even his mother has noticed.
But Williams, who said he will catch 100 passes a day after each practice this week, doesn't back down from his comments that he considers himself having among the best hands in the league.
"I believe it in my heart. But my mom told me that they said I lead the league in drops," Williams said. "I would've bet a whole game check that my name never would ever be in that sentence. But it is this year. I can't take things for granted. I can't take my hands for granted. I have to look the ball in and do the things I'm supposed to do. Once that gets going again, it will be a snowball effect and Roy will be back."
While Williams said his confidence in himself hasn't wavered, he's not sure about his quarterback Tony Romo's confidence in the wide receiver. However, if that indeed is the case, Williams said he would only blame himself.
"You know I have to get the confidence of my quarterback, because I didn't get a look after the first half," Williams said, referring to the Washington game. "I didn't get a look in the second half. That's telling me that my quarterback has lost confidence in me, and so has the coordinator as far as calling plays for me.
"That's not on them. I don't blame them. I blame myself. I've got to get my crap together and try to ride this thing and help us get into the playoffs."
Much of the criticism directed at Williams stems from his five-year, $45 million contract he signed last season after being traded from the Lions. Williams was expected to be the No. 1 receiver, but that role has clearly gone to Miles Austin, who has emerged as not only the go-to player on this offense, but one of the best in the league. Austin has exploded on the scene with 74 catches, 1,230 yards and 11 touchdowns, despite not starting the first four games.
Austin was rewarded on Tuesday with his first trip to the Pro Bowl. Meanwhile, Williams' numbers have suffered, catching just 38 passes for 596 yards, although he does have seven touchdowns.
Like all receivers, Williams wants more opportunities. But first, he knows he must make the most of the ones he's getting.
"If I make the opportunities in my favor, make the plays, make the three or four plays a game, then that will relate to maybe five the next game," said Williams. "Make those and that relates to eight or nine the next game. Then, boom, there we go."
And if not . . . Williams knows his job, at least as a starter, is in jeopardy.
"If I continue to do the things that I've been doing," Williams said. "…Then I'm going to mess around and be on the sideline, playing special teams."
http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/news.cfm?id=E1C1D619-CB25-585C-EADA1729D87B6E9F
Roy Williams Vows To Eliminate Drops; Regain QB's Trust
DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer
December 30, 2009 4:42 PM
IRVING, Texas - Like he's done all season long, Roy Williams spent the majority of the locker-room period Wednesday pointing the finger.
Once again, it was aimed right back at himself.
Williams knows there is a problem with his production. He knows he's the reason for it. But he also aims to fix it.
"I have to take my game to another level. It starts this Sunday," said Williams who has been rather inconsistent this season, with just 38 catches. "This is pretty much a playoff game for this football team. Hopefully, I can win back the confidence of my peers, my fans and even my family - they've been getting on me hard. I have to get these people off me. The only way I can do that is to play my game."
His game, obviously because of the position he plays, relies on him catching the football. That's been a surprising disappointment for Williams, who admits his recent struggles, but still has high confidence for that area of his game.
"It's just not working right now," Williams said. I still feel like I have the best hands in the league - top three at least. Today, I'm going to get back on the Juggs (machine), and get back to fundamentals. Hopefully it will pay off on Sunday."
Williams had a critical drop before halftime in Sunday's win over the Commanders, and has dropped other key passes in games this season. It's gotten so bad that even his mother has noticed.
But Williams, who said he will catch 100 passes a day after each practice this week, doesn't back down from his comments that he considers himself having among the best hands in the league.
"I believe it in my heart. But my mom told me that they said I lead the league in drops," Williams said. "I would've bet a whole game check that my name never would ever be in that sentence. But it is this year. I can't take things for granted. I can't take my hands for granted. I have to look the ball in and do the things I'm supposed to do. Once that gets going again, it will be a snowball effect and Roy will be back."
While Williams said his confidence in himself hasn't wavered, he's not sure about his quarterback Tony Romo's confidence in the wide receiver. However, if that indeed is the case, Williams said he would only blame himself.
"You know I have to get the confidence of my quarterback, because I didn't get a look after the first half," Williams said, referring to the Washington game. "I didn't get a look in the second half. That's telling me that my quarterback has lost confidence in me, and so has the coordinator as far as calling plays for me.
"That's not on them. I don't blame them. I blame myself. I've got to get my crap together and try to ride this thing and help us get into the playoffs."
Much of the criticism directed at Williams stems from his five-year, $45 million contract he signed last season after being traded from the Lions. Williams was expected to be the No. 1 receiver, but that role has clearly gone to Miles Austin, who has emerged as not only the go-to player on this offense, but one of the best in the league. Austin has exploded on the scene with 74 catches, 1,230 yards and 11 touchdowns, despite not starting the first four games.
Austin was rewarded on Tuesday with his first trip to the Pro Bowl. Meanwhile, Williams' numbers have suffered, catching just 38 passes for 596 yards, although he does have seven touchdowns.
Like all receivers, Williams wants more opportunities. But first, he knows he must make the most of the ones he's getting.
"If I make the opportunities in my favor, make the plays, make the three or four plays a game, then that will relate to maybe five the next game," said Williams. "Make those and that relates to eight or nine the next game. Then, boom, there we go."
And if not . . . Williams knows his job, at least as a starter, is in jeopardy.
"If I continue to do the things that I've been doing," Williams said. "…Then I'm going to mess around and be on the sideline, playing special teams."
http://www.dallascowboys.com/news/news.cfm?id=E1C1D619-CB25-585C-EADA1729D87B6E9F
