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Comparing Roy Williams to his high-pick peers
10:51 AM Wed, Jun 10, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Tim MacMahon/Blogger
Folks who support coachable WR Roy Williams often point out that his numbers through his first four seasons are comparable to T.O.'s at that point of his career. Williams had 3,652 yards and 28 TDs in his first four seasons, compared to 3,307 yards and 30 TDs for T.O.
The Roy rooters give Williams a pass for his sorry fifth season, since he was traded and then hobbled by a foot injury. Never mind that T.O. blew up for 1,451 yards and 13 TDs in his fifth season.
But that's not the only issue I have with the logic of comparing the early careers of Williams and T.O. Williams was expected to make an immediate impact as the seventh overall pick. T.O. was a third-round project playing in the shadow of Jerry Rice.
How about comparing Williams to the handful of top-10 picks over the last decade who became Pro Bowl-caliber receivers?
Larry Fitzgerald: 780/8, 1409/10, 946/6, 1409/10 - 4,544 yards, 34 TD
Andre Johnson: 976/4, 1142/6, 688/2, 1147/5 - 3,953 yards, 17 TD
Plaxico Burress: 273/0, 1008/6, 1325/7, 860/4 - 3,466, 17 TD
Torry Holt: 788/6, 1635/6, 1363/7, 1302/4 - 5,088 yards, 23 TD
Calvin Johnson: 756/4, 1331/12 - 2,087 yards, 16 TD (two seasons)
Roy Williams: 817/8, 687/8, 1310/7, 838/5 - 3,652 yards, 28 TD
Williams actually stacks up fairly well with this group. The difference, though, is that all these other receivers with the exception of Plaxico performed at an elite level in their fifth season.
There are excuses for Williams' struggles last season, but there's no reason he shouldn't play up to his pedigree after a full off-season with Tony Romo.
10:51 AM Wed, Jun 10, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! BuzzTim MacMahon/Blogger
Folks who support coachable WR Roy Williams often point out that his numbers through his first four seasons are comparable to T.O.'s at that point of his career. Williams had 3,652 yards and 28 TDs in his first four seasons, compared to 3,307 yards and 30 TDs for T.O.
The Roy rooters give Williams a pass for his sorry fifth season, since he was traded and then hobbled by a foot injury. Never mind that T.O. blew up for 1,451 yards and 13 TDs in his fifth season.
But that's not the only issue I have with the logic of comparing the early careers of Williams and T.O. Williams was expected to make an immediate impact as the seventh overall pick. T.O. was a third-round project playing in the shadow of Jerry Rice.
How about comparing Williams to the handful of top-10 picks over the last decade who became Pro Bowl-caliber receivers?
Larry Fitzgerald: 780/8, 1409/10, 946/6, 1409/10 - 4,544 yards, 34 TD
Andre Johnson: 976/4, 1142/6, 688/2, 1147/5 - 3,953 yards, 17 TD
Plaxico Burress: 273/0, 1008/6, 1325/7, 860/4 - 3,466, 17 TD
Torry Holt: 788/6, 1635/6, 1363/7, 1302/4 - 5,088 yards, 23 TD
Calvin Johnson: 756/4, 1331/12 - 2,087 yards, 16 TD (two seasons)
Roy Williams: 817/8, 687/8, 1310/7, 838/5 - 3,652 yards, 28 TD
Williams actually stacks up fairly well with this group. The difference, though, is that all these other receivers with the exception of Plaxico performed at an elite level in their fifth season.
There are excuses for Williams' struggles last season, but there's no reason he shouldn't play up to his pedigree after a full off-season with Tony Romo.
