DMN Blog: Was Jerry Jones serious about moving Roy Williams to LB?

[DallasEast]

What the hell is Jerry doing in moving Roy to LB?
Jerry should not be into the process of changing a players position. The only thing he should be involved in with this matter is if Wade comes to him and tells him about the plan. Jerry should not be a guy in deciding if its good for Roy. He should not be that guy in the room saying "Yes this is a good idea" or "No it isn't a good idea"

Shouldn't Wade be the one saying **** about this.

This is the problem with this team Jerry.

Exactly.

 

[BrAinPaiNt]

What the hell is Jerry doing in moving Roy to LB?
Jerry should not be into the process of changing a players position. The only thing he should be involved in with this matter is if Wade comes to him and tells him about the plan. Jerry should not be a guy in deciding if its good for Roy. He should not be that guy in the room saying "Yes this is a good idea" or "No it isn't a good idea"

Shouldn't Wade be the one saying **** about this.

This is the problem with this team Jerry.

Only problem is that Jerry never said they were moving him to LB.

 

[InmanRoshi]

Just to play devil's advocate I think Donnie Edwards and Roy are about the same size. They are listed on NFL.com as 13 pounds different but honestly I don't think that's a big deal. I think Roy has shown he can put on the weight.

Maybe he could take over Burnett's role in the nickel if that's what Jerry was getting at.

I've also heard that by the end of the season Zach Thomas is usually in the 220 range.

 

[jobberone]

Some of you need to go back to school. SS's have been playing near the LOS since football began and there were no 'SS's'. There is nothing that says a safety must play here on spot X. They've been blitzing and doing all kinds of things for years. RW has been a 'rover' and played near the LOS before. They had to move him back with Zimmer's D because there was no pressure and we didn't have enough CBs to play period much less leave them on an island and/or play pressure D/one on one.

He's been in a 'LB' position many times. It's not always easy to see on TV. But you can't leave him there as teams will adjust and either run over him or force him to cover a RB or fast TE which he has a lot of trouble with.

This team needs someone to play Ed Reed's role or the like player. We need a good or better SS and FS or better yet one who can play both roles.

Kinda makes you appreciate what one certain safety did for this team doesn't it?

Unless they can find a safety out there to compliment Hamlin then they are going to be forced to go with RW at least a year. I doubt they will cut RW before the draft either. Even then it would be a big gamble to depend on a rookie safety to be able to cover and defend the run. I look for RW to be here unless they can find a replacement.

Personally I'd cut him and force the issue on finding a safety. It isn't like we can't play without him at all. You can buy two plus safeties for the amount he'll be paid this year.

PS: we need an ILB who can cover and play the run in the 3-4 as much or more than a SS who can play near the LOS. And for an ILB to be great in the 3-4 the NT has to stop or at least slow those inside OL. It all starts up front.

 

[TellerMorrow34]

First off I haven't seen any quote, or interview, where Jerry said the words Linebacker and Roy in the same paragraph, let alone the same sentence. There for this is, as usual, nothing but pure speculation on the part of people who don't know and are fishing to make a story.

Second off I can't believe how people continue to read quotes that don't say what the media member is implying, or attempting to imply, and yet these people continue to believe the media members have made some startling discovery.


I can do that too.

Guess what guys? I was just in the store and I ran into my favorite 'unnamed source' and he told me that Jerry is going to move Williams to linebacker, Ware to Defensive end, the Cowboys are moving back to 4-3 and they're going to run a triple option and wild cat formation exclusively on offense. So look for Patrick Crayton, Stanback, and TO to run a lot more of the 'QB' position in our offense this season.


And you know what I said HAS to be true cause I've cited my unnamed source(s).

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Some of you need to go back to school. SS's have been playing near the LOS since football began and there were no 'SS's'. There is nothing that says a safety must play here on spot X. They've been blitzing and doing all kinds of things for years. RW has been a 'rover' and played near the LOS before. They had to move him back with Zimmer's D because there was no pressure and we didn't have enough CBs to play period much less leave them on an island and/or play pressure D/one on one.

He's been in a 'LB' position many times. It's not always easy to see on TV. But you can't leave him there as teams will adjust and either run over him or force him to cover a RB or fast TE which he has a lot of trouble with.

This team needs someone to play Ed Reed's role or the like player. We need a good or better SS and FS or better yet one who can play both roles.

Kinda makes you appreciate what one certain safety did for this team doesn't it?

Unless they can find a safety out there to compliment Hamlin then they are going to be forced to go with RW at least a year. I doubt they will cut RW before the draft either. Even then it would be a big gamble to depend on a rookie safety to be able to cover and defend the run. I look for RW to be here unless they can find a replacement.

Personally I'd cut him and force the issue on finding a safety. It isn't like we can't play without him at all. You can buy two plus safeties for the amount he'll be paid this year.

PS: we need an ILB who can cover and play the run in the 3-4 as much or more than a SS who can play near the LOS. And for an ILB to be great in the 3-4 the NT has to stop or at least slow those inside OL. It all starts up front.

Ratliff forces constant double teams. We just need a backup that can approximate that production because when Rat came off the field this season we felt it.

 

[wileedog]

Personally I'd cut him and force the issue on finding a safety. It isn't like we can't play without him at all. You can buy two plus safeties for the amount he'll be paid this year.

Well past time to do this.

 

[Stash]

Ratliff forces constant double teams. We just need a backup that can approximate that production because when Rat came off the field this season we felt it.

No offense to Ratliff who's a heckuva player but I'd prefer the team draft a true NT type and move Rat to DE.

 

[DallasEast]

Some of you need to go back to school. SS's have been playing near the LOS since football began and there were no 'SS's'. There is nothing that says a safety must play here on spot X. They've been blitzing and doing all kinds of things for years. RW has been a 'rover' and played near the LOS before. They had to move him back with Zimmer's D because there was no pressure and we didn't have enough CBs to play period much less leave them on an island and/or play pressure D/one on one.

He's been in a 'LB' position many times. It's not always easy to see on TV. But you can't leave him there as teams will adjust and either run over him or force him to cover a RB or fast TE which he has a lot of trouble with.

This team needs someone to play Ed Reed's role or the like player. We need a good or better SS and FS or better yet one who can play both roles.

Kinda makes you appreciate what one certain safety did for this team doesn't it?

Unless they can find a safety out there to compliment Hamlin then they are going to be forced to go with RW at least a year. I doubt they will cut RW before the draft either. Even then it would be a big gamble to depend on a rookie safety to be able to cover and defend the run. I look for RW to be here unless they can find a replacement.

Personally I'd cut him and force the issue on finding a safety. It isn't like we can't play without him at all. You can buy two plus safeties for the amount he'll be paid this year.

PS: we need an ILB who can cover and play the run in the 3-4 as much or more than a SS who can play near the LOS. And for an ILB to be great in the 3-4 the NT has to stop or at least slow those inside OL. It all starts up front.

Good post. I've asked the question on the forum several times in the past.

What is a free safety and what is a strong safety?

Typically, a free safety primarily supports the cornerbacks in defending against the pass. A strong safety is involved in pass defense, but is utilized very often to defend against the run. It doesn't even MATTER what defensive formation it is, 3-4, 4-3, etc.

What often gets me is when someone begins an argument which something like, "Well, Ed Reed can blah, blah, blah!" Well, gosh darn it. Ed Reed's a free safety and a Hall of Fame caliber one at that. You can't make that kind of comparison between Reed and Roy Williams because Roy Williams' strength isn't at free safety--even though he has played well at that position early in his career when Darren Woodson (a.k.a. STRONG safety) accompanied him in the defensive backfield.

His strength is at strong safety, but to gain the most dividends out of positioning a strong safety well, your cornerbacks and free safety have to do their jobs defending against the pass. If they do not, what choice does a defensive coordinator have BUT to position his strong safety back into more and more pass defensive alignments--which, in turn, takes away from his strengths and heightens his weaknesses.

I'm not defending Roy Williams. He has issues too, but if he's going to be criticized, his critics should at least know what the responsibilities of a strong safety (and a free safety) are first.

Truly, I blame the lack of basic understanding on too much video gaming. In the video game world, any safety can defend against the pass like Ed Reed. That's just does not what really happens on ANY level of real life football.

 

[jobberone]

Ratliff forces constant double teams. We just need a backup that can approximate that production because when Rat came off the field this season we felt it.

Ratliff splits double teams and plays a 3 technique. He doesn't stuff double teams and/or hold his man up the majority of the time. And he is not the optimal type of body or ability to do that IMO.

I realize we do not play a 2 technique most of the time ala Parcells. And we do play it enough. We just don't have a big enough guy who can stand his ground enough. And playing the 3 let's big guys get on the LBs which is causing problems for us. Zach is just not big enough to fight those guys off well enough. Bradie has problems with it as well.

There are times you cannot run around blocks. I'm sure some of the people here who know this stuff better than me could explain it better.

 

[jobberone]

Well past time to do this.

I ain't going there.

 

[wileedog]

I ain't going there.

Hey, you wrote it first :

And if anyone wants to hypothesize about actually moving Roy to LBer, then we would have been smarter just keeping Ayodele, who was cheaper and has made just as many big plays the last 3 years as Roy.

None.

 

[jobberone]

Good post. I've asked the question on the forum several times in the past.

What is a free safety and what is a strong safety?

Typically, a free safety primarily supports the cornerbacks in defending against the pass. A strong safety is involved in pass defense, but is utilized very often to defend against the run. It doesn't even MATTER what defensive formation it is, 3-4, 4-3, etc.

What often gets me is when someone begins an argument which something like, "Well, Ed Reed can blah, blah, blah!" Well, gosh darn it. Ed Reed's a free safety and a Hall of Fame caliber one at that. You can't make that kind of comparison between Reed and Roy Williams because Roy Williams' strength isn't at free safety--even though he has played well at that position early in his career when Darren Woodson (a.k.a. STRONG safety) accompanied him in the defensive backfield.

His strength is at strong safety, but to gain the most dividends out of positioning a strong safety well, your cornerbacks and free safety have to do their jobs defending against the pass. If they do not, what choice does a defensive coordinator have BUT to position his strong safety back into more and more pass defensive alignments--which, in turn, takes away from his strengths and heightens his weaknesses.

I'm not defending Roy Williams. He has issues too, but if he's going to be criticized, his critics should at least know what the responsibilities of a strong safety (and a free safety) are first.

Truly, I blame the lack of basic understanding on too much video gaming. In the video game world, any safety can defend against the pass like Ed Reed. That's just does not what really happens on ANY level of real life football.

That's why I laugh when people want Zimmer back. RW is not made for the Tampa cover 2. He just has too much trouble covering. And it's not just his physical skills. It's his ability to read the offense and know his role quickly enough. He's just not an instinctive FS. He is a pretty good pure SS but the NFL has changed to the point you really can't have pure SS's on the field all the time.

When you could knock people around all the way down the field until the ball was in the air you could either get to the QB in time or could just defend the pass. They slowly eroded that ability and I think it was for the best in terms of allowing more explosion in the game. It's even changed the nature of running the ball. A lot. It has put a lot of pressure on DBs.

We are in need of some cover safeties. I used to say we needed cover safeties, then cover safeties who could tackle. But now the entire defense with some exceptions needs to learn to tackle. In actuality I'd be happy with 4-5 CBs who could tackle and forget all about the huge SS. Too hard to find someone that can do it all and be that big.

Think what this team could have done with an Ed Reed back there.

 

[jobberone]

Hey, you wrote it first :

And if anyone wants to hypothesize about actually moving Roy to LBer, then we would have been smarter just keeping Ayodele, who was cheaper and has made just as many big plays the last 3 years as Roy.

None.

You noticed that, too. I was talking down about the guy the entire year and no one seemed to notice. He just doesn't need to be in that defense, IMO. He isn't too bad in the 3-4 using mostly a 2 technique. He isn't big or fast enough go play in Wade's D. Give Wade credit for dumping him.

 

[GimmeTheBall!]

Was Jerry Jones serious about moving Roy Williams to LB?

9:46 AM Wed, Jan 21, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Tim MacMahon http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/email-icon.jpg E-mail http://www.***BANNED-URL***/blogs/images/email-icon.jpg News tips

Let's hope not. Cross your fingers that Jerry's hint about making Roy Williams a linebacker was just a way to avoid saying No. 31/38's days in Dallas are done.

If Roy Williams has a future as a linebacker, it isn't in a 3-4 scheme. And the Cowboys would be foolish to pay Williams $6.6 million to prove that he can't play linebacker in Wade Phillips' system. If you don't want Williams at strong safety, cut him and create $2.2 million in salary cap room.

Williams can still be a force against the run, but not if he's expected to battle with offensive guards who outweigh him by 100 pounds play after play. It might make sense to convert a strong safety into a nickel/dime linebacker, except the Cowboys tried that for one season and spent the next spring scheming up ways to put Williams on the sideline in those packages.

Maybe Jerry was just joking.



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I laughed when i read this. Ol' Roy is a wee bit undersized for being an LB. but on second thought, what is the harm to try him out?
Jerra "Al Davis" Jones must be bored already.

 

[DallasEast]

That's why I laugh when people want Zimmer back. RW is not made for the Tampa cover 2. He just has too much trouble covering. And it's not just his physical skills. It's his ability to read the offense and know his role quickly enough. He's just not an instinctive FS. He is a pretty good pure SS but the NFL has changed to the point you really can't have pure SS's on the field all the time.

When you could knock people around all the way down the field until the ball was in the air you could either get to the QB in time or could just defend the pass. They slowly eroded that ability and I think it was for the best in terms of allowing more explosion in the game. It's even changed the nature of running the ball. A lot. It has put a lot of pressure on DBs.

We are in need of some cover safeties. I used to say we needed cover safeties, then cover safeties who could tackle. But now the entire defense with some exceptions needs to learn to tackle. In actuality I'd be happy with 4-5 CBs who could tackle and forget all about the huge SS. Too hard to find someone that can do it all and be that big.

Think what this team could have done with an Ed Reed back there.

With Reed playing way back, like he does in Baltimore, AND with Roy Williams playing up close?

My reaction--> "WOW"

 

[starfrombirth]

Listen, guys. I've been thinking about this for years. I think Roy would be perfect as a full-back/H-back. He used to like to hit, so he could have been a lead blocker. He also had decent but not great speed, so he can run wheel-routes and screens. It would have been perfect!

There. fixed it for ya!

 

[Doomsay]

Roy Williams never played with Wade as the defensive coordinator. During his brief stint under the new 3-4, he played with Brain Stewart, who couldn't get the best out of any of his players. The defense was also pretty conservative. It was only with Wade, did James start making a real impact at the LB position, let alone Roy. Wade even hid a lot of the weakness of Keith Davis.As long as Wade is coaching this defense, I would wait to see how Roy actually plays out in his system. I think he could actually be pretty good.

Seriously, Roy hasn't been a good safety for a while - he admitted that he was risk averse earlier in the year, and clearly hasn't been the presence around the LOS that people thought he would be despite changing the defense to accommodate his weaknesses. He shys away from blocking FB's and TE's, it's hard to envision him taking on a guard. Plus, his attitude sucks and his fellow players don't seem to respect him. Rip it!

 

[jobberone]

With Reed playing way back, like he does in Baltimore, AND with Roy Williams playing up close?

My reaction--> "WOW"

I'm not very enthusiastic about using RW close to the LOS on a regular basis. If I can think of ways to exploit that then I'm sure other OCs can hurt it. I do think he needs to play near the LOS more often than in the past. He's not going to play in the nickle or dime or whatever. That's 1/3 of the plays on defense at least. Unless he takes Burnett's job. I'd say less than 1/3 of the time say 1/2 of that would be the most you could play him at the LOS on average. Obviously different teams means different matchups and you never know when a team will take awhile to figure something out.

By and large we aren't talking a huge amount of plays for him. Of course I could be very wrong about that. I'm not exactly a defensive genius or any other kind.

 

[Doomsay]

I'm not very enthusiastic about using RW close to the LOS on a regular basis. If I can think of ways to exploit that then I'm sure other OCs can hurt it. I do think he needs to play near the LOS more often than in the past. He's not going to play in the nickle or dime or whatever. That's 1/3 of the plays on defense at least. Unless he takes Burnett's job. I'd say less than 1/3 of the time say 1/2 of that would be the most you could play him at the LOS on average. Obviously different teams means different matchups and you never know when a team will take awhile to figure something out.

By and large we aren't talking a huge amount of plays for him. Of course I could be very wrong about that. I'm not exactly a defensive genius or any other kind.

Good point, no matter the situation, smart OC's will try to pass knowing that Roy is in there - it's an automatic first down.

We could get a decent or a potential LB or SS with the $2.2 million saved, he did nothing in the games we played in this year and cost us when he played last year.