DMN Blog: Workout wonder Jason Williams is 'raw ... in a good way'

[WoodysGirl]

2:16 PM Fri, May 01, 2009 | Permalink | Yahoo! Buzz
Tim MacMahon E-mail News tips

It's Reggie Herring's job to make sure that Jason Williams isn't remembered as a workout warrior.

Williams wasn't invited to the combine, but his draft stock soared after a phenomenal display of athleticism at his pro day. He ran a 4.49 40, posted a 39-inch vertical and did 26 bench-press reps. LB Aaron Curry, who went fourth overall to the Seahawks, posted the best 40 time (4.56) and vertical jump (37 inches) among linebackers at the combine. The LB high for bench-press reps at the combine was 30.

Williams' athleticism was the primary reason the Cowboys picked him early in the third round. He has the potential to be a difference maker, but he's not ready right now to play a significant defensive role.

"He's raw, but that's in a good way," Herring said. "He doesn't have any bad habits. You get to start from scratch with these guys."


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[hendog]

It seems that mcmahon is determined to pound our draft into the dirt.

 

[dmq]

I don't get this raw comment. What you don't develop bad technique if you have superior athletic ability? They are all raw.

 

[BigDinAZ]

Is this a good thing?

 

[speedkilz88]

I don't get this raw comment. What you don't develop bad technique if you have superior athletic ability? They are all raw.

I think he meant that since he didn't play a typical LB spot in college he doesn't have some other techniques ingrained in his brain which could confuse a guy when the nfl teaches something different.

 

[28 Joker]

Why did Dallas say that Williams would compete for the nickel LB job?

This guy will see the field this year. His presence will be felt.

I'm willing to say that with confidence.

 

[WoodysGirl]

MySA Blog

Cowboys like top pick's confidence
By Tom Orsborn on May 1, 09 01:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

IRVING - In an interview with the Express-News earlier this week, Cowboys third-round pick Jason Williams called himself a "great player."

Judging by comments from his position coach, the Cowboys have no problem with the former Western Illinois star's swagger.
"When you get at this level, you better have confidence, or you are going to really get shot up," Dallas linebackers coach Reggie Herring said. " Guys that have a little more confidence than other guys, that's a plus. But you've got to back that confidence up with hard work and stability and be consistent in your work habits. So far he's done that."

Some fans questioned whether a player from a Football Championship Subdivision school should show so much bravado. Herring, though, doesn't see it that way.

"The small school-big school (thing) can be a distraction or a factor if you let it," Herring said. "It's really on the individual person, his maturity level, his confidence level. They are all different regardless of what division you played at. The maturity level of an individual has nothing to do with what school level you played at.

"Having said that, some people it might affect who might lack a little bit of confidence, but I don't see that in Jason. He's a big, physical kid. He's as big and as fast as anyone out here. I don't know why he would be nervous. I haven't seen that so far."

Herring called Williams "raw, but in a good way."

"He doesn't have any bad habits," Herring said.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

I want a football player... Hopefully he'll turn into a "football player".

 

[TellerMorrow34]

I actually think this kid is going to turn out to be a really great player for us. I just have that feeling about him.

 

[WoodysGirl]

I actually think this kid is going to turn out to be a really great player for us. I just have that feeling about him.

It's called gas. Drink some water and burp it out..

 

[zeromaster]

It seems that mcmahon is determined to pound our draft into the dirt.

There's one thing McMahon can pound into the dirt, but since this is a family-oriented program...

 

[28 Joker]

Jason Williams was more than a "workout wonder".

The guy was the best player on his team. He is a football player. He just played at Western Illinois.

You don't go from Western Illinois to the early third round if you are just a "work out wonder". This guy doesn't escape the third round. He may need some polishing, but he's not just an "athlete". He's an athletic football player.

Lawrence Sidbury Jr. fell to the fourth round for a reason after his strong workouts. Everyone was passing on him.

Williams showed enough on film to get drafted in round 3.

Jason Williams was a consensus Alll-American. He was an unanimous All-Gateway Conference 1st team player. He finished 4th in all the FCS for the Buck Buchanan Award, given to the top defensive player in the FCS.

 

[speedkilz88]

Jason Williams was more than a "workout wonder".

The guy was the best player on his team. He is a football player. He just played at Western Illinois.

You don't go from Western Illinois to the early third round if you are just a "work out wonder". This guy doesn't escape the third round. He may need some polishing, but he's not just an "athlete". He's an athletic football player.

Lawrence Sidbury Jr. fell to the fourth round for a reason after his strong workouts. Everyone was passing on him.

Williams showed enough on film to get drafted in round 3.

Jason Williams was a consensus Alll-American. He was an unanimous All-Gateway Conference 1st team player. He finished 4th in all the FCS for the Buck Buchanan Award, given to the top defensive player in the FCS.

Did you copy/paste your own comments? Because I could have sworn I read this already.