News: DMN: Sturm: Breaking Down RB Ryan Williams

[pancakeman]

good article, as expected.

why isn't Williams on special teams? is he just too small?

 

[xwalker]

And it's sad that a 'fan' is apparently rooting for these things to happen so he can give everyone a "told ya so!"

You are making up things because I never said I was rooting for anything. I've been very Pro Collins/Green and have defended the Green pick in multiple posts.

I'm just pointing out that fan-logic is in play here. Fan-logic dictates that adding a 1st round and 3rd round talent must immediately make the OL better; however, in reality if Collins replaces Leary it is doubtful that Collins as a rookie plays better than Leary did in 2014. It is also doubtful that Green as a rookie is a better backup OT than Parnell was in 2014.

The Collins/Green picks are about the future. They should be upgrades to Leary/Free next season, but it's doubtful that they are significant upgrades this season.

I don't need to root for anything to happen in order to give out an "I told you so". Parnell signed a contract that was more than 2x overall and more than 2x in guaranteed money than Doug Free.

 

[Stash]

It was a strength of his coming out, anyway. From the relatively small sample we've seen in the pros, he knows where he's supposed to be and at least gets in the way. The biggest knock on Randle was the less than ideal speed.

In any event, they're both better at it than Williams is, which I guess is the point here. I still think that pass protection is the primary reason we picked up McFadden in the first place.

I think pass protection and breakaway speed (if he's still got it) will be the two factors that ultimately win McFadden the starting job (if no other running back is acquired). And then we'll all be rooting that the guy isn't in fact, washed up. Nobody more so than me!

 

[Stash]

You are making up things because I never said I was rooting for anything. I've been very Pro Collins/Green and have defended the Green pick in multiple posts.

You don't have to. It's clear in every post where you somehow make it about Parnell, even when it's not. He's gone. Free is still here. The team made their choice and you need to deal with that.

I'm just pointing out that fan-logic is in play here. Fan-logic dictates that adding a 1st round and 3rd round talent must immediately make the OL better; however, in reality if Collins replaces Leary it is doubtful that Collins as a rookie plays better than Leary did in 2014. It is also doubtful that Green as a rookie is a better backup OT than Parnell was in 2014.

The Collins/Green picks are about the future. They should be upgrades to Leary/Free next season, but it's doubtful that they are significant upgrades this season.

It's doubtful to you, because you want to doubt. You want Free to struggle or be replaced so you can again point to your guy Parnell. Collins is a Top 10 talent that this team absolutely stole. If you want to 'doubt' that he can be an improvement over undrafted Ron Leary, feel free to stand on that island - alone.

I don't need to root for anything to happen in order to give out an "I told you so". Parnell signed a contract that was more than 2x overall and more than 2x in guaranteed money than Doug Free.

And as we all know, money = right. Teams never make mistakes in paying average players great money. Especially the Jaguars. Why that sterling organization is a beacon of stability and credibility to this league! If only we could be more like them...

 

[gimmesix]

They gave McFadden less guaranteed money than they gave Williams. My guess is that they think Randle has got a shot as a fairly complete RB but they worry about an injury to him. If he's lost of the year, you had Dunbar--willing, but physically unable to pass block--and Willaims--not good at pass blocking. They added a veteran who was dirt cheap, no risk, and who they knew could protect Tony and that passing game we rely on if it came to it. Anything he gives you in terms of speed or recaptured elusiveness in the running game or in the short passing game is a plus.

If it turned out that we ended up with a more complete all-around back through the draft, or if it turns out that Williams has figured out how to pass block (and I think that's unlikely that he could demonstrate that sufficiently in the coming preseason), McFadden might not even be a lock for the roster. They basically didn't give him anything more than a no-risk tryout. If he does stick, it's at the expense of Dunbar (who I think they really like), Williams (who's lack of ST makes him vulnerable if he can't show he can hold up in protection), or we roll without a HB again (which is distinctly possible).

Well, I'm not sure any of the backs at this point is contractually a lock for the roster. I'm also not sure if injury is the main concern with Randle. It seemed to me from comments Garrett made that Randle is his preference, while McFadden is Jerry Jones' preference, but who knows how it will shake out.

 

[maxdallasfan]

I have a theory regarding Williams.

The Brass probably knew all along that the chances of Murray being here were very slim. The contract offered to Murray was to pay him an average salary, but at the same time, not give him as many touches as last year to be the lead back again.

Williams was kept on the PS all season to heal his body to be ready for 2015. Why do I think this? Because Williams could have signed with 10 teams last year, but chose not to.

The Brass told him he was going to get a lot of work this year. Williams believed them.

Murray left, so McFadden comes in to share the original load. Randle as well.

We now have 2 RB's with something to prove, and a 3rd who hopefully cherishes every touch based on his off-field issues.

We are gonna have a nasty team fella's.

Collins - will make everyone pay for his draft carnage
Hardy - enough said
Gregory - see Collins
McFadden - will show the NFL he was worth the high pick
Williams - will show the NFL what they have been missing
Whaley - see everyone above

 

[Idgit]

good article, as expected.

why isn't Williams on special teams? is he just too small?

I think it's more that he's just never done it at any level. He's willing to do it, and last season he was working hard to contribute in that area because he knew that was necessary for him to make the roster. The problem for him is/was, Randle's very good on the coverage teams, so he wasn't going to beat him out. If Randle's starting, though, he's not going to be on coverage. That means it's either Williams or one of the LBs we brought in picking up that slack.

If he can do it, then I think it's down to Dunbar v. McFadden for that third down role, or we take 4 RBs and ditch the HB.

 

[WoodysGirl]

Are you being sarcastic?

Nope. I like Sturm.

 

[Idgit]

I have a theory regarding Williams.

The Brass probably knew all along that the chances of Murray being here were very slim. The contract offered to Murray was to pay him an average salary, but at the same time, not give him as many touches as last year to be the lead back again.

Williams was kept on the PS all season to heal his body to be ready for 2015. Why do I think this? Because Williams could have signed with 10 teams last year, but chose not to.

The Brass told him he was going to get a lot of work this year. Williams believed them.

Williams isn't dumb. He knows if he's going to make another NFL roster, he's got to be one of the two lead backs or he's got to improve his special teams play fairly dramatically. And he knows he's had to improve in pass protection to be one of the two lead backs anywhere in the league. Dallas was a situation where there's a great line in place, and pending vacancy in the lead back role in 2015, where he likes the coaches and training staff, had resources to rehabilitate, and where they were willing to give him enough guaranteed money to stay put and take his shot in camp this season. That's pretty much everything he could have asked for and a safer situation than getting put on somebody's active roster and having to learn the protections on the fly. He bet on himself, and I think you're right that he's going to get a fair shot in camp.

 

[jnday]

Reminds me of a young Marion Barber.

I really liked the way Barber ran the ball before he used himself up. He punished the defense.

 

[Idgit]

Looking at the gifs again, one other thing I like about Williams is how pumped he gets after each big play. And I like that he wears 34 in honor of Walter Payton. I can see him bing the kind of personality that adds a bit of enthusiasm to the offense when you put him with Dez and one or the other of them starts making big plays.

 

[xwalker]

You don't have to. It's clear in every post where you somehow make it about Parnell, even when it's not. He's gone. Free is still here. The team made their choice and you need to deal with that.

It's doubtful to you, because you want to doubt. You want Free to struggle or be replaced so you can again point to your guy Parnell. Collins is a Top 10 talent that this team absolutely stole. If you want to 'doubt' that he can be an improvement over undrafted Ron Leary, feel free to stand on that island - alone.

And as we all know, money = right. Teams never make mistakes in paying average players great money. Especially the Jaguars. Why that sterling organization is a beacon of stability and credibility to this league! If only we could be more like them...

You seem angry. Parnell got the big contract, Free didn't. End of story.

I'm not on an island. Many people have posted that Collins as a rookie is doubtful to be an upgrade over Leary. The value of Collins is the future and depth. Leary was a terrific player in 2014.

You want to claim that money is not definitive of talent, but then you want to make draft position definitive of talent. Romo was a udfa and now he is better than a multitude of players drafted in the 1st round.

 

[xwalker]

I agree that Williams is/was bad at it.

Figuring out what's expected of McFadden is difficult. Did Dallas bring him in to compete for the starting role or as a better third-down option because of his pass protection, receiving ability, etc.?

I think the Cowboys' view him as a veteran fallback if Randle and Williams fail who can be the primary backup/third-down back. However, it's possible with so many questions about the position that they view him as the front-runner to start.

I don't think they are trying to define the roles ahead of time. IMO, the idea was to get talent and let the roles define themselves in the preseason or even early in the regular season.

I do think they like the fact that McFadden is a known commodity in terms of pass protection. He is better than Murry in Pass Pro, IMO.

 

[Stash]

You seem angry. Parnell got the big contract, Free didn't. End of story.

More like tired. Tired of watching you turn everything to Free vs Parnell. Free is a Cowboy, Parnell isn't. Real end of story. If you can't handle that fact, maybe you need to start following The Jags?

I'm not on an island.

Many people have posted that Collins as a rookie is doubtful to be an upgrade over Leary. The value of Collins is the future and depth. Leary was a terrific player in 2014.

According to you maybe. I saw plenty of room for improvement over Leary in his inconsistent 2014 campaign. He went from the highs of handling JJ Watt well against the Texans, to the lows of being a complete liability on Thanksgiving Day against Fletcher Cox and the Eagles. We can do better and Collins will.

You want to claim that money is not definitive of talent, but then you want to make draft position definitive of talent. Romo was a udfa and now he is better than a multitude of players drafted in the 1st round.

Only one team has to be dumb about money (like the Jaguars). But take heart, they had a ton of cap space and they threw it around on a bunch of average players, not just Parnell.

 

[Fletch]

Reminds me of a young Marion Barber.

Yet quicker, more top end speed, shiftier, etc. He runs through people like Marion, but that's about it.

 

[JohnsKey19]

Looking at the gifs again, one other thing I like about Williams is how pumped he gets after each big play. And I like that he wears 34 in honor of Walter Payton. I can see him bing the kind of personality that adds a bit of enthusiasm to the offense when you put him with Dez and one or the other of them starts making big plays.

Realistically, we can expect one high level season out of him. Given his history and violent running style, anything after that will be icing on the cake. But yes, the talent is definitely there.

 

[Idgit]

Realistically, we can expect one high level season out of him. Given his history and violent running style, anything after that will be icing on the cake. But yes, the talent is definitely there.

The toughest guys to figure for me are guys like this, who have all the talent in the world but a long injury history. You can't really tell if it's actually being injury prone, or a lot of bad luck, or what. My inclination is to roll with ability wherever you see it, but that can really hurt you.
We've got him for two years, regardless, though. So if he and Randle play well this year, we can always spend a mid round pick again and get another back to backfill for one of those two if we need to. It's relatively inexpensive, and we've got the OL to make decent RBs effective. For now, I think we'll all be happy if we can just get that one healthy season and still field a decent running game.

 

[ccb04]

Another solid article by Sturm.

Williams has the tools as a runner & receiver. His aforementioned health & blocking issues remain the looming question marks.

 

[xwalker]

According to you maybe. I saw plenty of room for improvement over Leary in his inconsistent 2014 campaign. He went from the highs of handling JJ Watt well against the Texans, to the lows of being a complete liability on Thanksgiving Day against Fletcher Cox and the Eagles. We can do better and Collins will.

I studied alll snaps that Leary has taken on both the broadcast and the All-22. I watched each snaps at least 5 times and many more times on some of them. Leary missed week 9 with a leg injury, and was not the same for a few weeks, but he played though the pain.

The Jags could have signed Bulaga, the Packers starting RT, but they preferred Parnell. The Jags GM and HC have only been there a couple of years, so trying to blame them for the Jags past history is silly.

 

[slick325]

Very good breakdown. The RB competition should bring out the best in each player...big opportunity for someone in that backfield. Who seizes it will be interesting come TC.