Blaming WR Williams is in my opinion missing the big picture and who should shoulder the burden of blame. The more I see this play, the more I look to Romo for blame.
It is 3rd and 11 (basically 3rd and goal since they were so close). The team is in FG range. Don't do anything STUPID should be the philosophy. How does Romo look at
that coverage and audible to a 4-5 yard slant on 3rd and 11 into the teeth of the defense is beyond me. The CB is clearly taking away the slant and there are two defenders nearby in the area. The odds of that slant picking up the first are slim to none. Further compounding the problem is Romo seems to audible to the slant to a rookie WR 3-4 seconds before the playclock expires and has to hurry up and beg for the ball to be snapped at 1 second. Romo is in shotgun and takes one or two small steps back and is under no pressure to speak of. Romo then forces the slant even though the WR is clearly not in any position to succeed. This appears to be Romo's first and only read on the play and he stubbornly forced the ball. Romo did not look anywhere else and was under no pressure and decided to force a 5 yard slant on 3rd and 11 with the CB draped on the WR.
Romo is a seasoned vet and should know better. A) It was a horrible play call and/or audible knowing the down and distance and field location from the get-go. B) Forced the pass while under no pressure. C) Romo had plenty of time to see the defense on that play and thought a slant would somehow work.
Sure, Williams is to blame for not running what he was supposed to. However, that play should have never been audibled to (or should have been audibled out if Callahan called it). And the ball definitely should have never left Romo's hand. Seems to me poor overall field management on the QB from the get-go on that play.
I could be wrong. Just a little different take on it. I'm not a Romo hater by the way. He played well and managed the game well overall.
I hope it was 3rd and 11 on that play or I make little sense
