Patrik Walker with praise for Javonte Williams

[gimmesix]

Despite all the praise heaped on Sanders, Walker says that Williams is "off on one of the best starts of the entire RB group." https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/pic-6-quick-observations-from-day-1-minicamp

Walker is a bit more of a homer than the other DC.com writers but he says that Williams has had impressive snaps with the first team both making defenders miss and with his ability to run right up the middle. Of course, with no tackling, I don't really think backs can show much ability to run right up the middle.

 

[Creeper]

To me Williams is more of an every down back than Sanders or Blue. But I hope Mafah shows us something because we need a legitimate every down back and I hate depending on guys who are old or broken down.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Sanders got some praise the other day, so the new Mickey had to balance it out for the guy they paid more in FA.

 

[fivetwos]

To me Williams is more of an every down back than Sanders or Blue. But I hope Mafah shows us something because we need a legitimate every down back and I hate depending on guys who are old or broken down.

Agree. I’m in the minority around here in thinking Williams can give them something. Even if it’s only a bridge to Mafah being a little more ready.

Sanders and Blue are probably the most talented but they are more change of pace types. By years end I expect two guys will emerge and form a decent tandem.

Other than Daks physical limitations, Im not really worried about this offense. They’ve invested sufficiently up front and it should pay off once they find the right combo. Complete opposite on defense. No faith whatsoever.

 

[Bobhaze]

Despite all the praise heaped on Sanders, Walker says that Williams is "off on one of the best starts of the entire RB group." https://www.dallascowboys.com/news/pic-6-quick-observations-from-day-1-minicamp

Walker is a bit more of a homer than the other DC.com writers but he says that Williams has had impressive snaps with the first team both making defenders miss and with his ability to run right up the middle. Of course, with no tackling, I don't really think backs can show much ability to run right up the middle.

I hope Williams turns out to have a major turnaround because he hasn’t since that terrible knee injury he suffered a couple of years ago.

I would also remind everyone that this time of year - the slowest in the NFL calendar - is when we get the most rosy and sunny forecasts for every player. It may be true, but it may also be hyperbole.

As for me, I’ll be waiting until the pads are on and we are playing real opponents in a game. Even a ps game is a better indicator of what a player can be than helmets and t-shirt practices.

 

[Aven8]

What is Williams speed like?

 

[DeaconMoss]

I don't think JW fit into whatever was going on in Denver. Or he was still recovering. If he is close to rookie form he is by far the best back on this team.

 

[DeaconMoss]

What is Williams speed like?

If JW is good to go in his mind space and health everyone will forget Blue is on the roster. I saw every snap he played in college. He is a threat out of the backfield on passing plays just as much as runs.

JW is a tackle breaker not a sprinter.

 

[davey999]

Walker is a major league homer. I'll wait to see him play with us before heaping any praise.

 

[BrassCowboy]

To me Williams is more of an every down back than Sanders or Blue. But I hope Mafah shows us something because we need a legitimate every down back and I hate depending on guys who are old or broken down.

Well Javonte is only 24 I believe so old he is not. Broken down? Eh we will see.

I would like to see Mafah though

 

[Blast From The Past]

I don't think JW fit into whatever was going on in Denver. Or he was still recovering. If he is close to rookie form he is by far the best back on this team.

Two years removed is better than one. If he still has it then it will soon be revealed but if he is washed it too will be revealed. Hoping for the former.

 

[MarcusRock]

Agree. I’m in the minority around here in thinking Williams can give them something. Even if it’s only a bridge to Mafah being a little more ready.

I don't know man. We're looking for a bridge to a 7th Round back? I hope Mafah is this diamond in the rough but looking to depend on him at some point is a hope exercise that the odds are against.

 

[DeaconMoss]

This was what he looked like his sophomore year before getting hurt.

 

[gimmesix]

Sanders got some praise the other day, so the new Mickey had to balance it out for the guy they paid more in FA.

Yeah what's been done so far is just a step up from the Underwear Olympics, so it's no surprise for RBs who aren't allowed to be tackled to take turns looking good. The backs generally keep running even after contact that might have stopped their run if tackling was allowed. It's easy to look good when you can do that.

 

[gimmesix]

Agree. I’m in the minority around here in thinking Williams can give them something. Even if it’s only a bridge to Mafah being a little more ready.

Sanders and Blue are probably the most talented but they are more change of pace types. By years end I expect two guys will emerge and form a decent tandem.

Other than Daks physical limitations, Im not really worried about this offense. They’ve invested sufficiently up front and it should pay off once they find the right combo. Complete opposite on defense. No faith whatsoever.

I think what Williams will give us (no matter what) is a steady 3 yards per carry. What I mean by that is his average isn't bloated by any long runs. He's going to fight for positive yardage on almost every snap and not get stopped in the backfield too often. There's value in that even if we may want more.

 

[gimmesix]

I don't know man. We're looking for a bridge to a 7th Round back? I hope Mafah is this diamond in the rough but looking to depend on him at some point is a hope exercise that the odds are against.

He's the Bo Scarbrough of 2025.

 

[gimmesix]

I hope Williams turns out to have a major turnaround because he hasn’t since that terrible knee injury he suffered a couple of years ago.

I would also remind everyone that this time of year - the slowest in the NFL calendar - is when we get the most rosy and sunny forecasts for every player. It may be true, but it may also be hyperbole.

As for me, I’ll be waiting until the pads are on and we are playing real opponents in a game. Even a ps game is a better indicator of what a player can be than helmets and t-shirt practices.

There are certain things you can watch that are telling, such as QB accuracy and to an extent WRs vs. DBs. But the physical stuff definitely doesn't exist this time of year. No one should be saying this offensive lineman or defensive lineman looks great in minicamp. And the backs obviously don't have problems running through touches instead of bodies.

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

I’ve never seen a non QB look bad in shorts…

 

[DuncanIso]

What is Williams speed like?

slow.

4.55 40-time before the freak knee injury.

I'd guess he's in the 4.6 - 4.65 range now.

they can save 2M with a post june cut.

He keeps the 1M signing bonus.

hes UFA in 2026.

Just start Blue.

 

[Rayman70]

These backs will be nice bridges to the next guy. Let's understand what they are. Blue is a complimentary back with a high ceiling. I wouldn't use him as an every down guy.