xwalker
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I'll start with the summaries and then get into the details.
Everyone (draft media, teams, fans) knew that Connor Williams needed a year in the NFL to be ready.
- He was only 296 pounds when drafted.
Due to injuries/illness to other players, the Cowboys had no other legit option to start game 1 at LG.
CW Summary:
- Started first 8 games & Playoffs at LG, games 14 & 16 at RG.
- OK early on vs quick DTs but had some struggles with over-sized DTs.
- Not powerful in run blocking but Cowboys top 2 rushing games were with CW at LG (weeks 4 & 6).
- Started both playoff games (Cowboys rushing yards: 164 vs Seahawks but only 50 vs Rams).
- By the playoffs CW was a solid starting LG.
- More than solid vs Aaron Donald in pass protection.
- Obviously still needed to get bigger/stronger.
- To start the 2019 training camp he is up to 320 pounds according to multiple reports.
CW vs XSF Summary:
- XSF started games 9 to 16 at LG.
- XSF better in power run blocking especially against really big DTs.
- CW better overall in pass protection and 2nd level run blocking.
- XSF had many really terrible pass pro snaps vs Saints.
- In 2019 CW is bigger and stronger; although we can't yet quantify by how much.
Reasons CW forced to start game 1:
- Aaron Donald played most of his snaps against the LG (CW's position).
- CW was solid in pass protection in the game and against Aaron Donald.
- There was just 1 snap where Donald cleanly beat CW.
Everyone (draft media, teams, fans) knew that Connor Williams needed a year in the NFL to be ready.
- He was only 296 pounds when drafted.
Due to injuries/illness to other players, the Cowboys had no other legit option to start game 1 at LG.
CW Summary:
- Started first 8 games & Playoffs at LG, games 14 & 16 at RG.
- OK early on vs quick DTs but had some struggles with over-sized DTs.
- Not powerful in run blocking but Cowboys top 2 rushing games were with CW at LG (weeks 4 & 6).
- Started both playoff games (Cowboys rushing yards: 164 vs Seahawks but only 50 vs Rams).
- By the playoffs CW was a solid starting LG.
- More than solid vs Aaron Donald in pass protection.
- Obviously still needed to get bigger/stronger.
- To start the 2019 training camp he is up to 320 pounds according to multiple reports.
CW vs XSF Summary:
- XSF started games 9 to 16 at LG.
- XSF better in power run blocking especially against really big DTs.
- CW better overall in pass protection and 2nd level run blocking.
- XSF had many really terrible pass pro snaps vs Saints.
- In 2019 CW is bigger and stronger; although we can't yet quantify by how much.
Reasons CW forced to start game 1:
- The Cowboys started camp in 2018 with multiple options to play LG.
- Connor Williams: Rookie.
- Looney: Forced to start at Center due to Frederick's illness.
- Marcus Martin: Appeared he might be above Looney as an option at LG but went to IR after preseason game 1.
- After Camp:
- Traded for OG Parker Ehinger but he went to IR after 1 week.
- Signed OG/OC Adam Redmond off waivers
- Signed Xavier Su'a-Filo after game 1.
- Aaron Donald played most of his snaps against the LG (CW's position).
- CW was solid in pass protection in the game and against Aaron Donald.
- There was just 1 snap where Donald cleanly beat CW.
- CW held him on that play to keep him off the QB.
- Obviously CW got more help from the Center (Looney) than Zack Martin got, but that's expected.- Aaron Donald
- Sacks:
- vs Cowboys: 0
- Reg Season: 20.5 total
- QB Hits:
- vs Cowboys: 0
- Reg Season: 41 (2.6 per game)
- Tackles
- vs Cowboys: 2
- Reg Season: 59 (3.7 per game)
- Sacks:
