Terrance Williams future

[locked&loaded]

I know this was only his 2nd year, I know that he is the third option on what is now a run heavy team, I know he had 8 tds last year.

However, I don't know what is future will hold. This is what I would like to discuss.

Reading percyhowards thread http://cowboyszone.com/threads/romos-best-and-worst-targets-in-2014.315016/#post-5973421 jogged my memory on just how inept Williams can look

Romos passer rating on 3rd or 4th down to Williams was 58.9 on 17 targets. In 2013 Romos rating to Williams on the same set of downs was 35.6 . That is far and away the worst rating on the team.

Williams conversion % on said targets were 38.9% and 34.% in 2013 . Murray was the only one with a worse %.

This leads me to believe that we just cant trust Williams on 3rd or 4th down (except against seahags). I know it is taboo to talk about this on cowboyszone, but Williams tendency to body catch isn't going to help the teams faith in him when wanting to fire in a slant etc on a critical pass.

(once again, credit to percyhoward for numbers)

Delving deeper into the stats showed that in 18 games Williams never once eclipsed the century mark. His closest effort netted him 92 yards. In 7 out of 18 games Williams had 20 yards or less (he wasn't even targeted in the Bears game)! In 12 of 18 games he had 52 yards or less! Williams was targeted 66 times and had 37 receptions, now I haven't gone back and watched every play to assess where the fault lies, but the numbers dictate a 56% completion percentage to Williams. Considering Romo finished with a 69.9 completion percentage this season, Williams simply isn't doing enough.

I know with how good our offense is, it is a luxury to be talking about possibly improving our 2nd receiver. But I think we would be doing a disservice to Romo and the rest of our offense if we don't at least consider it. I know there have been whispers about Street, but he showed nothing this season and knock on wood, if Dez went down we would be absolutely screwed.

 

[perrykemp]

I like Williams, however, he seems to have trouble getting open on his own. Many/most of his catches seem to be because he is left relatively open due to defenses focusing on Dez, the running game, and Witten.

There is no shame in getting the bulk of your catches that way and Williams has done a decent job with the opportunities he is given. My worry is in the perfect world the WR2 is a guy who can get himself open if needed.

 

[Doomsday101]

Myself I'm pretty happy with Williams and at 25 I think he will continue to grow and develop as a WR. He has 2 years remaining on his rookie contract beyond that we will see how he progresses

 

[Longboysfan]

He's got to make a statement game somewhere next year. Like Miles Austin did.

 

[RonSpringsdaman20]

Make or Break year... establish himself as the two, or they will look for a bigger impact player..
wish him well, there are some things to like about him...

 

[Idgit]

I'd have to see the plays Williams isn't making. He is a guy that has a simpatico with Tony when a play breaks down. The sample isn't large, and I wouldn't be surprised if Williams is the 'target' on a larger number of throw aways or prayer-throws as Tony's scrambling to put the ball someplace. He'd be the guy in single coverage, after all.

I think TW is a really good player for us who's playing a role, just like Beasley or our TE2s do. I don't really expect him to develop into much more than he is already, but I think what he is is plenty useful for the team. He's not going to ever by a WR1, and that's ok. He's a guy you extend to a reasonable deal when the time comes, or let walk and replace him with a similar pick or with a player you've been developing from your position group.

 

[RoboQB]

I'd have to see the plays Williams isn't making. He is a guy that has a simpatico with Tony when a play breaks down. The sample isn't large, and I wouldn't be surprised if Williams is the 'target' on a larger number of throw aways or prayer-throws as Tony's scrambling to put the ball someplace. He'd be the guy in single coverage, after all.

I think TW is a really good player for us who's playing a role, just like Beasley or our TE2s do. I don't really expect him to develop into much more than he is already, but I think what he is is plenty useful for the team. He's not going to ever by a WR1, and that's ok. He's a guy you extend to a reasonable deal when the time comes, or let walk and replace him with a similar pick or with a player you've been developing from your position group.

We agree once again.

 

[DanTanna]

I don't know. At first I didn't like him because he caught the ball with his body, had lots of drops, ran wrong routes that cause interceptions and couldn't get open. However, last year I was impressed! If we keep focusing on Dez, TEs, the RBs and Beasley, I'm totally fine with him if he is inexpensive. Use the money on defense.

 

[conner01]

i think williams has been a very good player for us. as for his future thats simple. you are not going to have an elite wr and a second wr on second contracts. enjoy the growth of williams who has come in and played two very good years for a guy in his first two years because the next guy probably won't be as good and twill won't get a second contract

 

[Plankton]

Williams needs to improve his physicality. He had a tough time against corners who would press him and play physical with him. Needs to add some strength in the weight room.

The body catching argument is very overrated, especially when talking about running slants. Michael Irvin, the greatest WR in Cowboy history (next to Cornell Burbage), was a body catcher on slants. Not an issue.

 

[xwalker]

I know this was only his 2nd year, I know that he is the third option on what is now a run heavy team, I know he had 8 tds last year.

However, I don't know what is future will hold. This is what I would like to discuss.

Reading percyhowards thread http://cowboyszone.com/threads/romos-best-and-worst-targets-in-2014.315016/#post-5973421 jogged my memory on just how inept Williams can look

Romos passer rating on 3rd or 4th down to Williams was 58.9 on 17 targets. In 2013 Romos rating to Williams on the same set of downs was 35.6 . That is far and away the worst rating on the team.

Williams conversion % on said targets were 38.9% and 34.% in 2013 . Murray was the only one with a worse %.

This leads me to believe that we just cant trust Williams on 3rd or 4th down (except against seahags). I know it is taboo to talk about this on cowboyszone, but Williams tendency to body catch isn't going to help the teams faith in him when wanting to fire in a slant etc on a critical pass.

(once again, credit to percyhoward for numbers)

Delving deeper into the stats showed that in 18 games Williams never once eclipsed the century mark. His closest effort netted him 92 yards. In 7 out of 18 games Williams had 20 yards or less (he wasn't even targeted in the Bears game)! In 12 of 18 games he had 52 yards or less! Williams was targeted 66 times and had 37 receptions, now I haven't gone back and watched every play to assess where the fault lies, but the numbers dictate a 56% completion percentage to Williams. Considering Romo finished with a 69.9 completion percentage this season, Williams simply isn't doing enough.

I know with how good our offense is, it is a luxury to be talking about possibly improving our 2nd receiver. But I think we would be doing a disservice to Romo and the rest of our offense if we don't at least consider it. I know there have been whispers about Street, but he showed nothing this season and knock on wood, if Dez went down we would be absolutely screwed.

Stats are often misleading.

I suggest you get the Game Rewind package from NFL.com and use it to review all of TWills incompletions. It has a search function. You choose Cowboys as the team and enter Williams in the search box.

 

[DFWJC]

He's a work in progress, as are most WRs that are 2 years in.

Just off the top of my head, I can think of him making three of the very biggest plays of the season for us:

Seattle 3rd and long 1st downt hat broke their back.
Houston TD where Romo juked Watt.
Detroit game-winning TD.

 

[Bowdown27]

Myself I'm pretty happy with Williams and at 25 I think he will continue to grow and develop as a WR. He has 2 years remaining on his rookie contract beyond that we will see how he progresses

That's my thought process

 

[jrumann59]

Williams needs to improve his physicality. He had a tough time against corners who would press him and play physical with him. Needs to add some strength in the weight room.

The body catching argument is very overrated, especially when talking about running slants. Michael Irvin, the greatest WR in Cowboy history (next to Cornell Burbage), was a body catcher on slants. Not an issue.

Yes if we were running slants and digs but we did not do that a lot with Williams, his problem is when he is open it is not a big enough window because on difficult passes he reverts to body catching. You hear "experts" talking about catch radius, TWill has one of the smallest catching radius on the team, I think he is heck of a player but unless he uses his hands more for passes out and away from his body he will always be a #2 or #3 in the league because if you cannot get consistent separation you have to sue length to gain it.

 

[LatinMind]

I like Williams, however, he seems to have trouble getting open on his own. Many/most of his catches seem to be because he is left relatively open due to defenses focusing on Dez, the running game, and Witten.

There is no shame in getting the bulk of your catches that way and Williams has done a decent job with the opportunities he is given. My worry is in the perfect world the WR2 is a guy who can get himself open if needed.

Thats why they are #2 WRs and not #1. And TW gets open plenty, but when you have a top 3 WR OPLOY RB and HOF TE getting the majority of the balls what do you expect from TW? Dallas should just go out and sign a All pro at every posistion to stop some of these threads

 

[iceberg]

I know this was only his 2nd year, I know that he is the third option on what is now a run heavy team, I know he had 8 tds last year.

However, I don't know what is future will hold. This is what I would like to discuss.

Reading percyhowards thread http://cowboyszone.com/threads/romos-best-and-worst-targets-in-2014.315016/#post-5973421 jogged my memory on just how inept Williams can look

Romos passer rating on 3rd or 4th down to Williams was 58.9 on 17 targets. In 2013 Romos rating to Williams on the same set of downs was 35.6 . That is far and away the worst rating on the team.

Williams conversion % on said targets were 38.9% and 34.% in 2013 . Murray was the only one with a worse %.

This leads me to believe that we just cant trust Williams on 3rd or 4th down (except against seahags). I know it is taboo to talk about this on cowboyszone, but Williams tendency to body catch isn't going to help the teams faith in him when wanting to fire in a slant etc on a critical pass.

(once again, credit to percyhoward for numbers)

Delving deeper into the stats showed that in 18 games Williams never once eclipsed the century mark. His closest effort netted him 92 yards. In 7 out of 18 games Williams had 20 yards or less (he wasn't even targeted in the Bears game)! In 12 of 18 games he had 52 yards or less! Williams was targeted 66 times and had 37 receptions, now I haven't gone back and watched every play to assess where the fault lies, but the numbers dictate a 56% completion percentage to Williams. Considering Romo finished with a 69.9 completion percentage this season, Williams simply isn't doing enough.

I know with how good our offense is, it is a luxury to be talking about possibly improving our 2nd receiver. But I think we would be doing a disservice to Romo and the rest of our offense if we don't at least consider it. I know there have been whispers about Street, but he showed nothing this season and knock on wood, if Dez went down we would be absolutely screwed.

i think many fans just over-read into a players performance. you can look back at the first few years of Dez and would you give him the contract he's about to get after that performance? are there STILL people who think Dez had the saggy pants? No, and Yes.

williams numbers? about what you'd expect. he's had some very special moments as a WR and i think his overall growth has been fine. some people just look for the negative and expand. why? dunno, don't care. 3rd down % to a #3 WR stat? lord, you're almost making the "win or go home" stat relevant.

street? again, numbers lie. if you're upset williams isn't getting the reps he should, not sure how you can judge a rookie who's not really had a chance yet.

 

[iceberg]

Thats why they are #2 WRs and not #1. And TW gets open plenty, but when you have a top 3 WR OPLOY RB and HOF TE getting the majority of the balls what do you expect from TW? Dallas should just go out and sign a All pro at every posistion to stop some of these threads

no. the convo would shift to "we have all pros at every position, how come each doesn't have 1000+ yards every season!!! WAH THE THIEVES!!!!"

and that would be just as annoying.

 

[locked&loaded]

Stats are often misleading.

I suggest you get the Game Rewind package from NFL.com and use it to review all of TWills incompletions. It has a search function. You choose Cowboys as the team and enter Williams in the search box.

7 days free. I will. I chose not to include the incompletions where Williams didn't have a chance

49ers.
3rd and 9, come back route, Romo hits him but Williams turns what should be a 1st down into a contested drop by not reaching hands out to catch ball.
3rd and 1 at goal line, T.Williams runs what seems to be wrong route, Romo goes for back shoulder corner throw, incomplete.
2nd and 3, deep ball, ball underthrown, T.Williams goes up but doesn't extend hands, tries to body catch. incomplete.

titans,rams,saints
none

texans
1st and 15, deep out, Romo throws a beauty to T.Williams at the one yard line that Williams tries to corral between chest and forearms instead of just plucking out of air, incomplete, should have been td
3rd and 12, Slant or drag route on back endzone line, tight coverage but ball hits Williams right in hands, incomplete, should have been td
2nd and 5, Williams doesn't run out route like Romo seemed to have wanted, incomplete

Seahawks, NYG
none

'skins
1st and 20, Deep fly in center of field, Breeland makes good play..but Williams waited for ball when he should have attacked it, incomplete.

Cardinals
none, weeden is garbage

Jax
none, Romo underthrew a ball, Terrance went up but didn't look too graceful. Romos fault

NYG
3rd and 4, outside comeback near sidelines, real tight coverage by P.Amukamara, Still hit T.Williams in hands...would like him to be more aggressive with hands. tough catch, incomplete

Eagles, bears (not thrown to)
none

Eagles
3rd and 11, room underthrows deep fly middle of field, pass interference on defense, still, ball clunks right off of Williams chest, should have been caught
3rd and 19, Deep fly sidelines, T Williams pushes off (offensive PI called) and falls over, had CB beat and Ball was well thrown, push off not needed, incomplete

Colts,skins
none

Lions
3rd and 7, Deep fly center of field, underthrown ball, slay with great coverage, so definitely contested ball, but it hit Williams square in the hand when he elevated for it. hard catch, incomplete
1st and goal, back shoulder fade in endzone, beautiful throw by Romo, Ball goes right through Williams hands. positive note, unlike in Texans game, Williams tries to use hands instead of clamping the ball between forearms and chest.

Packers..
none

I guess that is 12 total incompletions. A few were underthrown/contested/ tough, but could have been caught. Only about 5 should have definitely been caught. It doesn't look so bad by that account.

Regardless of what people say, his body catching is an issue. Especially his tendency to wait for the ball on come back routes and contested deep balls. It is really glaring because on the opposite side of the field you have the best WR in the game at attacking the ball.

I didn't start this thread to put Williams on the cross. He has made a lot of big plays for us, has pretty good speed and seems to be a good teammate. That being said, I have to wonder if Romo and the offense is a bit fearfull of throwing him a contested ball. There are wrs who are open when they are covered (dez) and there are wrs that are only open when they are open. Williams is the latter, which is common for a number two wr. But I don't think we should be afraid to upgrade.

 

[LatinMind]

Dez Bryant first 2 yrs
108 rec 1489yrds 15tds

Terrance Williams
81rec 1357yrds 13tds

Williams is doing this as the #2. Dez did that as the #1. Williams is fine. END OF THREAD

 

[Seven]

I'd have to see the plays Williams isn't making. He is a guy that has a simpatico with Tony when a play breaks down. The sample isn't large, and I wouldn't be surprised if Williams is the 'target' on a larger number of throw aways or prayer-throws as Tony's scrambling to put the ball someplace. He'd be the guy in single coverage, after all.

I think TW is a really good player for us who's playing a role, just like Beasley or our TE2s do. I don't really expect him to develop into much more than he is already, but I think what he is is plenty useful for the team. He's not going to ever by a WR1, and that's ok. He's a guy you extend to a reasonable deal when the time comes, or let walk and replace him with a similar pick or with a player you've been developing from your position group.

Yep.

He's on the same page and understands his role, IMO.

Role players is what makes a team well rounded.