Sure there are exaggerations good and bad about Roy Williams as well as other players for that matter. I also do value statistics to an end result point but do they truly reflect what kind of player you actually have at that particular position throughout a season?
The key positive stat about Roy Williams that is frequently used to support or vindicate him are the number of tackles as compared to the other top safeties.
Do you really want to hang your hat on Roy's head over the number of tackles especially when you consider the diversion tackles he nets playing closer to the line of scrimmage. For me it isn't the number of tackles you make that you measure a safety with, but the number of open field tackles against the inertia and combativeness of the receiver, tight end or running back. And exactly how many sacks has Roy Willams had at or near the LOS over the last couple of years? The answer is ZERO.
What about the number of tackles Roy missed and the associated yardage and field position gained by the opposition? As we are well aware, the secondary consisting of cornerbacks and safeties is the last line of defense and the ability to stop the opponent is critical.
There is a reason Mr. Sanders earned Defensive Player of the Year vs. all other safeties and particularly, Mr. Williams.
The reality is that with most teams taxing defenses with more wide receiver, tight end sets and even catch proficient running backs, it is necessary that you have decent coverage guys regardless whether they are strong or weak safeties.
Roy Williams has been a consistent liability in coverage over the years and his playmaking or opponent drive stopping ability has appreciably waned. He has become less physical a performer and it has been acknowledged that he doesn't make the effort to film study the opposing players to decrease the possibility of negative defensive plays.
From a first round top ten pick and NFL star safety Roy has regressed to an average performing defender with a tendency to give up the big play. So some feel better that the likes of Jacques Reeves malfunctioned as badly if not worse than Roy? Amazing...
We fans can twist or present Roy's statistics to meet a favorable or negative agenda but the reality is that the Dallas Cowboys organization is concerned about Roy's production and efforts. That is partly the reason Campo was rehired by the Cowboys, to work with or rehabillitate Roy.
Put it in perspective, based on real time field experience, Roy should have only gotten better - not worse during his several year Cowboy tenure. He truly is in his physical and mental prime. It his reasonable to state that over the last few years he has truly underachieved and in the wake of a hefty extended contract this is a kick in the groin of the Dallas Cowboys let alone the fan base.
Well for our sakes I hope he takes this opportunity to reestablish himself as a prime defender. A focused, confident and devastating Roy would make our defense downright scary and bolster our ability to be successful late in the season and hopefully the playoffs.
