Why Roy Williams and Tony are not connecting

[AmericasTeam31]

Is there a possibility that the sun was in Tony's eyes on the slant route where he hits Roy in the feet?

I was watching the video of his routes, and noticed that at the line of scrimmage the sun in just behind him, around where Tony mighit be throwing from... Just curious... still no excuse for that pass!

 

[speedkilz88]

I'm no personnel expert but just by mere speculation and observation, this is my opinion. You may have seen it posted before.

First and foremost, Romo has been throwing to Crayton and Witten a lot longer than he has Roy Williams. Obviously there is something to be said about his connection ability with those two based on time spent practicing for the last 3+ years.

Secondly, I think Romo is finding success with Crayton and Austin for two reasons, and also has had issues throwing the ball to Sam Hurd as well. Crayton and Austin are of similar height and build, and they run as fast as they look. When Austin is breaking across the middle, he "looks" as fast as he actually is running.

The difference here with Roy Williams and Sam Hurd is that they are a bit taller, and they take longer strides when running....while they're running as fast (and possibly faster) than a guy like Austin, they don't appear to be running as fast and maybe that's why Romo throws a bit behind them or feels as if he has to "lead" them more with his throws.

It's definitely frustrating, because the catch and run against Tampa Bay was outstanding to watch - perfect throw laid right over the DBs, perfect grab over the shoulder using his hands, and a catch in stride in which nobody in the NFL would have caught him even with a running start. Hopefully they can spend some more time getting those kinks worked out so we can see more Romo-to-Roy touchdowns that aren't just jump-balls in the end zone.

Then again, Roy also got destroyed by a Broncos linebacker and had three severely bruised ribs, so maybe his confidence is hurting a bit. He dropped some balls that he definitely doesn't drop otherwise. I said it before, but I think that's the hardest hit he's taken in his football-playing life. If anyone's got video of a more punishing and bigger hit on Williams, by all means post it so I can see it.

One problem, Roy(6-3) and Miles(6-3) are taller than Hurd(6-2). Crayton(6-0)

 

[DallasDomination]

Well Roy isnt going anywhere anytime soon so He has alot of time to work on his route running and getting insync with Romo.

 

[alancdc]

Well Roy isnt going anywhere anytime soon so He has alot of time to work on his route running and getting insync with Romo.

Exactly right. Not sure he will ever be in sync, but he aint going anywhere. Jerruh gave up way too much to have him sit or any other option.

 

[CowboysFaninHouston]

I was reading another thread about a member's analysis of the game, which was a good assessment. But, I can't believe how one person's analysis turned into a flame war over a player he did not even mention.

On to Roy Williams. Please read me out before giving me the keyboard beatdown.

From the Atlanta game, Roy had a few hit him in the hands yesterday that he flat out dropped. Those are all on Roy, no question.

The question is on the actual misses from Romo to Roy. They appeared to be waaayyy off, especially considering how "on target" Romo was with the rest of his throws. That slant route that hit the ground at Roy's feet readily comes to mind. After rewatching it several times through the miracle of TiVo, it looked like Romo expected Roy to break in about five yards earlier than what Roy actually did. After a while, Tony just stopped looking Roy's way.

With Miles, Witten and even Crayton, Romo throws to a spot and he has confidence that the receiver will be there. With Witten, it is close to 100% that he is in the expected spot, which is why he is Romo's "go to guy". For the last two games, I have also seen Romo show that type of confidence in Miles. On the out routes especially, Tony has thrown to a spot and Miles has been there. That speaks volumes on why Miles is getting the numbers that he is and why the passing attack has been so good over the last few games.

My personal thoughts are that Roy Williams is still having trouble running the correct routes. A lot of the successful connections between he and Romo have been where Romo can see Roy's path prior to throwing the football (like the post pattern against the Bucs), but the quick breaks and hot routes have been hit and miss. The good news is that this is correctable, but the question is "when" this correction will occur and when these two can get in sync.

I am not standing up for Roy, because it has certainly been long enough that he and Tony should be in tune by now, but I am saying that if they get in tune come November and December, then Roy and Miles could prove to be a very scary combo at the wide-out position.

Just one member's opinion.

that could be a great cause of this, since we do run a timing offense. I also think both Roy and Tony are pressing a little bit. romo seemed to be off on two of RWs plays where he over threw one and then severly underthrew another. for a short slant like that, I doubt if he is throwing to a spot, a lot of those type of throws are when a WR runs and then cuts and looks and expects the ball to be somewhere.

Roy needs to stop pressing and just play and have fun. he is trying to show that trading for him was not wrong, so he is losing focus and dropping passes where he didn't have those problems in the past.

 

[Juke99]

I attempted to have a conversation about this a few weeks back...specifically, saying that I've never read so much being made about a QB and a WR needing to get their timing down...and well, I seemed to be in a minority about this.

I dunno...I see a kid here in NY who already has a better chemistry with Braylon Edwards...not that their numbers have been great...but they're better than Romo and Williams.

And that old guy in Minnesota doesn't seem to be having too many problems with his new WR's.

I'm thinking maybe, just maybe, Roy Williams ain't that good.

 

[tunahelper]

Roy doesnt and never has gotten great seperation and Romo is nervous about throwing in traffic. With Austin there is better sepration even if he trusts him to be at the spot.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

I attempted to have a conversation about this a few weeks back...specifically, saying that I've never read so much being made about a QB and a WR needing to get their timing down...and well, I seemed to be in a minority about this.

I dunno...I see a kid here in NY who already has a better chemistry with Braylon Edwards...not that their numbers have been great...but they're better than Romo and Williams.

And that old guy in Minnesota doesn't seem to be having too many problems with his new WR's.

I'm thinking maybe, just maybe, Roy Williams ain't that good.

he's a great downfield blocker

 

[DallasEast]

Roy doesnt and never has gotten great seperation and Romo is nervous about throwing in traffic. With Austin there is better sepration even if he trusts him to be at the spot.

Never? How about on a slant?

 

[CoCo]

Lots of good thoughts in this thread.

After all that is said and done, it would be really interesting to have a video of Roy's big season in Detroit to help identify ingredients for his success.

And since that QB is now in Dallas you'd think there wouldn't be any mystery to it at all. I don't believe for a second that season couldn't be replicated. But it needs to be done within the confines of this offense and the things that are making it successful.

 

[HighTechDave]

one of the best posts/analysis of the season on this site "Joe Rod"

nailed it

 

[Gaede]

I'm thinking maybe, just maybe, Roy Williams ain't that good.

good post, agree completely

 

[DallasEast]

Lots of good thoughts in this thread.

After all that is said and done, it would be really interesting to have a video of Roy's big season in Detroit to help identify ingredients for his success.

And since that QB is now in Dallas you'd think there wouldn't be any mystery to it at all. I don't believe for a second that season couldn't be replicated. But it needs to be done within the confines of this offense and the things that are making it successful.

[EDIT: I DIDN'T HAVE THE VOLUME UP WHILE WATCHING IT THE FIRST TIME AROUND. SORRY]

The video isn't great, but most of the highlights shown are from the Lions' '06 season with a mixture of other seasons as well towards the latter half.

 

[Established1971]

Well, one possible explanation is what I call the "Keyshawn" Theory.

I remember listening to an interview with Keyshawn Johnson. They were basically asking him why he and Drew Bledsoe didn't seem to have the same chemistry as Bledsoe and Glenn (besides the fact that Glenn and Bledsoe played together in New England). Keyshawn Johnson said that Bledsoe had to get use to the fact that he would not have alot of separation and that alot of times, even though a defender was covering him, he was open and Bledsoe just needed to throw the ball to him because he had a big size advantage, very aggressive in going after the ball and had very good hands.

Tony Romo has been criticized for his turnovers and throwing it to a big receiver like Roy Williams, with a corner drapped all over him probably makes him extremely nervous.

Also, as the season plays out, I think Quarterbacks tend to associate certain things with different receivers. With Miles Austin, Tony Romo is starting to think, when I throw him the ball, great things happen. With Roy Williams, he is not having that much success and may eventually look for him alot less.

Not a personnel expert, just tried to play one on Cowboyszone.com TV :laugh2: .

reminds me of when I used to play touch football. I used to always tell this struggling qb that I am the tallest guy playing and if I am one-on-one, which I was alot, just throw. I dont have to be wide open. He never listened.

oh well, certainly not the same situation here exactly but your post brought back some memories

 

[gimmesix]

My personal thoughts are that Roy Williams is still having trouble running the correct routes. A lot of the successful connections between he and Romo have been where Romo can see Roy's path prior to throwing the football (like the post pattern against the Bucs), but the quick breaks and hot routes have been hit and miss. The good news is that this is correctable, but the question is "when" this correction will occur and when these two can get in sync.

I do think there is an adjustment to be made between the two, and I think it will have to be Romo (or Garrett) who figures out how to adjust.

Kitna didn't have any trouble getting the ball to Williams in Detroit, so that tells me that there are routes he can run that a QB can trust or that a QB can learn to adapt to what Williams does best.

 

[CoCo]

The video isn't great, but most of the highlights shown are from the Lions' '06 season with a mixture of other seasons as well towards the latter half.

All I ever see is a large white square when someone posts a video. Help?

 

[AMERICAS_FAN]

I think mostly Romo hasn't developed the trust yet. In reviewing some of the broadcast, I noticed a couple of throws where I thought, if that's Roy, Romo doesn't throw that pass. In particular, the pass to Austin over Chevis Jackson right before the half.

It will come. I was pleased to hear RW's comments after the game. I have concerns that he will have a meltdown sooner or later. Hope he proves me wrong.

I'm finding that Roy runs his routes too inconsistently. That's where lack of trust comes from. And the QB should NEVER trudst a WR that can't get to right spot in theright time of a timing route. PERIOD!

Look, I like Roy Williams and want him to cucceed. But this "we have to dial 9-11" crap is B.S. What needs to be dialed is 11-9, mening that Williams has to start carrying his end of the consistent route-running responsibility before Romo can look at him seriously.

 

[Big Dakota]

I attempted to have a conversation about this a few weeks back...specifically, saying that I've never read so much being made about a QB and a WR needing to get their timing down...and well, I seemed to be in a minority about this.

I dunno...I see a kid here in NY who already has a better chemistry with Braylon Edwards...not that their numbers have been great...but they're better than Romo and Williams.

And that old guy in Minnesota doesn't seem to be having too many problems with his new WR's.

I'm thinking maybe, just maybe, Roy Williams ain't that good.

Roy's like a poor mans Key Johnson and that ain't all that good.

 

[Powerdad23]

You gotta look at the overall games Williams has played for Dallas & the production he has had...which ain't much. He's lazy..runs ****ty paterns..and needs to be benched for Miles Austin.

 

[DallasEast]

You gotta look at the overall games Williams has played for Dallas & the production he has had...which ain't much. He's lazy..runs ****ty paterns..and needs to be benched for Miles Austin.

Austin has already been named a starter.