Arizona Cardinals NT Dan Williams’ weight loss will help in expanded role on defense

[BullheadCardFan]

On Tuesday, Cardinals coach Bruce Arians mentioned that nose tackle Dan Williams had improved after losing weight this spring.

It was not intended as a back-handed compliment, but that’s what it was, considering Williams’ history of gaining weight in the off-season.

Williams, however, said he gained only about 10 pounds after the season, to the 330-pound range, but plans to report to training camp next month at 315 pounds or so.

“I know when camp comes up, I’ll be ready,” he said. “There’s no 350, no ’60. Those days are behind me.”

“Dan’s lost a ton of weight, looks fantastic,” Arians said. “We’ve just got to keep him there, so he’s ready to go. If he wants to rush the passer, he’s got to stay down at that weight.”

Williams’ pass-rushing opportunities are limited because he doesn’t play in obvious passing situations. But in coordinator Todd Bowles’ system, Williams’ duties have been altered from a year ago.

He’s being asked to penetrate more, not just hold up offensive linemen and then read and react.

“I’m trying to make the offensive linemen react off of me,” he said. “It’s similar to the way I played my last year in college (at Tennessee).”

Link.

 

[Cardsfanstl]

Good to hear.

 

[Catfish]

I hope that Dan Williams is able to become the player that Arians envisions. It would be great to see him become a disruptive force in the middle of our defense, instead of just someone who gets pushed back and forth by the O-line.

With his huge legs and low center of gravity, he could become very formidable in the middle of our 'D'. Let's hope that John Lott has been able to inject a little 'mean' into Big Dan's disposition.

 

[Red Dawn]

Good news, with a new staff and new attitude this season is going to be very interesting.

 

[cardpa]

I am going on record to predict big Dan gets 6-8 sacks this year. If he gets this many then both DD and CC are going to be flirting with double digits.

 

[TigToad]

Sadly, I'm going to predict he comes out of camp as the hyped starter, but ends up only playing 40-50% of snaps with middling results.

I am going on record to predict big Dan gets 6-8 sacks this year. If he gets this many then both DD and CC are going to be flirting with double digits.

 

[kerouac9]

I feel like there was a missed opportunity for wordplay in the headline of this article.

"Williams' Slimming Down May Mean Expanded Role"
"For Williams, Lost Weight Could Mean Gained Playing Time."
"Slimmed Williams Hopes to Get Fat on QB Pressures"

 

[Goldfield]

I am going on record to predict big Dan gets 6-8 sacks this year. If he gets this many then both DD and CC are going to be flirting with double digits.

You need to be drug tested for coolaid.

 

[GuernseyCard]

Sadly, I'm going to predict he comes out of camp as the hyped starter, but ends up only playing 40-50% of snaps with middling results.

In today's football with multi-sub packages is there any nt's that play 50% of the snaps?

 

[Cardiac]

In today's football with multi-sub packages is there any nt's that play 50% of the snaps?

I would guess in the Parcells 3-4 scheme some NT's do get more than 50% of the snaps. Ratliff and Furgeson (?) would be my top candidates to check out the number of snaps they get.

 

[BullheadCardFan]

I feel like there was a missed opportunity for wordplay in the headline of this article.

"Williams' Slimming Down May Mean Expanded Role"
"For Williams, Lost Weight Could Mean Gained Playing Time."
"Slimmed Williams Hopes to Get Fat on QB Pressures"

 

[RugbyMuffin]

My expectations for Dan is to do his job in the 3-4 which is opening up things for other players, and to be able to stay in as DT when using a 4 lineman front.

One the few things I didn't like from Horton was the lack of using a NT in the 3-4. While that 2-4-5 was cool, and strangled good QB's in the passing game, it opened huge holes in the running game.

A little more Dan Williams, and a little more of Shaunessy, and Alexander on the edges should help cut down on teams running all over us.

 

[cardpa]

You need to be drug tested for coolaid.

Is that why my urine has been red in color

 

[Duckjake]

My expectations for Dan is to do his job in the 3-4 which is opening up things for other players, and to be able to stay in as DT when using a 4 lineman front.

One the few things I didn't like from Horton was the lack of using a NT in the 3-4. While that 2-4-5 was cool, and strangled good QB's in the passing game, it opened huge holes in the running game.

A little more Dan Williams, and a little more of Shaunessy, and Alexander on the edges should help cut down on teams running all over us.

They ran all over us but they didn't score touchdowns. The Cardinals' 3 and out defense, hold the other team to a FG attempt which was blocked by Calais.