Dan Williams?

[Pariah]

Did Williams play, and if so, how'd he look?

 

[82CardsGrad]

Solid playing time. IMHO, he did nothing spectacular, but didn't do anything to cause concern either. I havwe to say I was a bit suprised to see him bending over, clearly winded as often as he was. Seems to me conditioning might be an issue at this phase of his development.

 

[MrYeahBut]

I think it was Wolfley who said he looked like a dumpster with arms

 

[Shane]

Did Williams play, and if so, how'd he look?

He played. He was "ok" I would say. Even Urban mentioned how winded he was getting. I am personally not worried about this kid doing his job. Especially when he gets his football legs. His work ethic is to solid.

 

[PJ1]

Thought he looked ok. Moved to play pretty well but agree he was sucking for wind. He certainly played alot at Tennessee so I am not sure what this is about. No altitude issue last night.

 

[ajcardfan]

Solid playing time. IMHO, he did nothing spectacular, but didn't do anything to cause concern either. I havwe to say I was a bit suprised to see him bending over, clearly winded as often as he was. Seems to me conditioning might be an issue at this phase of his development.

I agree with this. I watched him as best I could and was surprised to see him puffing so hard after a handful of snaps. But, it could very well have been an adrenalin rush. Later in the game, he seemed to be doing a bit better.

 

[earthsci]

He was sucking wind but IMO a lot of that was because he didn't give up on the ball when it moved away from him. He hustled.

 

[clif]

when i focused on him he was sucking wind, but seemed to hold his ground. looked like a typical rookie.

 

[Dr. Jones]

Wolfley's quote....

"He is a member of the Butt-string Brigade. Ass from his butt to his knees..... A Dumptruck with arms."

He was gassed a bit but played sideline to sideline when he was in.

 

[thirty-two]

I remember one play where he hustled and stayed with it and ended up tackling the guy near the sideline. He was winded, but I definitely saw some hustle.

 

[kerouac9]

Those big holes that Daryl Washington was running through late in the game? Those were created by Dan Williams.

He wasn't demanding double-teams--yet--but he was positioning his man in run and pass defense that opened holes for linebackers and defensive backs in pursuit. He was doing exactly what you want him to do.

I will say that he definitely looks the part. Super-solid looking. He looks shorter than the other DL because he is, but he's just super-thick. Not super-fat, but like rectangular.

 

[AntSports Steve]

I watched him quite a bit. First impression is he is huge. Looks much bigger than the rest of the guys playing around him, but he is athletic. Holds his ground pretty well at the point of attack. It seems hard to run at him, which is good since his job is stopping the run.

What I really liked is he never gives up. He runs sideline to sideline following the play (when they run away from him). If the runner tries to cut back, he is in position to make a play.

It looks like he will do well as a pro. Good pick Cards.

 

[cardsfanmd]

I was impressed with him. He never got pushed backwards and showed a lot of hustle.

 

[perivolaki]

Wolfley's quote....

"He is a member of the Butt-string Brigade. Ass from his butt to his knees..... A Dumptruck with arms."

He was gassed a bit but played sideline to sideline when he was in.

I heard some guys calling him the onion because of that big backside. Those legs are huge too. He is very very thick.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Thought he looked ok. Moved to play pretty well but agree he was sucking for wind. He certainly played alot at Tennessee so I am not sure what this is about. No altitude issue last night.

Nerves = winded - (been there!)

 

[DoTheDew]

Solid playing time. IMHO, he did nothing spectacular, but didn't do anything to cause concern either. I havwe to say I was a bit suprised to see him bending over, clearly winded as often as he was. Seems to me conditioning might be an issue at this phase of his development.

Sounds like a traditional NT is supposed to. Taking up blockers and opening holes is something that is hard to notice and doesn't show up on the stat sheet. I did see him getting a good push at the point of attack multiple times.

As for him getting winded, that is also something I expected out of him at this stage. Frankly, most traditional NTs aren't every down players anyways. I'm not too concerned, especially looking forward 2 or 3 years after Lott has worked with him more.

 

[binkar]

The guys lower half is absolutely ridiculous. I love the kid. He hustled all the time and never gives ground. Didn't necessarily get a big push, but never ever got pushed back 4 or 5 yards like a saw Watson and Robinson get a couple times.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

]Those big holes that Daryl Washington was running through late in the game? Those were created by Dan Williams. [/B]

He wasn't demanding double-teams--yet--but he was positioning his man in run and pass defense that opened holes for linebackers and defensive backs in pursuit. He was doing exactly what you want him to do.

I will say that he definitely looks the part. Super-solid looking. He looks shorter than the other DL because he is, but he's just super-thick. Not super-fat, but like rectangular.

And who do you credit for Washington's play early in the game?

 

[DoTheDew]

And who do you credit for Washington's play early in the game?

The two spent most of the game out there together. Williams was out there with the second unit, maybe not on every play but I saw him out there multiple times. Probably because NTs don't play every down. Neither one played with the first unit so it isn't a stretch to say that Williams was opening holes for Washington. Washington certainly wasn't opening them for himself. He can't do the impossible, it's not like he's Chuck Norris.

 

[binkar]

The two spent most of the game out there together. Williams was out there with the second unit, maybe not on every play but I saw him out there multiple times. Probably because NTs don't play every down. Neither one played with the first unit so it isn't a stretch to say that Williams was opening holes for Washington. Washington certainly wasn't opening them for himself. He can't do the impossible, it's not like he's Chuck Norris.

You're right...He's better.

 

[DoTheDew]

You're right...He's better.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

The two spent most of the game out there together. Williams was out there with the second unit, maybe not on every play but I saw him out there multiple times. Probably because NTs don't play every down. Neither one played with the first unit so it isn't a stretch to say that Williams was opening holes for Washington. Washington certainly wasn't opening them for himself. He can't do the impossible, it's not like he's Chuck Norris.

I asked the question simply because K-9 has a less than favourable bias towards Washington, and no one hates being wrong more than he.

13 tackles and a fumble recovery in first NFL action... enough said.

 

[kerouac9]

And who do you credit for Washington's play early in the game?

Being able to run 5 yards downfield and make tackles.

To be honest, I wasn't that impressed with Washington's play in the 1st and 2nd quarters. When the slower guys came in after the half, he seemed fast and comfortable. He looked really comfortable calling the plays and getting guys in position.

I think it's a promising start, but I'm (shockingly) not climbing on the bandwagon until I see him be a little less hesitant and pushed around when the #1s are out there.

 

[kerouac9]

I asked the question simply because K-9 has a less than favourable bias towards Washington, and no one hates being wrong more than he.

13 tackles and a fumble recovery in first NFL action... enough said.

9 according to NFL.com, and he played 3 times longer than anyone else. Lots of players look good against Dan Orlovsky and Steve Slaton.

 

[Shane]

9 according to NFL.com, and he played 3 times longer than anyone else. Lots of players look good against Dan Orlovsky and Steve Slaton.

He had 13 tackles. He also was all over the field batting balls, covering fumbles, applying pressure the the QB etc etc.

He was a flat out stud yesterday and it just kills you inside