Ryan Williams

[Duckjake]

All we've ever heard or seen from Williams is talk. After some initial excitement, I've pretty much given up any hope. Even when allegedly healthy, (which of course now he wasn't) he didn't show anything.

I'd love to see him actually do something in a real NFL regular season game. Until then shut up, and PLEASE stop referring to anything regarding Walter Payton. It's embarassing.

I thought maybe he was going to turn it around after having that solid game vs the Eagles in week three. But then he went right back to having poor games vs Miami and STL. Williams averaged 1.8 yards per carry in the other 4 games. Dang our offense was terrible last season.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

I believe the issue is not at all about RW's heart or "want to".
That's all...

Agreed.

The NFL is an extremely tough situation to be in. You have a play a sport where injuries are the norm. You have to play at the highest level.

Yet, business sense tells you the longer you can play the more money you make.

I think Ryan Williams wants to play in the NFL, actually there is no doubt about it.

Yet, is he being too conservative in the name of longevity ? You can't help the team unless you are on the field. But, when you are on the field you can't help the team unless you go 100%.

I always look to Reggie Bush's situation in New Orleans. He got hurt, he came back, but you could tell he was conservative about the situation, and that effected his play. It got to the point where Reggie Bush was not looked at as the player he once was, and it seemed he was always nursing something.

Fast-forward to Reggie Bush in Miami. It got to the point where it was make or break for Bush in Miami. At that point of "I have nothing to lose" Bush starts playing at the talent level he had the potential for.

People are not crazy for questioning Ryan Williams' head. He already admitted to being scared to play when he came back from his first injury. Goodness only knows how he will be effected by his current state of affairs. He cannot play it safe or he will be cut, but he can't get injured again or he will be cut.

Tough situation to be in. Its not a question of the man's will, it is a question of how he will attack his current situation. He is in a tough spot no matter what but that is the cold life of the NFL.

I honestly believe he is being conservative cause he just wants to play football. He is trying to "stay healthy" so he can play. Nothing wrong with that, but in his current position it may cost him his job.

If he plays 100% effort, and plays through the pain he may get injured, but I feel it gives him the best chance to make the roster. But again, if he gets hurt, then he is cut.

So, again, I do not think this is a case of "want to", I believe his intentions are to do what he has to in order to get on the field, I just don't know if he is in the right frame of mind, ON THE FIELD. Thus why I am on the fence about the situation and his mental toughness.

Guy has shown amazing fortitude in getting back on the field. Once there is where I question where his head is. I guarantee whatever he is thinking, he wants to do the "right thing". What that is I have an opinion on, go 100%, but who knows if that is the "right thing to do for Ryan Williams."

Maybe he is just not built for the NFL, which sucks, but Ryan Swope will tell you there is not much you can do to change it.

What happens after he comes back is largely up to the football gods.

Darn tootin'

And all I am saying in this thread, is it is not looking good for Williams. I don't see how he is going to make this team. Fair or not.............actually it is not but that is the NFL.

 

[Darkside]

There have been plenty of studs who wanted to compete at the NFL level, but couldn't for health reasons...
I'm confident that if RW doesn't make it all the way back, it won't be because he didn't want it. Sometimes, the body just won't allow it - period...

Having heart is actually a discussion I wanted to have, because it doesn't separate Williams from anyone else. These are pro players, all of them have heart. There may be some lazy-asses who survive merely on talent, but not for long. You have to have a ton of heart to play in the NFL, a ton of want-to, a ton of desire. Even backups have heart just to stay backups in the NFL.

It's sad what's happened to Williams body, but his knee injury is one that isn't very recoverable even in today's NFL. I don't question his heart at all, I just question his body. Kolb at least played occasionally, but he was beleaguered with the same set of issues regarding his body not staying healthy. The only difference is we paid Kolb millions, so we go off on him and his frail body, while Williams gets a pass.

 

[Cardiac]

Agreed.

The NFL is an extremely tough situation to be in. You have a play a sport where injuries are the norm. You have to play at the highest level.

Yet, business sense tells you the longer you can play the more money you make.

I think Ryan Williams wants to play in the NFL, actually there is no doubt about it.

Yet, is he being too conservative in the name of longevity ? You can't help the team unless you are on the field. But, when you are on the field you can't help the team unless you go 100%.

I always look to Reggie Bush's situation in New Orleans. He got hurt, he came back, but you could tell he was conservative about the situation, and that effected his play. It got to the point where Reggie Bush was not looked at as the player he once was, and it seemed he was always nursing something.

Fast-forward to Reggie Bush in Miami. It got to the point where it was make or break for Bush in Miami. At that point of "I have nothing to lose" Bush starts playing at the talent level he had the potential for.

People are not crazy for questioning Ryan Williams' head. He already admitted to being scared to play when he came back from his first injury. Goodness only knows how he will be effected by his current state of affairs. He cannot play it safe or he will be cut, but he can't get injured again or he will be cut.

Tough situation to be in. Its not a question of the man's will, it is a question of how he will attack his current situation. He is in a tough spot no matter what but that is the cold life of the NFL.

I honestly believe he is being conservative cause he just wants to play football. He is trying to "stay healthy" so he can play. Nothing wrong with that, but in his current position it may cost him his job.

If he plays 100% effort, and plays through the pain he may get injured, but I feel it gives him the best chance to make the roster. But again, if he gets hurt, then he is cut.

So, again, I do not think this is a case of "want to", I believe his intentions are to do what he has to in order to get on the field, I just don't know if he is in the right frame of mind, ON THE FIELD. Thus why I am on the fence about the situation and his mental toughness.

Guy has shown amazing fortitude in getting back on the field. Once there is where I question where his head is. I guarantee whatever he is thinking, he wants to do the "right thing". What that is I have an opinion on, go 100%, but who knows if that is the "right thing to do for Ryan Williams."

Maybe he is just not built for the NFL, which sucks, but Ryan Swope will tell you there is not much you can do to change it.




Darn tootin'

And all I am saying in this thread, is it is not looking good for Williams. I don't see how he is going to make this team. Fair or not.............actually it is not but that is the NFL.

This is what I wanted to say but doubt I could have worded it so well.

 

[ASUCHRIS]

I thought maybe he was going to turn it around after having that solid game vs the Eagles in week three. But then he went right back to having poor games vs Miami and STL. Williams averaged 1.8 yards per carry in the other 4 games. Dang our offense was terrible last season.

Yep, I hope the guy kills it, but it's not looking good.

 

[RON_IN_OC]

Sometimes 4/6 is quite a lot in court.

I can hear Meatloaf signing...Don't look sad, because four out of six ain't bad.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[82CardsGrad]

I thought maybe he was going to turn it around after having that solid game vs the Eagles in week three. But then he went right back to having poor games vs Miami and STL. Williams averaged 1.8 yards per carry in the other 4 games. Dang our offense was terrible last season.

I know we joke about it - a lot... But, behind what we called an o-line, I'm amazed he averaged more than a yard per carry...

 

[82CardsGrad]

Agreed.

The NFL is an extremely tough situation to be in. You have a play a sport where injuries are the norm. You have to play at the highest level.

Yet, business sense tells you the longer you can play the more money you make.

I think Ryan Williams wants to play in the NFL, actually there is no doubt about it.

Yet, is he being too conservative in the name of longevity ? You can't help the team unless you are on the field. But, when you are on the field you can't help the team unless you go 100%.

I always look to Reggie Bush's situation in New Orleans. He got hurt, he came back, but you could tell he was conservative about the situation, and that effected his play. It got to the point where Reggie Bush was not looked at as the player he once was, and it seemed he was always nursing something.

Fast-forward to Reggie Bush in Miami. It got to the point where it was make or break for Bush in Miami. At that point of "I have nothing to lose" Bush starts playing at the talent level he had the potential for.

People are not crazy for questioning Ryan Williams' head. He already admitted to being scared to play when he came back from his first injury. Goodness only knows how he will be effected by his current state of affairs. He cannot play it safe or he will be cut, but he can't get injured again or he will be cut.

Tough situation to be in. Its not a question of the man's will, it is a question of how he will attack his current situation. He is in a tough spot no matter what but that is the cold life of the NFL.

I honestly believe he is being conservative cause he just wants to play football. He is trying to "stay healthy" so he can play. Nothing wrong with that, but in his current position it may cost him his job.

If he plays 100% effort, and plays through the pain he may get injured, but I feel it gives him the best chance to make the roster. But again, if he gets hurt, then he is cut.

So, again, I do not think this is a case of "want to", I believe his intentions are to do what he has to in order to get on the field, I just don't know if he is in the right frame of mind, ON THE FIELD. Thus why I am on the fence about the situation and his mental toughness.

Guy has shown amazing fortitude in getting back on the field. Once there is where I question where his head is. I guarantee whatever he is thinking, he wants to do the "right thing". What that is I have an opinion on, go 100%, but who knows if that is the "right thing to do for Ryan Williams."

Maybe he is just not built for the NFL, which sucks, but Ryan Swope will tell you there is not much you can do to change it.




Darn tootin'

And all I am saying in this thread, is it is not looking good for Williams. I don't see how he is going to make this team. Fair or not.............actually it is not but that is the NFL.

I think we're on the same page Rugby... He is seriously behind the 8 ball right now. And if he fails to make it, it will only be because his knee wouldn't let him, not his heart...

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

First, we only have about a month more, at most, of hearing about Ryan Williams and his knee. He gone.

Second, I still find it funny that I keep hearing all the excuses about how tough it is for RW, defend him, and then turn around and bash Wells about his toughness, and performance, when he basically played 2 years on 1 leg.

It's just like the example someone used of Thomas Jones being always hurt. He wasn't. It's amazing the public perception some players have. Williams is cleared to play, doesn't, and is seen as victim of circumstances. Wells is cleared to play, does while clearly hobbled, and is gladly run out of town.

It even goes back to Leonard Davis and Karlos Dansby. Davis was seen as failure even though he was by far our best OL and , at the same time, people loved Reggie Wells who was a backup level player, at best.

Dansby was easily replaceable, a malcontent, and oft injured. Reality points out that he was the teams best defensive player, a team leader, and very durable.

 

[cardpa]

Agreed.

The NFL is an extremely tough situation to be in. You have a play a sport where injuries are the norm. You have to play at the highest level.

Yet, business sense tells you the longer you can play the more money you make.

I think Ryan Williams wants to play in the NFL, actually there is no doubt about it.

Yet, is he being too conservative in the name of longevity ? You can't help the team unless you are on the field. But, when you are on the field you can't help the team unless you go 100%.

I always look to Reggie Bush's situation in New Orleans. He got hurt, he came back, but you could tell he was conservative about the situation, and that effected his play. It got to the point where Reggie Bush was not looked at as the player he once was, and it seemed he was always nursing something.

Fast-forward to Reggie Bush in Miami. It got to the point where it was make or break for Bush in Miami. At that point of "I have nothing to lose" Bush starts playing at the talent level he had the potential for.

People are not crazy for questioning Ryan Williams' head. He already admitted to being scared to play when he came back from his first injury. Goodness only knows how he will be effected by his current state of affairs. He cannot play it safe or he will be cut, but he can't get injured again or he will be cut.

Tough situation to be in. Its not a question of the man's will, it is a question of how he will attack his current situation. He is in a tough spot no matter what but that is the cold life of the NFL.

I honestly believe he is being conservative cause he just wants to play football. He is trying to "stay healthy" so he can play. Nothing wrong with that, but in his current position it may cost him his job.

If he plays 100% effort, and plays through the pain he may get injured, but I feel it gives him the best chance to make the roster. But again, if he gets hurt, then he is cut.

So, again, I do not think this is a case of "want to", I believe his intentions are to do what he has to in order to get on the field, I just don't know if he is in the right frame of mind, ON THE FIELD. Thus why I am on the fence about the situation and his mental toughness.

Guy has shown amazing fortitude in getting back on the field. Once there is where I question where his head is. I guarantee whatever he is thinking, he wants to do the "right thing". What that is I have an opinion on, go 100%, but who knows if that is the "right thing to do for Ryan Williams."

Maybe he is just not built for the NFL, which sucks, but Ryan Swope will tell you there is not much you can do to change it.




Darn tootin'

And all I am saying in this thread, is it is not looking good for Williams. I don't see how he is going to make this team. Fair or not.............actually it is not but that is the NFL.

Great points and well stated Rugby. Pretty much what I was trying to say. I don't doubt for a second that Williams wants to play. I believe he is mentally not there once he steps on the field. He is having trouble wiping the thought of getting injured again out of his mind when he is on the field therefore it affects his play.

 

[GuernseyCard]

Great points and well stated Rugby. Pretty much what I was trying to say. I don't doubt for a second that Williams wants to play. I believe he is mentally not there once he steps on the field. He is having trouble wiping the thought of getting injured again out of his mind when he is on the field therefore it affects his play.

Well, i just reviewed a few games from last season and saw no hesitation, lack of willingness to cut hard into traffic and take the hits and bounce up. Keep in mind, that his concern about re-injury related to the 2012 season, and we don't know his present state of mind.

 

[kerouac9]

Well, i just reviewed a few games from last season and saw no hesitation, lack of willingness to cut hard into traffic and take the hits and bounce up. Keep in mind, that his concern about re-injury related to the 2012 season, and we don't know his present state of mind.

So you scanned through a bunch of games to find the random 20 or so attempts last season when he actually gained yards?

If you don't believe that he's hesitant, maybe the conclusion that you reached is that he just isn't very good at football.

 

[GuernseyCard]

So you scanned through a bunch of games to find the random 20 or so attempts last season when he actually gained yards?

If you don't believe that he's hesitant, maybe the conclusion that you reached is that he just isn't very good at football.

My conclusion was that I was hard pressed to see a hole.

 

[Mitch]

The problem Ryan Williams has created for himself is a perception that he not only is physically unable to hold up, but that because of his injuries, he is scared.

Now---Williams admitted what most football players would never admit---he admitted that he played scared last year.

Perhaps General Douglass McArthur said it best: "Courage is putting aside your fear and doing your job."

McArthur's implication is that all men have to battle with fear, especially soldiers in the line of fire.

For Ryan Williams---this week he dazzled in the non-contact scrimmages and then the very first day of contact, he suddenly was icing up a knee on the sidelines.

The terse manner in which BA reacted at RW's insistence to get a second opinion (after RW's MRI was clean)---is a manifestation of the aforementioned perception.

Again---this is perception.

Meanwhile, un-drafted, unheralded, 3rd year walk-on Alfonso Smith is out there on the field taking the romance out of the ILB blitz and running like a man possessed whenever he touches the ball.

Williams calls himself "Little Sweetness"---well, the real "Sweetness" (Walter Payton) was pound-for-pound the toughest player on the football field.

Williams is at the point where he needs to find a way to assume his idol's grit or find a new career.

Most of us should be able to relate to RW---if you've played football and been badly injured, you know what RW is going through. Kind of like if you've been hurt in a bad car accident---it isn't so easy to get behind the wheel again, is it?

If I were RW's mentor, I would suggest that he read Stephen Crane's The Red Badge of Courage, which, imo, is one of the all-time greatest psychological studies of human fear.

Henry Fleming enlisted in the Union Army because he had illusions of grandeur. He saw himself returning home after the war and being paraded as a hometown hero.

The greatest problem for Henry was---when he joined his regiment, because there were no battles yet, all they did was sit around---which was the worst thing possible for a young soldier, because it gave Henry too much time to think.

And then Henry thought the unthinkable: What if I am a coward? Will I run at the first sign of battle?

When Henry asks his fellow soldiers if they ever think about running---one soldier (Jim Conklin---a Jesus Christ figure) says that, if the regiment runs, he will run---which comforts Henry---but another soldier (Wilson---the loud soldier) humiliates and embarrasses Henry when he says: "Of course NOT!"

Now---Stephen Crane pulls off a very clever surprise, which speaks to General McArthur's premise that all men have to tackle their own fears---because after Henry runs from battle (and receives a red badge of courage [bloody wound] when a fellow Union soldier conks him in the head with the butt of his rifle) and later on is reunited with Wilson, there is a great ironic role-reversal where Wilson thinks Henry was the brave one, and Wilson was the coward.

The thing is---both Henry and Wilson manage to put aside their fears and wind up capturing the Confederates' flag!

How did they do it?

Interestingly, they did it out of pride for their fellow soldiers and for their much-maligned regiment. While filling their canteens down by the river one afternoon they hear a general call their regiment a bunch of "lousy mule drivers."

Then Henry and Wilson hear that the general plans to make their regiment the front line of the next attack, which is often give to the regiment with the least value because it is assumed logically that most of them will be killed on the front line---kind of like pawns in a chess game.

Now---one would think this news would have scared Henry and Wilson more than any other! But, the "bunch of lousy mule-drivers" comment sticks painfully in their craws. By then Henry and Wilson feel a strong loyalty to their fellow soldiers---and they feel that the regiment is capable of heroic feats---so they rise to the challenge and fight like crazed dogs.

Stephen Crane knew a little something about pride---not just self-pride, but pride in the team, the cause, the brotherhood and the mission.

Alfred, Lord Tennyson called it "one equal temper of heroic hearts."

If Ryan Williams makes it----this will be what it takes. His teammates love him---and coming in, so does BA. But, BA is just the kind of coach RW needs right now. BA will push Williams and will challenge him mentally and physically---and so will his Cardinal teammates.

BA: "We're not the Cardinals yet. We are 90 men trying to win jobs. When we get the 53, then we will be a team."

Interesting to see whether Ryan Williams will be one of them.

If so, Ryan Williams is going to have to shatter the perceptions.

 

[kerouac9]

My conclusion was that I was hard pressed to see a hole.

I wonder what tape you were watching. These screenshots are from the Week 1 game against the Seahawks, and are three rushes for a combined three yards and a lost fumble on the second play of the game.

There are NFL-caliber holes there. What you see is Ryan Williams trying to make jump cuts or bounce to the outside in order to protect his body.

 

[82CardsGrad]

First, we only have about a month more, at most, of hearing about Ryan Williams and his knee. He gone.

Second, I still find it funny that I keep hearing all the excuses about how tough it is for RW, defend him, and then turn around and bash Wells about his toughness, and performance, when he basically played 2 years on 1 leg.

It's just like the example someone used of Thomas Jones being always hurt. He wasn't. It's amazing the public perception some players have. Williams is cleared to play, doesn't, and is seen as victim of circumstances. Wells is cleared to play, does while clearly hobbled, and is gladly run out of town.

Gimme a break... Wells NEVER had an injury that ever came close to the security of the injury Williams suffered...

 

[GuernseyCard]

I wonder what tape you were watching. These screenshots are from the Week 1 game against the Seahawks, and are three rushes for a combined three yards and a lost fumble on the second play of the game.

There are NFL-caliber holes there. What you see is Ryan Williams trying to make jump cuts or bounce to the outside in order to protect his body.

'Protect his body' is your interpretation.

 

[Mitch]

When I think about the pride factor---I think about what happened to Kevin Kolb last year. It may have been the best thing for Kolb that Tommy Kelly called him a chicken.

We know Kolb didn't have to play for the money. He had already pocketed over $30M his last year in Philly and his first two years in AZ.

Kolb was playing for pride as much as anything else.

And he changed a lot of people's perceptions about him.

He's now getting ripped in the Buffalo media for poor performances in TC. Wonder if he will summon up a similar dose of pride this time around.

 

[Buckybird]

Gimme a break... Wells NEVER had an injury that ever came close to the security of the injury Williams suffered...

Glad to see you have Doctor on your résumé

Nothing specific ever came out of Wells knee surgeries & cleanouts (numerous) or the severity of his injuries other he might have had a micro fracture surgery, which has ended several careers. In fact, with Beanie not being on a roster could mean his NFL career might be over given his history.

IMO none of us know whose injuries have been more severe, though RWs patella injury has ended careers also.

 

[kerouac9]

'Protect his body' is your interpretation.

Fine. Then he wasn't identifying the correct hole, or lacked the quickness to reach it before it closed.

As I said, either he was playing tentative because he was scared (his statement) or he's bad at football.

It's easy to tell when I'm making good points, because you stop discussing them and turn to semantics.

 

[Mulli]

Darren Urban reporting on Twitter that RW "is sitting again today."

 

[Mulli]

I am pretty sure I blasted the Bean quite enough for consistency purposes.

 

[GuernseyCard]

Fine. Then he wasn't identifying the correct hole, or lacked the quickness to reach it before it closed.

As I said, either he was playing tentative because he was scared (his statement) or he's bad at football.

It's easy to tell when I'm making good points, because you stop discussing them and turn to semantics.

Being one up is your thing, as we well know.

Time will tell if your premise animated by your animus proves true.

 

[kerouac9]

Being one up is your thing, as we well know.

Time will tell if your premise animated by your animus proves true.

My premise, substantiated by evidence, is only parallel to my animus, not caused by it.

Meanwhile, your position seems sorely lacking in any kind of actual evidence at all.

 

[GuernseyCard]

My premise, substantiated by evidence, is only parallel to my animus, not caused by it.

Meanwhile, your position seems sorely lacking in any kind of actual evidence at all.

.... and with that you have the last word.

Have an ale and toast yourself.