Andre Williams and coaching

He's repeating these mistakes consistently, but he's still learning and isn't displaying patience yet. He did see the massive hole leading to the long run, and occasionally sees the cutback lanes, but it's definitely something they need to improve. Ironically, Darkwa showed requisite patience in waiting for blocks to set up, especially on his TD run.

I'm not certain that mere coaching and film study can train him to make a split-second decision - in a dynamic situation - more quickly. Until teams begin using high-quality simulators, I think one can only improve in this area with practice.

probably encouraging him, reminding him, and eventually he popped the long run, both of which should boost his confidence.

he goes right to the hole, immediately....when you do that, you are amongst the trees of both lines and it's hard to see the cutback lanes.....Ron Dayne was just the opposite....he wouldn't go to the hole, he would wait and wait and wait before turning it on, because that was the Wisconsin way....

I am sure he can better with coaching and experience. It's clearly an area he needs to improve on because he lacks top end speed. He has some nice skills and I like his running style once he gets past the first level. If we had a healthy Jennings all year his flaws would be less of an issue. At this point I think he is a nice RB2 with upside. Hopefully all the reps he is getting this season will help going forward.

when the blocking gets better, but suffers when it doesn't get blocked according to play.

He attacks the hole right away. That's great when you have a good OL. Not good when you're trying to make something out of nothing.

He spent his first year running into the backs of his blockers. He learned to have some patience and to read the blocking and the rest is history

...to being an effective bounce/cutback runner, to being one of the most patient backs the game has ever seen his last three years. DeMarco Murray has certainly gotten better. So it's possible. More the exception than the rule, though. For every Tiki Barber, there have been several Ron Daynes - backs who are accustomed to huge holes - or at least to having ample time to read their blocks - and who never learn to read and react in a fluid way. The most common case would probably be a Brandon Jacobs or Marion Barber, who improve somewhat, but not exponentially.

I think what we're really talking about isn't developing vision - which is more an innate thing - but developing patience while converting information into action more quickly. It's an aspect of having the game slow down.

not on giants.com highlights suprisingly

in the backfield was something we never see from him, and it was a beautiful thing to watch.

went through how many coaching staffs? He never learned it. Darkwa also outclassed him in passing-game efficiency. & we remarked about this the day he was signed, by the way. He saved Eli a first-down sack &turned the play into a successful +6 by knowing where to make himself available for a short dunk. He picks up the correct man in pressures. He stops the rusher. Instincts , by definition, cannot be taught. Some of what I just mentioned can be, to a degree. However 44 is not a positive force, at least just now,

In comment 12048402 Big Blue Blogger said:

Quote:

...to being an effective bounce/cutback runner, to being one of the most patient backs the game has ever seen his last three years. DeMarco Murray has certainly gotten better. So it's possible. More the exception than the rule, though. For every Tiki Barber, there have been several Ron Daynes - backs who are accustomed to huge holes - or at least to having ample time to read their blocks - and who never learn to read and react in a fluid way. The most common case would probably be a Brandon Jacobs or Marion Barber, who improve somewhat, but not exponentially. I think what we're really talking about isn't developing vision - which is more an innate thing - but developing patience while converting information into action more quickly. It's an aspect of having the game slow down.

From what we know, (maybe it's not widely known) Andre is a very cerebral guy, kind of a higher thinker, studious and well-read. I think he can make the adjustment.

There seems to be an element of "I better hit the hole fast, because the longer I wait, the smaller it's gonna get."

There's a tendency to view that brainiac quality as a negative in players like Tiki or Strahan or Toomer or - on a lesser level - Dhani Jones. We suspect the toughness of football players who embrace poetry, yoga, the visual arts, or who can speak intelligently about subjects outside the lines. But maybe it's no coincidence that those guys all enjoyed long careers, and continued to refine their craft after most peers hit a plateau.

Since the beginning of time rookie rbs are instructed to run to the design of the play. no freelancing.

Andre Williams is doing what he is told.

Is an NFL HB in the making he is just learning how to be an NFL HB. He will rush for 700+ yards in his first year Tiki rushed for 900+ total in his first three years and is the best HB this team has ever had point.

The one area of concern I see with Williams is his being tackled from odd angles and not going forward upon contact. He seems to fall into some very dangerous body angles during the game. I could say the same thing for Donnell but he is landing on his head not his lower body. Williams is a big guy who does not need additional weight just some minor running form adjustments in and out of the holes. His pass blocking is also something that is getting better but still needs some fine tuning.

Two things he couldn't do at the beginning of the season: block or catch. He has made great progress in both of these areas. He's not perfect yet, but has made huge progress.

He's a rookie without the advantage of a good run blocking line. That said he is playing better each week. Progress.

Retro is generally money as far as I am concerned, but I am going to disagree somewhat. Darkwa made a nice play yesterday but there is nothing to say that he would continue to make nice plays over 200 carries.

Williams has all the same physical attributes at 15 lbs heavier and with more power. The guy knows how to read blocks, it's a question of learning what NFL players can do compared to college players.

Ron Dayne was a limited player. He got big college numbers running behind a line that routinely blew holes 3 yards across in opposing offenses so he could get through untouched. Williams did not have that luxury in college.

nor the speed that Williams has. He needs to learn to set up his blocks and be more patient. He may never master those skills... If not.. He can still be a battering ram compliment to a more complete back.

Lewis Tillman..

He is a work in progress. Has anyone noticed the difference in his blocking of late? Not perfect but he is game and its making a difference.

watch his first step. I have high hopes
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In the Titan game on his long TD run after the toss if he hadn't bobbled the ball and took that extra second to gain hold I doubt he makes the same run. The hesitation clearly helped him hit to take the best route IMO but he would have not seen it if he would have caught the ball cleanly.

has 4 things that stand out
1) AW's first step
2) Richburgh's block on Donald
3) He just plows that DB
4) he makes a cut to follow Randall's block downfield

i thought AW improved yesterday
he had many runs that while they were not huge gainers
he at least go thru the line to the second level

In comment 12049618 giantfanboy said:

Quote:

i thought AW improved yesterday he had many runs that while they were not huge gainers he at least go thru the line to the second level

That's all you need, really, as a RB. DeMarco Murray doesnt bust off 70 yard TDs every run. Just consistently moving, and occasionally pops huge runs.

At the college level, the blocking and holes are at a different speed and effectiveness. For some backs, it takes time to get used to NFL blocking and/or to trust the play and the OL.

He isnt patient enough to let blocks develop, and as a result, not only does he run into his blockers, he misses the cut backs where he could actually gain more yards than where the play was originally drawn up to go

you say he doesn't do on that 1 play

As others have noted, he needs to hone some things, but you can't be anything but pleased with what he is offering and the improvement he is showing

I took the path of least resistance, you know sometimes a DB is there but he's not there

He's a powerful guy as well as being quick and smart.

He lacks vision, plain and simple

with those who are seeing improvement. Seems to me that the game, as predicted, is slowing down for AW. Combined with improved (though still unexceptional) line play, his production is improving. Let's try to be a little patient and hope he continues to develop this way. Oh, and Fells had a nice block on that long run as well (whenever a TE has a good block we should celebrate that rare event!).

has been saying all season that Williams has a tendency to run to contact. Banks said he saw adjustment in the Ram game and Williams ran to daylight.