Is Williams someone this team needs for the future or is he not worthy of bringing back next year?
I'm a fan of Williams but I must admit much like this team he seems just a step to late always. Is he really as bad as many seem to think he is? I will call him a WLB just seems like the position he plays to me. He is "6-3, 220-235 pounds unknown, has 4.53+ speed does not play like it truthfully, will be 27 in July, this was his first year as a full time starter. He started 9 games with 78 combine tackles (55 TKL, 23 AST,), 3 pass defensed very low number for how he was used in our defense and zero sacks. I think he may have missed 3 sure sacks if not more during the season. Missed the final seven games due to concussion symptoms which needs to be considered for his future.
He is an UFA but can we really afford to not show any interest in resigning him? If he could have remained on the field then he would have most likely finished with over 105 tackles. That number would have put him in the top 10 outside linebackers in the NFL. His PDEF number of a possible 5+ would also not be as bad when compared to most OLB's in the NFL. The major consideration for me with him is this was his first year as a fulltime starter. On a defense which could not usually get to the QB consistently and is there anybody who is really going to replace him presently on our roster. Even if we go out and sign someone they will more than likely be in the same age bracket with no experience as a Giant WLB.
Not sure what to think of him. Not very big, not great at POA and now got exposed in coverage b/c his COD wasn't great.
Not sure what to think of him. Not very big, not great at POA and now got exposed in coverage b/c his COD wasn't great.
Time to start over for him and the Giants.
Who knows what the new DC will do but I'd love to see Kennard in the middle with a completely new supporting cast.
2 free agent OLB's the Giants should consider are Bruce Carter and Justin Durant of the Cowboys.
Problem is, he couldn't cover anyone, even though we heard announcers say, time and again, he is the Giant's best coverage linebacker....they must have been reading a script and knew nothing about the guy...
So, if you can't cover, you better be good against the run....sad to say but Herz is better than him against the run, and that is not saying much....he reminds me of Boley....it's like he tries to avoid the initial contact, and then make the tackle downfield....never saw this guy attack a runner or receiver....he would wait for the guy to come to him....with momentum....is it any wonder that after initial contact, the runner would get extra yardage....
He showed promise, his rookie year...then there were injuries.....he just doesn't make plays.....time to move on, if other linebackers are available out there.....A DC coming here looking at him, Paysinger, Herz, a slow McClain, oft injured Beason, and a rookie in the rough, Kennard, or the safety situation, or the DL situation(right now, we have Hankins, that's it), may think twice....
But the problem is that this guy just lacks football instinct. We drafted a guy who fit our athletic profile as a LB, but his lack of football instincts and savvy is what really hurts him as a player.
If I'm not mistaken he played one season at USF and his lack of experience really hurts him.
Robbieballs2003 had a post yesterday that hit the nail right on the head when he pointed out our philosophy when it comes to scouting and draft LBers....Williams, IMO, is exactly what he was talking about.
The above are prime examples of words used by posters on BBI when they are merely repeating the meaningless phrases developed by the wordsmiths on BBI who were talking out of their asses when they threw them up on the message board. Overly dramatic analysis of situational players seems to be a BBI speciality.
P.S. Jacquian Williams isn't going to be a thumper and hasn't developed into an impact player with unique skillsets but he has demonstrated that he can be an asset to the defense and a solid part of a linebacker rotation. I wouldn't overpay to retain him but also wouldn't discard him without a better replacement in hand
Contrary to popular belief, the Giants are not the only team who has trouble covering TE's. It is a league wide issue
I don't doubt that you know a hell of a lot more about it than I do. I'm kind of looking forward to what some of the supposed "flawed" players do in a simpler, attack-oriented scheme (Moore, in particular).
Even if Williams is only a situational type, he could be put to good use until someone better comes along. Realistically, I hardly expect the Giants to suddenly become Linebacker focused and go on a spending spree for the position.
-same size as Cooper Taylor, a safety
what is the value of a 230lb LB if (and I mean if, we dont know) a 230lb safety is better in coverage, zone etc?
I prefer big defensive ends, defensive tackles, and players that can do great zone and/or man cover. If you have LBs at all, let them be genius instinctive MIKE types that can thump as well, smash a gap with authority, move.
as I have ranted for years.
In the context of a defense that hasn't played well against a good offense in more than two years, it's hard to judge individual players - or coaches, for that matter. I doubt Williams is the biggest problem. (He hasn't been the solution, either.) If we're damning him for not being able to cover Jason Witten, a lot of OLBs deserve to lose the jobs.
Contrary to popular belief, the Giants are not the only team who has trouble covering TE's. It is a league wide issue
Good point. I remember the Ravens had Will Hill covering Gronk. Hill was getting beat too but the ravens must have thought Hill would do better than one of their LBs.
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Fair enough. His warts, to my eye, are fundamental and not what a team needs from an OLB. Only time will tell.
I don't doubt that you know a hell of a lot more about it than I do. I'm kind of looking forward to what some of the supposed "flawed" players do in a simpler, attack-oriented scheme (Moore, in particular).
Even if Williams is only a situational type, he could be put to good use until someone better comes along. Realistically, I hardly expect the Giants to suddenly become Linebacker focused and go on a spending spree for the position.
If they were able to sign a promising MIKE, e.g. a healthy player at Beason's ability level, it would go a long way in restoring performance from the unit. I've heard they're going to be bolstering the Safety position this offseason, let's find a MIKE as well. If we're sticking with the 4-3, as expected, we figure to deploy a lot of big nickel looks. A smart, instinctive MIKE who can run is vital.
It is meaningless as a discription because that's a freaking tackle which is his job. Make enough "chase and drag" plays near or behind the line of scrimage and you're an all-pro. In my opinion, rookie LB Bortland of the 49ers is a "chase and drag" player who has good "read and react" instints. Bortland isn't very good at "getting off of the block" when an Olineman catches him but he "flows to the ball" in an "attacking way" full of energy
Etc...
we dont have enough speedy linebackers. ..
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In comment 12091555 JonC said:
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Fair enough. His warts, to my eye, are fundamental and not what a team needs from an OLB. Only time will tell.
I don't doubt that you know a hell of a lot more about it than I do. I'm kind of looking forward to what some of the supposed "flawed" players do in a simpler, attack-oriented scheme (Moore, in particular).
Even if Williams is only a situational type, he could be put to good use until someone better comes along. Realistically, I hardly expect the Giants to suddenly become Linebacker focused and go on a spending spree for the position.
If they were able to sign a promising MIKE, e.g. a healthy player at Beason's ability level, it would go a long way in restoring performance from the unit. I've heard they're going to be bolstering the Safety position this offseason, let's find a MIKE as well. If we're sticking with the 4-3, as expected, we figure to deploy a lot of big nickel looks. A smart, instinctive MIKE who can run is vital.
JonC: Agree completely. I suspect that Williams may not be the sharpest pencil in the box. If that's true, he (and any other LBs) would greatly benefit from having a guy who can help direct his efforts and also kick him in the ass for screwing up.
Also, not to sound too much like a broken record, but it occurs to me that if he is a bit on the dim side, an attack scheme rather than read/react may take some of the pressure off him.
Offer the minimum and see if someone else is more interested.