Would Roy Williams Be A Successful LB?

[Redskin Warrior]

First and foremost this is not a suggestion to place Roy Williams with Marcus Washington in the starting lineup. Obviously, Roy is a liability in coverage killing his chances to be a starting safety. I have been debating if he could be a successful linebacker in the NFL. I thought if he bulks up he would have a better chance, but then again Dungy's "Tampa 2 D" allowed a lot of unsized, quicker and agile player succeed. I'm not sure if he would tho

[GridIron26]

There is a chance for Roy to be successful at LB position but I wouldn't take the risk though.. Unless we already have a starting caliber LB and we could get Roy for good price, then I definitely would do the experiment..

[wilsowilso]

I would give it a shot. It all depends on if Williams is fully commited to making the switch because his pride always told him he was a saftey who could cover people. Now that it has been proven over and over that he can't cover recievers on the NFL level maybe he will come to terms with that and embrace the switch. He probably could be a great linebacker.

[The Goat]

Uh... OLBs in the 4-3 have to cover TEs and even receivers once in awhile, especially our SLB. Williams could conceivably play WLB in our system but he would be way undersized IMO. We'd be better off bringing Marcus back as WLB or possibly moving Wilson from DE to WLB.

[SFREDSKIN]

HB Blades is 5'10" 250lbs, Williams is listed at 6' 225lbs. The only way to find out is he was given a chance and also he would have to gain at least 10-15lbs.

[53Fan]

Well he was'nt a successful safety. Who knows?

[The Goat]

Originally Posted by 53Fan

Well he was'nt a successful safety. Who knows?

Word. I'd take Marcus back in a heartbeat over Williams, what about u

[sportscurmudgeon]

Redskin Warrior:

He would be a far better OLB than he would be a safety because when he makes a mistake at safety - - and he DOES make mistakes there - - the result is always a big play and often a TD.

I suggested here several years ago that the Skins should try Sean Taylor at OLB because he too made way too many mistakes at safety and gave up too many big plays. As a linebacker, when he made a mistake, at least there was someone else there to try to minimize the damage. Let the record show that 99% of the Warpathers thought that was about as dumb an idea as they had ever heard.

Having said that, I think the Skins would be better served to let some other team try to teach Roy williams this new position...

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by sportscurmudgeon

Redskin Warrior:

He would be a far better OLB than he would be a safety because when he makes a mistake at safety - - and he DOES make mistakes there - - the result is always a big play and often a TD.

I suggested here several years ago that the Skins should try Sean Taylor at OLB because he too made way too many mistakes at safety and gave up too many big plays. As a linebacker, when he made a mistake, at least there was someone else there to try to minimize the damage. Let the record show that 99% of the Warpathers thought that was about as dumb an idea as they had ever heard.

Having said that, I think the Skins would be better served to let some other team try to teach Roy williams this new position...

99% eh? Ok

[GMScud]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

99% eh? Ok

I'd love it if we could dig up that thread....

[jamf]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

99% eh? Ok

89% of statistics are made up on the spot.

[Son Of Man]

Originally Posted by sportscurmudgeon

Redskin Warrior:

He would be a far better OLB than he would be a safety because when he makes a mistake at safety - - and he DOES make mistakes there - - the result is always a big play and often a TD.

I suggested here several years ago that the Skins should try Sean Taylor at OLB because he too made way too many mistakes at safety and gave up too many big plays. As a linebacker, when he made a mistake, at least there was someone else there to try to minimize the damage. Let the record show that 99% of the Warpathers thought that was about as dumb an idea as they had ever heard.

Having said that, I think the Skins would be better served to let some other team try to teach Roy williams this new position...

You would have been dead-ass wrong about Sean Taylor!!!!!!
Before he passed, he was leading thew NFL in interceptions and was elected to the Pro-Bowl post-humously. even though he had 1 bad season, while teaming up with Archuleta, he always showed promise as a safety. Like when he shut Randy Moss down, then with the Vikings, his rookie year. Or when he sealed the late 4th quarter upset victory over Dallas (after the 2 Moss touchdowns) by laying a decleater on P Clayton and seperating him from the ball preventing a 4th down conversion.

I know that this is supposed to be a Roy Williams thread, but don't downplay the Trantula. he was our best player and would have been a HOF.

[gully]

Williams is the type of safety/LB hybrid that isn't very popular in the NFL (but often very effective in college ball) - a lot like archuleta/lynch actually. He has weaknesses in coverage but is an excellent tackler and run defender.

He'll find a team that can use him, but he's going to take a big paycut. I think he'll be useful and successful, but definitely not with the skins.

[John Denny]

He could and he couldn't. He has a nose for the ball but would be undersized even if he added 10-15 lbs. Pulling lineman would really challenge him. I think he'd thrive covering the flats and crossing routes as someone said in another thread because he plays with his chin strap strapped. He might be better suited to play a "LB" position in a cobra set but at 28 (I also thought he was older) he likely won't want to switch positions. Someone will sign him at big dollars to play safety.

[KLHJ2]

Originally Posted by John Denny

He could and he couldn't. He has a nose for the ball but would be undersized even if he added 10-15 lbs. Pulling lineman would really challenge him. I think he'd thrive covering the flats and crossing routes as someone said in another thread because he plays with his chin strap strapped. He might be better suited to play a "LB" position in a cobra set but at 28 (I also thought he was older) he likely won't want to switch positions. Someone will sign him at big dollars to play safety.

I had no idea that he was that young. If he were to bulk up I could easily see him as a Will Linebacker. Talent is talent and skills are skills. You can either play football or you can't. Roy Williams is a football player, he may not be fast, but he can ball.