Demorrio Williams to split time (1 Viewer)

[Gannz]

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Williams, Nicholas share LB spot

By Steve Wyche | Thursday, September 13, 2007, 04:16 PM

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Falcons outside linebacker Demorrio Williams did not play in the second half of Sunday’s 24-3 loss to Minnesota, as the coaching staff went with rookie Stephen Nicholas.

Nicholas produced five tackles to Williams’ four and was more effective overall with his gap fits and things of that nature. After the game, coach Bobby Petrino said that the plan was to play both players in the manner that they did.

Neither player said he was made aware of the strategy.

Petrino said the Falcons are preparing for both players to play again this Sunday at Jacksonville, but he and defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer declined to name a starter.

Williams has worked with the starters most of the week but Zimmer said they’re going to roll with whoever has practiced well and is playing the best.

Williams admitted that he was off in the opener and that his rustiness could have been a byproduct of missing offseason workouts and most of the preseason while he recovered from torn pectorals surgery.

Nicholas said he benefited from all of the offseason and preseason work with the starting unit - in Williams’ place — and that he felt comfortable when he was on the field. Nicholas admitted that he still has plenty of work to do, though.

As far as injury news, safety Chris Crocker (bruised knee) did not practice. Tight end Alge Crumpler (knee) was given his usual day off from workouts and he is expected to practice Friday. Petrino said there is no update on defensive tackle Rod Coleman, who had surgery last week to repair damage to his right knee.

On a related note, looks like I need a new #5 LB. Please help...My IDP Question

 

[Jene Bramel]

Nicholas produced five tackles to Williams’ four and was more effective overall with his gap fits and things of that nature.



GB beat writers.

 

[redman]

Nicholas produced five tackles to Williams’ four and was more effective overall with his gap fits and things of that nature.



GB beat writers.

Well you know, Jean, all that stuff.

 

[Chaos Commish]

Well Demorrio did miss a lot of time and that could be a reasonable excuse for him sharing with the rookie. But Nicholas has been a standout from the start and Demorrio has consistently been a better IDP than an NFL OLB. It could be that Nicholas is better, a stud in the works, and the clock is ticking on Demorrio. It could even be that the injury bought Demorrio a little time. He may be getting the benefit of the doubt, when a true side by side comparison with Nicholas would have dropped him on the depth chart. It's been almost a year and a half since I first pimped Nicholas here as a junior. I am not surprised by this, and I have little doubt that he's the better long-term player.

 

[Jene Bramel]

Nicholas produced five tackles to Williams’ four and was more effective overall with his gap fits and things of that nature.



GB beat writers.

Well you know, Jean, all that stuff.

Yeah, I know. Wasn't trying to be a snob. Just think that those few folks who are hired to follow a football team on a day-to-day basis should have some idea of (a) more advanced football concepts and (b) how to write. I think that sentence would have read better and more football savvy if he'd just left the last five words on the Word clipboard.Goodell knows I'm not much better at times, though .

 

[Chaos Commish]

Goodell knows I'm not ...

Nice. I didn't read the Goodell nickname thread, but Godell works.