Giants linebacker Jacquian Williams shedding anonymity by flashing his speed on field
Zach Berman/The Star-Ledger
Marc Ross described the rationale of selecting the final Giants draft picks on the third day of April’s NFL Draft, when scouting directors such as Ross earn their paycheck — and their reputations — by scouring for hidden gems among a list of prospects who primarily become roster fillers.
When Ross came upon sixth-round pick linebacker Jacquian Williams from South Florida, he admitted Williams was an “undercover guy.”
In other words, not many draftniks knew about him. Williams didn’t have the college profiles of other sixth-round picks such as Tyler Sash or Greg Jones. He didn’t have the football experience of seventh-round pick Da’Rel Scott.
“If you went in there, you saw a 220 linebacker, you might say, ‘Okay, we won’t look at him,’” Ross said at the time. “But he jumps off the tape at you because of his speed and competitiveness. And he flies around. And since South Florida had about eight guys on defense that you have to look at, he was just under the radar because of him being a developer, and just not a high-profile name.”
The early returns have been positive. Williams has become a significant contributor on the Giants’ defense, playing linebacker in the nickel formation and watching his role increase each week. In last week’s 29-16 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, Williams led the Giants with nine tackles and was responsible for shadowing Philadelphia quarterback Michael Vick.
“It was kind of more than I expected,” Williams said about how much he played against the Eagles.
He didn’t anticipate playing much on defense at all this season. Williams was told to master special teams, where the 6-3, 224-pound linebacker could add speed to a unit that needed improvement.
When starting middle linebacker Jonathan Goff suffered a season-ending injury before the opener, the Giants needed to make adjustments. That was particularly the case in the nickel formation, where the Giants field speedy linebackers.
He’s since added goal line responsibilities, too.
“He has displayed, quite frankly, some things that a lot of times you don’t get a chance to cover but yet it comes up on the field and the kid is in the right spot,” coach Tom Coughlin said. “He studies, he works, he is humble and he is quiet. You saw the speed in which he plays and he was able to go to the sidelines with (Eagles running back LeSean) McCoy, who is obviously having a heck of a year. That was impressive.”
The key for Williams has been playing with a clear mind. The veterans on the Giants want him to learn the defense, but they don’t want all the information to inhibit his athleticism on Sundays.
“The biggest thing they tell me is on game day, just turn it off and play football,” said Williams, who cited Mathias Kiwanuka, Michael Boley and Deon Grant as mentors. “Certain situations, before the play, Kiwi will tell me, ‘Just calm down.’ ”
Williams is a late bloomer by nature, playing at Fort Scott Community College in Kansas before transferring to South Florida for two seasons. He only started during his final year. It was the same path that Jason Pierre-Paul took to the Giants.
Pierre-Paul echoed the message of the other veterans, even telling Williams that his own rookie season would have been better if he had played with a clear mind. Because knowledge comes with experience, a rookie can contribute by showcasing raw athleticism.
In Williams’ case, the defining asset is speed. He said he and Pierre-Paul are examples of the speed at South Florida. And considering Williams has become almost like an undersized Pierre-Paul this season, Coughlin might implore Ross to continuing scouting in Tampa for more “undercover” prospects.
“I don’t know if they are,” Coughlin said, “but let’s get more.”
http://www.nj.com/gi...cquian_wil.html
Greg Jones probably played fewer than 15 snaps against Philadelphia, who were in a three wide set on almost every offensive play. The Eagles had 70 offensive plays, which put Williams on the field for 50+ snaps.
and Dansby 
ownwer here.
My D' is super thin and it's a 16-team league, so I very few alternatives.
