Roy Williams has one standard for the coming season: Torry Holt (1 Viewer)

[Righetti]

Roy Williams has one standard for the coming season: Torry Holt

Thursday, August 10, 2006

By Tom Kowalski

ALLEN PARK -- To understand what Roy Williams is talking about, you need to know a little something about Torry Holt, the St. Louis Rams' star receiver.

Williams was asked a series of questions recently about his role as the go-to receiver in the Detroit Lions' offense and he answered, "Torry Holt. That's all I need to say."

Yes, but what about all the intense pressure that comes with being the focus of the passing attack? "Torry Holt. That's all I can say."

All right then, offensive coordinator Mike Martz has said he believes you're going to have a breakout season. What would you consider a breakout season? Yeah, you guessed it.

"Torry Holt. That's it. Look at his stats, the Pro Bowls, the playoffs and the Super Bowls," Williams said.

If Williams is going to use Holt as the standard, and comes close to reaching it, there will be plenty of electricity at Ford Field this season. In his seven seasons with the St. Louis Rams -- and with Martz on the sideline -- Holt has averaged 88 catches, 1,355 receiving yards and eight touchdowns per year. Holt was the centerpiece of the Rams' passing attack that was known as "The Greatest Show on Turf."

Just as importantly to Williams, Holt has also gone to the playoffs five times and has appeared in two Super Bowls (winning one) and five Pro Bowls. Trying to match the achievements of Holt is going to be a difficult chore, but Martz believes Williams has the ability to be one of the league's elite receivers.

"I think deep down inside Roy wants to be a great player and he's learning a lot more about his position," Martz said. "He's a real student of the game and he's getting in great shape. He understands he's not going to come out of the game and that we're going to keep throwing him the ball. That type of stress and pressure is unusual and he understands that and he's really trying to get himself ready to play."

Williams has been Detroit's No. 1 receiver in his first two years in the league but his numbers haven't been eye-popping. He has yet to catch more than 54 passes or gain 817 receiving yards in a single season.

In his first two years, Williams has the reputation of working just hard enough to get by, but he was never pushed very hard. And definitely nothing like the heat being put on him by Martz, who has been impressed with Williams' work ethic.

"It's outstanding right now," Martz said. "He understands what the expectations are and we have such a high water mark for him and that's heavy load for anybody. People just don't understand the pressure on him, especially for somebody who hasn't done anything yet. He's had a good year or two but he hasn't really broken out. To do that, he realizes the work ethic it requires at that level."

One other knock on Williams in his first two years was a lack of leadership, particularly in his second year, when he was beginning to establish himself as one of the team's stars. That kind of sentiment irks Martz.

"Here's the thing about players like Roy: It's just who he is and how he plays, that's the leadership," he said. "People misunderstand what leadership is. A guy like Joe Montana wasn't talking to people, you lead by how well you prepare, how well you play and how well you compete. Then those guys really respect who you are because of what you do for them."

We could ask Williams what he expects to do for the Lions this season, but we already have a pretty good idea what that answer is going to be.

I think that Roy Williams is going to absolutely dominate this year... I don't own him in any leagues, but I'm trying to LTT for him before the preseason games really start going.MLIVE.com

 

[Otis]

One of my favorite targets this offseason. Tougher to get my hands on than I would like though.

 

[TheFanatic]

Roy owner in my main league. Love hearing this kind of stuff. Just hope he can stay healthy because I could use a Holt like performance, particularly if Santana Moss was a one hit wonder...

 

[Nigel Tufnel]

Great stuff.

 

[dickey moe]

I think he's expressed this desire before. It has yet to translate to quality statistics on the field.

 

[#@%&$!?]

Roy owner here. I'm pretty high on him this year, but these expectations of st louis level of offensive production need to be temered a bit.

 

[Sabertooth]

My standard is to have the board cred of Bigbottom right after the release of "The Day the Laughter Died."

Doesn't mean I'm going to get anywhere near it.

 

[Nigel Tufnel]

I think he's expressed this desire before. It has yet to translate to quality statistics on the field.

This thread is for unrealistic optimism only. Please spread your hateful propaganda elsewhere.

 

[TheFanatic]

I think he's expressed this desire before. It has yet to translate to quality statistics on the field.

This thread is for unrealistic optimism only. Please spread your hateful propaganda elsewhere.

Oh, I don't expect the guy to catch 1500 yards and 15 TD's this year, but he has the potential to. And since I don't do redraft leagues I have to look at guys in terms of their future rather than a single year. And this guy I can see putting up Holt numbers eventually. I don't expect that this year, but towards the second half and the end of the season I expect big numbers if he stays healthy. And if that happens it will be at just the right time

 

[Nigel Tufnel]

I think he's expressed this desire before. It has yet to translate to quality statistics on the field.

This thread is for unrealistic optimism only. Please spread your hateful propaganda elsewhere.

Oh, I don't expect the guy to catch 1500 yards and 15 TD's this year, but he has the potential to. And since I don't do redraft leagues I have to look at guys in terms of their future rather than a single year. And this guy I can see putting up Holt numbers eventually. I don't expect that this year, but towards the second half and the end of the season I expect big numbers if he stays healthy. And if that happens it will be at just the right time

For the record, I think he might breakout this year, also. I'm glad to own him.

 

[MLBrandow]

I agree that hiis ADP is a little higher than I'd like, so I avoid him.

Hope he breaks out though. Perhaps it will serve as a motivator for his underperforming 1st round WRs.

 

[mrspree15]

I think he's expressed this desire before. It has yet to translate to quality statistics on the field.

This thread is for unrealistic optimism only. Please spread your hateful propaganda elsewhere.

Oh, I don't expect the guy to catch 1500 yards and 15 TD's this year, but he has the potential to. And since I don't do redraft leagues I have to look at guys in terms of their future rather than a single year. And this guy I can see putting up Holt numbers eventually. I don't expect that this year, but towards the second half and the end of the season I expect big numbers if he stays healthy. And if that happens it will be at just the right time

For the record, I think he might breakout this year, also. I'm glad to own him.

I second that motion. The Roywagon is currently in full effect.

 

[Domination]

I agree that hiis ADP is a little higher than I'd like, so I avoid him.Hope he breaks out though. Perhaps it will serve as a motivator for his underperforming 1st round WRs.

I agree with this idea that his high level of production this year could motivate the other 1st rd WRs to play up to their expected levels.

 

[Dt's Mules]

hammy

 

[reg]

I think he's expressed this desire before. It has yet to translate to quality statistics on the field.

You don't think Harrington and Mariucci stunted that just a little?

 

[-OZ-]

I was able to acquire him a few months ago at a reasonable price, and I'm very glad I did. I'm prepared to be disapointed by his results, if I were to expect Holt-type stats. I don't. Top 10 is certainly feasible, which is all I want here.

Kitna helped make Chad Johnson a force, so QB isn't an issue with Roy.

 

[Bob Sacamano]

Kitna helped make Chad Johnson a force, so QB isn't an issue with Roy.

Good lord we've become desparate for talent at QB in the NFL.Edited to add Kitna=speed

 

[RBM]

Not many with more talent at the position. Sounds like the opportunity will be there. He just needs to stay healthy and have Kitna perform at a reasonable level

 

[Keys Myaths]

And Julius Jones is going to run for 20 TDs in 2005.

I like Roy. I think he's going to do well. Just remember, everyone makes these bold preseason predictions. Take them with a grain of salt.

 

[dickey moe]

I think he's expressed this desire before. It has yet to translate to quality statistics on the field.

You don't think Harrington and Mariucci stunted that just a little?

I'm sure it did, but the talk about Williams used to be that he was supposed to transcend those shortcomings. It never happened.

 

[Domination]

Expectation of Holt are unreasonable. But he was a stud at Texas, he was a stud his rookie year, and will develop into a super stud. Injuries have been an issue, but that doesn't stop anyone from drafting Randy Moss. This is because the games that he does play will hold great value, and you hope he can stay healthy. I believe that Roy will fit in the same category, but when he plays the stats will make him worth his draft selection.

 

[Bob_Magaw]

there are few WRs in the league as good an athlete & as much of a physical specimen (maybe dre johnson, who is a chiselled 220 & won the big east indoor 60 m & outdoor 100 m titles)... as a prep, i think he singlehandedly lifted his team to second or third in the state track meet... first in long jump (don't get bonus points for breaking state record, but he did at 25'+), was second in the 100 m & third in the high jump...

holt is one of best route runners in the league, has among the best hands & had some pretty good QBs throwing to him... but if kitna is even semi-competent, roy could exceed 80-1,200-9... if he fulfills his potential in dynasty leagues, he has top 3-5 ability...

* galloway was #5 WR in FBG scoring with 83-1,287-10

the number of WRs with at least 8 TDs in first two seasons is a pretty exclusive one, i think... wonder what he would have done with kitna instead of harrington at QB in 04-05... maybe DD TDs both years?