WR Roy Williams (1 Viewer)

[Colt Of Personality]

I'm just curious - what is the future outlook for Roy Williams?

I'm not a Cowboys fan - I always liked Williams, but I have no idea what is his defined role?

Much thanks.

 

[Da Guru]

Unlike the Bears, I am not sure Roy Williams is who you think he is.

 

[biggamer3]

next year he will be a #3-#4 WR.

Can not be counted on to be THE guy

 

[FavreCo]

This guy is actually getting worse.

 

[finito]

I'll buy low in dynasty and hope for the best. Guy has talent, and now has a QB who can get him the ball -- may have to wait for a year or two to really become "the guy" but I he will have his opportunities.

 

[Ridgelake]

RW was acquired to be a co-#1 receiver for Dallas along with TO. He was also acquired to be the #1 once TO retires. His results so far since the trade have not shown that he's to be utilized in that role. But lets take a closer look at whats going on.

1) He has been hurt. He's got plantar fasciitis, which is a painful foot injury. It won't heal until the offseason. Because of this, he hasnt practiced all that much, especially since Romo came back. Some observers have indicated that he isnt showing the explosiveness/separation that he had earlier in the year. This injury is the primary explanation why.

2) He hasnt worked with Romo much. Romo doesnt know exactly how to play with him yet, what patterns he likes, where he likes the ball. Romo hasnt spent enough time with him to really trust him.

3) I don't recall any WR traded during the season be really effective the year he was traded. A lot of chemistry is established in the offseason and camp. Until he spends a full camp with the team, he won't be as effective.

Next year, assuming the offense is kept in tact, I'd expect Williams to be used much like Terry Glenn was in 2006. Glenn got about 1000 yards receiving, a very high YPC, and a good number of TDs. A healthy Roy can effectively play that roll.

 

[Mr. Mojo]

RW was acquired to be a co-#1 receiver for Dallas along with TO. He was also acquired to be the #1 once TO retires. His results so far since the trade have not shown that he's to be utilized in that role. But lets take a closer look at whats going on.1) He has been hurt. He's got plantar fasciitis, which is a painful foot injury. It won't heal until the offseason. Because of this, he hasnt practiced all that much, especially since Romo came back. Some observers have indicated that he isnt showing the explosiveness/separation that he had earlier in the year. This injury is the primary explanation why.2) He hasnt worked with Romo much. Romo doesnt know exactly how to play with him yet, what patterns he likes, where he likes the ball. Romo hasnt spent enough time with him to really trust him.3) I don't recall any WR traded during the season be really effective the year he was traded. A lot of chemistry is established in the offseason and camp. Until he spends a full camp with the team, he won't be as effective.Next year, assuming the offense is kept in tact, I'd expect Williams to be used much like Terry Glenn was in 2006. Glenn got about 1000 yards receiving, a very high YPC, and a good number of TDs. A healthy Roy can effectively play that roll.

I think those are good observations and make a lot of sense.

 

[QUEZILLA]

RW was acquired to be a co-#1 receiver for Dallas along with TO. He was also acquired to be the #1 once TO retires. His results so far since the trade have not shown that he's to be utilized in that role. But lets take a closer look at whats going on.1) He has been hurt. He's got plantar fasciitis, which is a painful foot injury. It won't heal until the offseason. Because of this, he hasnt practiced all that much, especially since Romo came back. Some observers have indicated that he isnt showing the explosiveness/separation that he had earlier in the year. This injury is the primary explanation why.2) He hasnt worked with Romo much. Romo doesnt know exactly how to play with him yet, what patterns he likes, where he likes the ball. Romo hasnt spent enough time with him to really trust him.3) I don't recall any WR traded during the season be really effective the year he was traded. A lot of chemistry is established in the offseason and camp. Until he spends a full camp with the team, he won't be as effective.Next year, assuming the offense is kept in tact, I'd expect Williams to be used much like Terry Glenn was in 2006. Glenn got about 1000 yards receiving, a very high YPC, and a good number of TDs. A healthy Roy can effectively play that roll.

I agree that all these points make him a great buy low, but what do you think his ceiling is if 100% healthy. I still don't see him ever being a #2 with TO/Witten there.

 

[ExtraPoint]

As great as Owens is, he's very old for a wide receiver. Roy is a simuliar type of receiver who's still young. Within a couple of years, Williams will be the #1 receiver on a team that has other good young players on its offense. As explained, he was traded in the MIDDLE of the season to a team with a different offense. He's been hurt. I pretty much wrote him off for most of the season the moment the trade was announced. He expect solid numbers next year and probable stardom in two. Witten is a very different player who I dont see as a threat because he just enhances that offense with his skill set.

 

[Mikey16x]

As great as Owens is, he's very old for a wide receiver. Roy is a simuliar type of receiver who's still young. Within a couple of years, Williams will be the #1 receiver on a team that has other good young players on its offense. As explained, he was traded in the MIDDLE of the season to a team with a different offense. He's been hurt. I pretty much wrote him off for most of the season the moment the trade was announced. He expect solid numbers next year and probable stardom in two. Witten is a very different player who I dont see as a threat because he just enhances that offense with his skill set.

Roy Williams will never be the #1 receiver in Dallas. He's simply not built for it. I was never high on him, never will be. The guy has never shown me anything, personally. In a 5 year stretch he has never played a full season and also only eclipsed the 1000 yard mark once. I might get my head chewed off but I really don't see anything special and think he was the worst move Jerry Jones has made in an awful long time. Mark my words, if Bill Parcells was coaching the Cowboys this season, this trade would have never gone through and probably wouldn't have even been offered. To consider his playing style similar to T.O is crazy. T.O is a very physical receiver, he's built like a linebacker. He'll overpower your throughout the game... Roy is a lanky WR, kind of like a poor man's Plaxico Burress. This was the worst move done by the Cowboys and the best move the Lions could have made because now at least they got to hoard draft picks. It's not like their talent scouts are world class so they'll probably be wasted. But it was a step in the right direction. If Roy Williams is 100% healthy next season... my generous estimation for his stats would have to be somewhere around 65 receptions 900 yards and 4 TDs. Basically Crayton numbers, with a higher game check.

 

[FavreCo]

As great as Owens is, he's very old for a wide receiver. Roy is a simuliar type of receiver who's still young. Within a couple of years, Williams will be the #1 receiver on a team that has other good young players on its offense. As explained, he was traded in the MIDDLE of the season to a team with a different offense. He's been hurt. I pretty much wrote him off for most of the season the moment the trade was announced. He expect solid numbers next year and probable stardom in two. Witten is a very different player who I dont see as a threat because he just enhances that offense with his skill set.

Roy Williams will never be the #1 receiver in Dallas. He's simply not built for it. I was never high on him, never will be. The guy has never shown me anything, personally. In a 5 year stretch he has never played a full season and also only eclipsed the 1000 yard mark once. I might get my head chewed off but I really don't see anything special and think he was the worst move Jerry Jones has made in an awful long time. Mark my words, if Bill Parcells was coaching the Cowboys this season, this trade would have never gone through and probably wouldn't have even been offered. To consider his playing style similar to T.O is crazy. T.O is a very physical receiver, he's built like a linebacker. He'll overpower your throughout the game... Roy is a lanky WR, kind of like a poor man's Plaxico Burress. This was the worst move done by the Cowboys and the best move the Lions could have made because now at least they got to hoard draft picks. It's not like their talent scouts are world class so they'll probably be wasted. But it was a step in the right direction. If Roy Williams is 100% healthy next season... my generous estimation for his stats would have to be somewhere around 65 receptions 900 yards and 4 TDs. Basically Crayton numbers, with a higher game check.

What he said.

 

[Bob Magaw]

williams is going to be an expensive decoy for a few more years...

TO is "old" for a WR chronologically, but he is a mutant in terms of his conditioning... if you look at his physique, how much of his explosiveness remains intact, his functional playing strength, his ability to still run away from defenders in the open field... he is still outplaying WRs a decade younger...

he doesn't look like he is going to hit the wall any time soon... he has to at some point, but that point could be more than a few years away (lets face it, in dynasty leagues, some avoided trading for TO because he was thought to be too old 2-3 years ago & he was close to his immanent demise... that was clearly wrong)...

so, AT BEST, williams is going to be the third option in the passing game (witten is one of the best TEs in the game, is young & a favorite target of romo... with his lightning quick release, it is a high percentage toss between the hashes), but as they like to run with barber a lot when healthy, he will actually be the fourth option in the offense... if they try & ramp up felix jones integration and involvement into the offense, he could be the FIFTH option...

the only cowboys LESS involved in the offense could the FB & OL!

maybe it wasn't a smart move for jones to spend so much money on a player that could emerge so little used? but the cap is going up the next few years...

another possibility, that could represent a shrewd move (if they don't have to make sacrifices at other positions like OL & defense to squeeze in his salary), is that jones has valuable insurance in a few ways... if TO unexpectedly has his skills erode more quickly than it looks at this time... if he is injured... & if he blows up & goes bi-polar like he did in SF & PHI before, & appeared to almost do a few weeks ago...

it is also possible williams could tire of getting thrown to 1 time a game for a few years, and if TO is still playing at a high level in a few years & jones doesn't feel the pressure as much for insurance, maybe he won't end up playing out his full contract in DAL?

imo williams is a potentially good WR... i agree he doesn't have the physicality, intensity, apparent work ethic or burning desire to be great of the elite WRs... he does not, & unless he is born again hard, probably never will deserve to be compared to TO... he is a gifted, phenomenal athlete... coming out of texas he was listed at about 6'4" & 220, but i think he actually measured up to about 6'2" & 210... as a prep, i think her ran one of the fastest 100 m and was one of the best long jumpers in the state, so he has skills...

in some ways, in terms of his fluidity, he reminds me of a taller, much faster torry holt... like holt, he is not a particularly physical WR... unlike holt, he is not as committed to his craft, & hasn't worked as hard at becoming one of the greatest route runners in league history (holt was mentored by isaac bruce, who was similar in staure & also not a physical specimen or physical WR, but was one of the greatest and most disciplined route runners ever which is why this week he cracked into the top 2-3 all time in several receiving record categories)...

* i don't want to digress too much from the topic (& perhaps i'll make this a separate thread)... not sure if it is a fluke, or reflects on the coaching, but it seems like some of the highly touted prospects emerging from texas have disappointed in recent years... VY, cedric benson, roy williams on offense... derrick johnson and michael huff on defense... johnson has had his moments & isn't a bust, but more was expected...

michael griffin, TEN FS is the only player off the top of my head that went in 1st round in recent years and looks like he has bonafide star potential, and more importantly, is flashing the same great instincts and talent at the pro level that he did in college...

 

[Mikey16x]

williams is going to be an expensive decoy for a few more years...TO is "old" for a WR chronologically, but he is a mutant in terms of his conditioning... if you look at his physique, how much of his explosiveness remains intact, his functional playing strength, his ability to still run away from defenders in the open field... he is still outplaying WRs a decade younger...he doesn't look like he is going to hit the wall any time soon... he has to at some point, but that point could be more than a few years away (lets face it, in dynasty leagues, some avoided trading for TO because he was thought to be too old 2-3 years ago & he was close to his immanent demise... that was clearly wrong)...so, AT BEST, williams is going to be the third option in the passing game (witten is one of the best TEs in the game, is young & a favorite target of romo... with his lightning quick release, it is a high percentage toss between the hashes), but as they like to run with barber a lot when healthy, he will actually be the fourth option in the offense... if they try & ramp up felix jones integration and involvement into the offense, he could be the FIFTH option...the only cowboys LESS involved in the offense could the FB & OL!maybe it wasn't a smart move for jones to spend so much money on a player that could emerge so little used? but the cap is going up the next few years...another possibility, that could represent a shrewd move (if they don't have to make sacrifices at other positions like OL & defense to squeeze in his salary), is that jones has valuable insurance in a few ways... if TO unexpectedly has his skills erode more quickly than it looks at this time... if he is injured... & if he blows up & goes bi-polar like he did in SF & PHI before, & appeared to almost do a few weeks ago...it is also possible williams could tire of getting thrown to 1 time a game for a few years, and if TO is still playing at a high level in a few years & jones doesn't feel the pressure as much for insurance, maybe he won't end up playing out his full contract in DAL?imo williams is a potentially good WR... i agree he doesn't have the physicality, intensity, apparent work ethic or burning desire to be great of the elite WRs... he does not, & unless he is born again hard, probably never will deserve to be compared to TO... he is a gifted, phenomenal athlete... coming out of texas he was listed at about 6'4" & 220, but i think he actually measured up to about 6'2" & 210... as a prep, i think her ran one of the fastest 100 m and was one of the best long jumpers in the state, so he has skills...in some ways, in terms of his fluidity, he reminds me of a taller, much faster torry holt... like holt, he is not a particularly physical WR... unlike holt, he is not as committed to his craft, & hasn't worked as hard at becoming one of the greatest route runners in league history (holt was mentored by isaac bruce, who was similar in staure & also not a physical specimen or physical WR, but was one of the greatest and most disciplined route runners ever which is why this week he cracked into the top 2-3 all time in several receiving record categories)...* i don't want to digress too much from the topic (& perhaps i'll make this a separate thread)... not sure if it is a fluke, or reflects on the coaching, but it seems like some of the highly touted prospects emerging from texas have disappointed in recent years... VY, cedric benson, roy williams on offense... derrick johnson and michael huff on defense... johnson has had his moments & isn't a bust, but more was expected...michael griffin, TEN FS is the only player off the top of my head that went in 1st round in recent years and looks like he has bonafide star potential, and more importantly, is flashing the same great instincts and talent at the pro level that he did in college...

Mentioning all the longhorns with no heart.. you forgot the motherload... Ricky Williams.

 

[Avery]

Don't forget the Felix Jones, who looked impressive until he got hurt, should be more involved in the offense next year.

That's just another body to account for that will further limit Williams' touches since there will still be only one ball to go around.

 

[joepro]

Do you think with Witten possibly not playing, that Roy may have a bigger role on Sunday?

 

[Rev]

I see 2 scenario's playing out for Roy's future:

A) Either he and Bennet evolve to become the next TO/Witten combo, in a way similar to how Wayne phazed in for Marvin.

or

B) He and Crayton compete for scraps until the Cowboys decide that they can't pay that much for their 3rd recieving option. At that point, he gets cut and gets picked up by the Browns, spending the remainder of his years in mediocrity.

Personally, I see this playing out toward scenario A for the followign reasons:

1. Romo is young and will provide a stable presence from an often unreliable position.

2. The 'boys should have a nice running game down the road

3. TO is also an pricey reciever who comes with some attitude liabilities. At some point, this guy will be too old for his antics to be cute, and I see that day coming sooner than later.

4. Roy's career has not been outstanding, but he has had some EXCEPTIONAL individual games that showed his talent.

5. Roy's career, up to this point, has been with the LIONS. Don't forget that. Any analysis of his future potential must bear in mind his history on an inexcusably bad offense.

6. Roy has a very positive attitude and is a team player from all I've seen. I see this paying dividends as he finds his footing in Dallas.

7. With an offseason to work with Romo and the offense, I like Roy's chances of hitting the ground running next year.

 

[RBM]

I see 2 scenario's playing out for Roy's future:A) Either he and Bennet evolve to become the next TO/Witten combo, in a way similar to how Wayne phazed in for Marvin.

Where is Witten goin?

 

[Rev]

I see 2 scenario's playing out for Roy's future:A) Either he and Bennet evolve to become the next TO/Witten combo, in a way similar to how Wayne phazed in for Marvin.

Where is Witten goin?

Yah, it's probably a stretch to say that Bennet is moving into Witten's place, but I hear they really like him and plan to expand his role in the next few seasons.

 

[Mikey16x]

I see 2 scenario's playing out for Roy's future:A) Either he and Bennet evolve to become the next TO/Witten combo, in a way similar to how Wayne phazed in for Marvin.

Where is Witten goin?

Witten is still young and is a warrior with a great heart. Witten is a staple there. But I can see them running more play-action passes in 2 TE's sets down the line. But as for featured TE... no way he takes over the job.

 

[Bob Magaw]

I see 2 scenario's playing out for Roy's future:A) Either he and Bennet evolve to become the next TO/Witten combo, in a way similar to how Wayne phazed in for Marvin.orB) He and Crayton compete for scraps until the Cowboys decide that they can't pay that much for their 3rd recieving option. At that point, he gets cut and gets picked up by the Browns, spending the remainder of his years in mediocrity.Personally, I see this playing out toward scenario A for the followign reasons:1. Romo is young and will provide a stable presence from an often unreliable position.2. The 'boys should have a nice running game down the road3. TO is also an pricey reciever who comes with some attitude liabilities. At some point, this guy will be too old for his antics to be cute, and I see that day coming sooner than later.4. Roy's career has not been outstanding, but he has had some EXCEPTIONAL individual games that showed his talent.5. Roy's career, up to this point, has been with the LIONS. Don't forget that. Any analysis of his future potential must bear in mind his history on an inexcusably bad offense.6. Roy has a very positive attitude and is a team player from all I've seen. I see this paying dividends as he finds his footing in Dallas.7. With an offseason to work with Romo and the offense, I like Roy's chances of hitting the ground running next year.

1 - this will help TO & witten more in the immediate future... may not benefit williams for a few years2 - see 13 - true, but this has been said for a few years now, & it could be few more before it materializes4 - a few exceptional games could show what he is capable of at his best... or that he was buried on a bad team... or a lack of consistency & effort... or some combination5 - calvin johnson plays with the lions and acquitted himself much better6 - he has struck me in the past as being immature (maybe roy is like the three blind men & the elephant parable )7 - this still begs the question... how, if he is the 4th-5th option in the offense?

 

[Bob Magaw]

addendum to previous post...

i have probably overemphasized the dark side because, well, that is how i see it...

while i have doubts williams will ever be an elite WR (though i concede he has the physical tools to become one... i have doubts whether he has the intangibles, & i have a lot of doubts about his current opportunity), i think he is good & potentially very good...

its possible he could become more integrated into the offense after a full offseason of getting his timing down with romo, an admittedly obvious but probably underemphasized issue with his "slow" start so far... i think it was right to temper expectations, but i also think AT THIS POINT, it was commonly expected that he would be getting the ball more than 1-2 times a game...

what it would mean for him to be more involved is hard to say... 4-5 times a game could mean 65-80 catches... TO recently spoke up on behalf of williams, which was kind of bizarre, & interesting, to say the least... is TO going to be OK with williams taking 2-3 of HIS catches away (or was he generously and magnanimously giving some of witten's away? )...

one possiblility is the cowboys might be better if they passed more, & with a bigger pie, williams slice could be bigger... the pats sort of reinvented themselves in 2007, in the process breaking scoring records & almost going undefeated (obviously there was more to it than just passing a lot... they had brady, moss & welker)...

this might align with what the cowboys already have... great QB, great potential receiving trio in TO, williams & witten... this would open up the run game... there are some questions about whether barber can carry the load like a conventional feature RB... he never did in college (where he shared with maroney) & for much of his time in DAL... when he finally did get a shot, amidst rumblings that he had too punishing, violent & contact-friendly of a running style for his own good & was destined for a short career, he promptly proceeded to get hurt in in his first year as the acknowledged starter (i realize he was the de facto starter for pretty much all of the previous year, & put up the stats of a feature RB in that year)...

so there could be some factors to recommend such a shift in strategy... to become a more pass heavy offense, & setting up the run with the pass instead of the other way around...

the most serious question about this i can see, EVEN IF THEY WANTED TO, is that the cowboys OL seems to be better at run blocking than pass blocking (especially on the right side with leonard davis & columbo)... at times this season, it looked like the OL was going to get romo killed, though they are a force in the run game, making choice look like barber in recent weeks... not sure they are good enough in pass blocking to turn on a dime so to speak and quickly execute such a drastic offensive philosophy change (whereas clearly with the case of NE, they did a stellar job in pass pro for brady)...

perhaps this wouldn't be needed for the cowboys to improve & williams to see an uptick in involvement & receptions... a concerted effort to pass 5-10 times more per game, withougt necessarily becoming the second coming of the 2007 pats, might be enough...

 

[fruity pebbles]

what makes you think TO isnt already on the decline? This was his worst statistical season in the past 10 years. At 35 that has to make you atleast scratch your head.

 

[JPeso]

what makes you think TO isnt already on the decline? This was his worst statistical season in the past 10 years. At 35 that has to make you atleast scratch your head.

There is no doubt in my mind that Owens is already on the decline. While he is still a physical specimen and will continue to be a productive player in this league for a couple more years, he does not get the same separation. Witten gets open more than Owens, but Romo still tries to force it to Owens to keep him happy. This will only get worse next season, in my opinion. Once Romo keeps the defenses on their toes by targeting/using Roy E. more, the offense will open up. Sprinkle in the play-making ability of Felix Jones and this offense is a top offense when operating "as it should." Roy E. is simply not a true WR1. With that said, when you have a TE as talented as Witten, who will get you 1,000+ year-in, year-out, and a back like Barber who you can run the offense through, you don't need a Steve Smith at WR1. When Owens is "done," Jerry will undoubtedly bring in someone better than Crayton, but I'd expect Roy E. to catch somewhere around 70 balls at a high yards-per-catch in that offense.

 

[Da Guru]

As a Lion fan I was giddy to see us get rid of Williams. No doubt Jones overpaid in both draft picks and cash.

Williams is good at times, but he is very inconsistant in all areas, and really is not that explosive. Plus the fact that he is always hurt.

 

[Mr Capicollo]

He can get no separation from NFL CBs and never has been able to. That will not improve and Williams is basically a good red zone target because of his leaping ability and his good hands. He probably needs to be used as an underneath WR because if Dallas thinks he can be a #1 WR they are really just kidding themselves. It's not because of any injury, any QB, or anything else but the fact he's just not very good.