My Response to Mickey's article on Roy

by Bigrigga31 on May 13, 2008 10:36 PM CDT

Promoted from FanPosts by Grizz (with a few minor edits).

Bravo, Mickey! Bravo! Your article on Roy Williams is brilliant in the way that you directly address the relationship between the player and the fans. Even with the Romo/Simpson saga, and the Pac-Man trade concerns, and the fear of a disgruntled Greg Ellis, and the Felix vs. Rashard disagreements, and the December/Playoffs slumps, the most passionate topic in Dallas Cowboys fandom continues to accelerate around the what-to-do-with-Roy-Williams debate. Move him to linebacker. No! Take him off 3rd downs. You gotta! Trade him. Not likely! Cut him. Cap $pace! Let him resurrect with Campo. Maybe! Let him change numbers. Sure!

Cowboys fans are having a hard time swallowing the fact that what happened here with Julius Jones seems to be happening with Roy, just on the other side of the ball. Instincts, aggressiveness, passion--all the characteristics that made Cowboys fans "ooh" and "ahh" over their team's former #1 pick--have diminished.

Where is he? Why is he a shell of his former self? Do Tai Streets and Todd Pinkston have to be on the Cowboys schedule for Roy to "show up"? Was he offended the league ruled against his "horse collaring"?

I don't know! I don't know! I don't know! Nobody does! It's frustrating, so I'm sure that's why you (and Roy) hear so much from the fans about his play. We simply don't know what to expect from him. And that's scary.

Do you remember that Monday Night game a couple years back when Dallas was up 13 to 0, and the 'Skins came back with a coupla deep balls to Santana Moss in the 4th quarter to win 14 to 13? That's when it all began for me. That's when my confidence in my favorite Dallas Cowboy began to die. Maybe, his did too.

Anyways, Mickey, thanks for the article. It would be great if Roy can be pumped up by the fans the same way Hulk Hogan was by his Hulkamaniacs. But after hearing Roy's comments about the fans, and just reading the distaste for his play from the various Cowboys' bloggers, I doubt there's anything else the fans can do, but cringe when that deep ball is in the air on his side of the field.

Poll

Have you ever said aloud, "Roy Williams is my favorite player"?

Another user-created commentary provided by a BTB reader.

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Comments

LOL

ALL I CAN DO IS LAUGH!!

"If y'all fresh to death, then I'm deceased."

by Wmillion on May 14, 2008 12:04 AM CDT 0 recs

well said!

both the article and the post. mahalo.

by scottmaui on May 14, 2008 12:22 AM CDT 0 recs

Thanks!

And thank you, Grizz, for promoting my little op/ed FanPost.
Cheers!

That #38 sure can hit!

by Bigrigga31 on May 14, 2008 12:43 AM CDT up 0 recs

You know what

He still might just be my favorite player. It’s not easy for a safety like him to play coverage, and he was forced into it a lot this year. We had several injuries on the defense that really made it hard to unleash Roy like he was suppose to be. Let’s hope with the addition of pacman and a (hopefully) healthy roster he goes back to what he was. Superman.

Michael Irvin to Keyshawn Johnson "I know where me and Rice belong on the top ten receivers of all time list, but who do you have in the bottom 8?"

by markdamack on May 14, 2008 2:12 AM CDT 0 recs

Hear hear

I’m not ready to throw him under the bus just yet. Roy made watching Cowboys football exciting again earlier this decade when we couldn’t win $#!% to save our lives. He was my favorite player for awhile (probably replaced by Newman or Witten now, though), he’s a class act, and he (used to be, and) is a Hell of a ballplayer.

I do hope there’s a resurgence for Roy with Campo … he’s a good guy, and damned exciting when on the ball. I know he’s not the best safety in coverage, but he’s not even below average … it’s just the label he’s been given because of his exposure to the mass media and the fact that he plays for America’s Team. He’s no worse than the majority of SS’s out there. Very few strong safeties actually know how to cover well.

I am a little peeved about the number change, as both my Roy jersies have him as #31 (as he’ll always be to me). But I hope he can turn his career/public image around.

Let him who hath understanding Reckon the number of the beast For it is a human number, it's number is 31.

by no1cowboysfan on May 14, 2008 2:57 AM CDT up 0 recs

Forget the article...

Mickey said Roy should be ashamed of himself when he was on with David Smoak today.

Here’s the link…

Mickey talks Roy Williams

Go Cowboys!

by DCFanatic on May 14, 2008 2:16 AM CDT 0 recs

thanks for the audio link

In the interview he mentioned Roy speaking out first and then Greg came behind him with his comments. Is that correct? I thought it all started when Greg Ellis went on Siruis radio and started to talk about Roy?

Can someone clear that up for me?

Thanks.

"If y'all fresh to death, then I'm deceased."

by Wmillion on May 14, 2008 8:52 AM CDT up 0 recs

Ellis was quoting Roy from last year's training camp.

Maybe Roy was just trying to relate with his boy, Greg on some insecurities about the new D.

That #38 sure can hit!

by Bigrigga31 on May 14, 2008 11:23 PM CDT up 0 recs

Talking Cowboys

You can listen to Mickey say some of the same things on Talking Cowboys

by scottmaui on May 14, 2008 3:52 AM CDT 0 recs

Roy my Favorite Player

He use to be my favorite player but he has lost that intimidating factor. I would talk about Roys huge hits week in and week out. I would be like you better watch out dont come over the middle Roy is there. It would be a great comeback to any eagle fan or what not. Now instead of me using Roy has a plus for the cowboys like oh well Roy will justlight up you WR/QB/TE now the opposition has a comeback its ok we will just throw to whoever Roy is covering. Its so dishearting to hear Roy lost his passion for the game lets hope he gets that back/

What the French?! Toast!

by thebigham on May 14, 2008 5:45 AM CDT 0 recs

I still think

WRs do flinch going across the middle because of him (now we have “The Hammer” Hamlin, too). There were a few hits that I rewound last year, but just as Mickey says, there were alot more arm tackles—and I remember several missed tackles.

Perhaps we, fans, expect Roy to be that Bob Sanders type of leader. Was he ever? Or was the talent too young and simply not here yet to allow us to see that he wasn’t? I still think he can be, and he should be.

That #38 sure can hit!

by Bigrigga31 on May 14, 2008 8:46 AM CDT up 0 recs

I know what you mean.

He was this team’s BEAST. Now, teams like the Redskins and Saints have exposed him to the rest of the league. Mickey says he’d better step up, and that is why. Teams know how to compromise his abilities. He’s lost the weight to hopefully be quicker, now he has to be prepared—be VERY prepared for each opponent.

Hamlin does it.

That #38 sure can hit!

by Bigrigga31 on May 14, 2008 9:27 AM CDT up 0 recs

The Tripletts Induction Game

“Do you remember that Monday Night game a couple years back when Dallas was up 13 to 0, and the ‘Skins came back with a coupla deep balls to Santana Moss in the 4th quarter to win 14 to 13? “

Yes I was at that game! I’ve been a Cowboys fan since the early 60’s and that was my first ever opportunity to visit Cowboy Stadium. I really enjoyed the trip and game until the last few minutes. I kept thinking it was a nightmare and I’d wake up and find the ‘Boys had really won.

Dennis

I took this photo at that game…

Geaux Cowboys!

by dlthibo on May 14, 2008 6:29 AM CDT 0 recs

Cool pic!

That #38 sure can hit!

by Bigrigga31 on May 14, 2008 8:42 AM CDT up 0 recs

there is no question that in 2003 and even 2004

Roy Williams was one of every Cowboys fans favorite players, if not absolute favorite player. Back then, our talent was scarce, and Roy was the best player on our team.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on May 14, 2008 7:24 AM CDT 0 recs

Was Roy a team leader then?

On a team with less talent?

That #38 sure can hit!

by Bigrigga31 on May 14, 2008 8:46 AM CDT up 0 recs

absolutely

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on May 14, 2008 8:58 AM CDT up 0 recs

Well, then

maybe he feels that he doesn’t have to be as much now, with Bradie James and Demarcus and Ratliff and Hamlin.

I just think for a player of his ilk, he needs to light fires in others to succeed. I don’t think the others on the field doubt him; they support (and want to) him in coverage.

It’s the sideline guys who are starting to tweak plays for him. That’s what’s so annoying—that you have to switch things up to cover one guy’s weaknesses.

We all knew Roy didn’t have speed, that’s why he’s a safety. But he had instincts and a nose for the ball. Guess only time will tell.

That #38 sure can hit!

by Bigrigga31 on May 14, 2008 9:24 AM CDT up 0 recs

sadly, Roy is one of those rare players

who got worse instead of better over his career. I’ve seen guys like that in high school and college, who were great freshmen and sophmores, but declined as juniors and seniors. Sometimes certain kids peak too early, just like some players are late bloomers.

Bottom line is that Roy has lost his passion for the game and when that happens, its all over.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on May 14, 2008 9:55 AM CDT up 0 recs

Wonder if

Roy had had another year or two working with Darren Woodson it would have made a difference.

We’ll never know.

Keep doing what you been doing, keep getting what you been getting.

by OskieOskie on May 14, 2008 10:10 AM CDT 0 recs

No it wouldn't make a difference

The problem with Roy is that he’s not an athletic player, period. It has nothing to do with him losing weight, he’s a player that can only play moving forward, he is very stiff in the hips effecting his change of direction, doesn’t have a burst and takes bad angles to the ball, not a great tackler, doesn’t wrap up the ball carrier and isn’t a student of the game. He has too much going on off the field, and doesn’t spend enough time watching film and learning to recognize and make presnap reads. Roy and fans have made every excuse in the book for his game, blaming it on not having a free safety, the coaches, the scheme, and now the fans. Roy needs to take responsibility for his own game, and stop blaming everyone else for it.

You know things are bad when even Terry doesn’t defend him anymore and Terry and I have had our battles over Roy Williams play the last three years….

I was never a big fan of Roy, didn’t want him selected, he’s a decent player playing in the wrong era. I thought Dallas should of moved down in the 2002 draft and either selected Ed Reed, haynesworth or Javon Walker.

by Deke on May 14, 2008 10:34 AM CDT up 0 recs

Little Harsh

Don’t you think saying RoY is not athletic is a little over board..

The guy wasn’t flying around making plays with zero athleticism. I do think he got complacent and started to gain weight. Good thing he is trimming down.

"If y'all fresh to death, then I'm deceased."

by Wmillion on May 14, 2008 10:45 AM CDT up 0 recs

not harsh at all, its the simple facts

He hasn’t been the same player since his second season in this league, he doesn’t fly around, most of his plays are him moving forward. In 2007, zero tackles for loss, no QB pressures, no sacks, not many game changing plays, all clear signs Roy isn’t the player you think he is. Its got nothing to do with weight, why would he even wait three years to slim down. By the way, he slimmed down last year coming into trainig camp, so thats another excuse for his declining play.

by Deke on May 14, 2008 10:55 AM CDT up 0 recs

I am not talking about one season, look at the body of Work!

I am talking as a whole to say guy has no athletic ablitily yet he is starting safety in the NFL, I don’t see how that is possible. You don’t get to Roy is in the NFL with no Athletic ability

If you said roy is not a World Class Athlete, I would agree with you.

"If y'all fresh to death, then I'm deceased."

by Wmillion on May 14, 2008 11:45 AM CDT up 0 recs

I've been talking about Roy's body of work on here for three years

It’s well documented. He’s an over paid average one dimensional non athletic player, period who can only make plays moving forward. I have never said he sucked, he’s a decent player in the wrong era. You want to hold on to that idea that he isn’t and is a top ten safety, thats’ fine, but that ship is taking on water, there isn’t much room on the life boats to save yourself, but if you want the captains hat, you’ll be going down with the ship, ala TITANIC!!! LOL

by Deke on May 14, 2008 11:56 AM CDT up 0 recs

+1

Exactly right, Deke.

by Billito on May 14, 2008 1:21 PM CDT up 0 recs

Still

A good athlete.

"If y'all fresh to death, then I'm deceased."

by Wmillion on May 17, 2008 9:50 PM CDT up 0 recs

just sucks

because roy used to be one of my favorite players. partly because everybody else on our team kinda sucked. roy and julius. they were the future. matter-of-fact, I used to write 2131 on everything just to show people what the future would look like. roy getting defensive player of the year. julius winning rushing titles. i thought our future would be centered arount these studs.

damn. now instead of studs they look like they need to be sent out to pasture. roy is not just average in coverage. he’s pretty bad. he can’t cover french fries with ketchup.

i’m not going to question his heart, his intelligence, none of that. he used to be a very elite player. now he’s not. i don’t know why that it is. but it happened.

just shows you. you can be a good guy but as a fan i’d rather you be a productive jerk.

just saying.

by Tuna Helper on May 14, 2008 10:37 AM CDT 0 recs

That's funny

because my user name is bigrigga31 (after Roy). Guess I’ll be a big Mike Jenkins fan, now. At least he has more upside.

That #38 sure can hit!

by Bigrigga31 on May 14, 2008 7:10 PM CDT up 0 recs

More Important

I think the development of Pat Watkins is more important then discussing Roy’s short comings. If Pat can show he can be that center fielder/sure tackler we need at the safety spot, he makes Roy expendable. At that point we can move Hamlin over to Strong and look for youth via Free Ageny or the Draft to back those two up.

Instead of killing Roy, let’s cheer for the progession of P. Watkins this off-season, training camp, and regular season.

"If y'all fresh to death, then I'm deceased."

by Wmillion on May 14, 2008 10:48 AM CDT 0 recs

I dont cheer for any individual player

I cheer for the cowboys, period. And if there is a player on the team thats costing us wins and games in one way or another, I want that player out of here. Its about the Jersey, not the name on the back for me.

Dallas would be better served with Hamlin at strong safety and either Henry or Watkins, if Watkins has progressed to take over at free safety, but with every year Watkins doesn’t grab the reigns, the more I think he’s nothing more than just a backup free safety and a special teams gunner.

by Deke on May 14, 2008 11:01 AM CDT up 0 recs

Hamlin is a good SS

And I think Henry/Watkins would do a great job at Free.

That #38 sure can hit!

by Bigrigga31 on May 14, 2008 7:11 PM CDT up 0 recs

3 years

You have to give developmental player 3 years to develop. The guy was a 5th rounder, there is a reason they went there. Give him his time, I think this is his year.

I cheer for the Cowboys and I cheer for individual players, also.

"If y'all fresh to death, then I'm deceased."

by Wmillion on May 14, 2008 11:42 AM CDT 0 recs

personally..I'd like to get Mike Jenkins playing FS this year...in spots....

thinking that Adam Jones wil indeed be reinstated…..HE will be our 3rd CB at the very least….Jenkins can sure still take reps at the CB position, but how much action will he see as our 4th CB this season ???........ I’m certain he’d be ideal as our nickle/dime FS…..able to roam the outfield with his 4.37 speed and excellent playmaking abilities…..He’s a natural at the position, and was touted out of high school as a top free safety recruit….There is no question Jenkins is better in coverage than Watkins, Brown, Williams, and I’d even throw in Hamlin …..so to best utilize our 1st rounder , Remove Roy and throw Jenkins out there with our dime packages…...He’d essentially be a 2nd slot back or offer deep help over the top….great hands, and speed to bait QB’s into throwing deep….just my two cents…..It could either be a long term deal if we retain Newman and/or Henry….or just for a year or two till Adam Jones and Jenkins take over the 2 starting CB spots….

A true diehard Cowboys fan since 1975.

"If you don’t take him off the field as a coach, he will just about die out there," Jerry Jones said. "That impacted my decision. It’s a Michael Irvin-type work ethic. That’s what we are talking about with Felix Jones."
- Owner/G.M of the Dallas Cowboys , Jerry Jones

by BoyzRback on May 14, 2008 6:50 PM CDT 0 recs