Cowboys Jason Williams gets some love

by Dave Halprin on Jun 23, 2009 1:01 AM CDT Comment 41 comments

Our own Jason Wililiams pops up on a list of non-first-round draft picks that could have an impact on defense this year for NFL teams.

OLB Jason Williams, Dallas (third; 69th): Despite not being invited to the Combine, Williams was the first of Dallas' 12 draft picks and could be the rookie likeliest to make an immediate impact for the Cowboys. His initial impact may be felt only on special teams; he boasts 4.49-second speed in 40 yards at 6-1, 240 pounds. But don't be surprised if Williams earns playing time as the nickel linebacker on obvious passing downs. He is undeniably raw, but his athleticism turned heads during early practices and the Cowboys aren't yet sure what they have in veteran Keith Brooking and perpetual disappointment Bobby Carpenter.

DeMarcus Ware is the #2 most irreplaceable player in the league, only behind Peyton Manning. (According to Football Outsiders).

2. DeMarcus Ware, ROLB, Cowboys

Some pass-rushers aren't effective against the run -- take Dwight Freeney, who often vacates his gap to try to rush around the offensive tackle to the passer. Ware's not like that. When it comes to stopping the run, the only gap against which the Cowboys were in the top 10 a year ago was left tackle, which is Ware's responsibility. The Cowboys' league-high Adjusted Sack Rate (which adjusts cumulative sack totals for the number of passes attempted and quality of offense), of course, owes much to the impact Ware has. He's the best two-way defender in the game.

I always liked La'Roi Glover, he was a guy we could count on to be a player on defense when he was here. Now, he's retiring.

Couple of Cowboys holding youth camps. Bradie James holds his annual get-together. And whenever George Teague's name comes up, he gets love from me for being the "protector of the star". He's holding a camp, too.

Just because no thread would be complete without it...a Tony Romo discussion with a ton of quotes.

Marcus Spears wins a golf tournament.

The thing that wouldn't die.

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When Teague layed that blow on 'him'...

I was on fire for at least 2 weeks afterwards… haha

Hooah.

by .FRoST.USAF on Jun 23, 2009 2:10 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

A top ten Cowboys moment

and now, thanks to Jerry, I have permission to hate TO again.

Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig loves it.

by dunkman on Jun 23, 2009 7:10 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

+1

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jun 23, 2009 9:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

La'Roi Played Great For Us

A good JJ signing. He played out of position when Big Bill came in and still gave it his all. Good luck beyond the NFL.

by GhostofGaryHogeboom on Jun 23, 2009 9:02 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn't be surprised at all to see Williams

beat out Barbie as the nickel backer, he’s definitely more athletic, but Barbie has the experience and knowledge of the playbook, at least you would think.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jun 23, 2009 9:53 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

No, you want to see him beat out Barbie

You spew hatred for Barbie like your man-crush on Romo.

Why not have both succeed?

That would set up for a great unit now and far into the future. Carpenter’s next contract won’t be for big money and he could end up being a “steal”. Take some of your optimism for Romo and share it with Bobby.

It's not personal, it's just business

by Fighter15 on Jun 23, 2009 11:24 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

"optimism for Romo" is not how i would describe it....

by McLovin9 on Jun 23, 2009 11:48 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah.

I have nothing against Carpenter.

It would be great to be able to get your first rounder on the field.

it was weird, I... I mean you probably didn't hear about it because I went under the name of Mike Honcho. But I just wanted you to know that. If you can hear me, if it got into your brain somehow. That I spread my buttcheeks as Mike Honcho.

by AirforceBat on Jun 23, 2009 11:52 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

while i have nothing against carpenter

I see little reason to be optimistic. Its more that I’m hoping without reason he can finally break through.

by foyesboys on Jun 23, 2009 11:53 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I know what you are saying, but I just keep remembering him playing well in the Seattle playoff game

Lifetime Cowboys Fan from the Swamps of Jersey

by Seanrude on Jun 23, 2009 12:09 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

that was as an OLB, not ILB, big difference

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jun 23, 2009 12:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't hate Barbie

I just realize that he’s not a 3-4 ILB and never will be. I wish him the very best when he eventually goes to a 4-3 team.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jun 23, 2009 12:12 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You don't know that............

This is his chance and so he gets his chance to show himself. Why do you always say Romo has only started 39 games but you don’t want to give Carpenter a chance? That’s double standards and you don’t know if he’s cut out not to be a 3-4 ILB. I hope that Carpenter makes it just to prove you and aU_6g0the other “haters” wrong.

by texstar on Jun 23, 2009 2:38 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

it's not a double standard

Barbie has had 3 seasons to prove that he is tough and physical enough to play ILB, but has shown he’s nothing more than an athletic LB who lacks the heart, toughness and physicality to be an every down ILB. Those facts will never change, he is who he is.

I feel with his speed and athletic ability, he might succeed as a nickel backer, but he’ll never be anything more than that as a Cowboy unless we decide to switch to a 4-3 defense in the immediate future.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jun 23, 2009 3:05 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You don't really know. You're just regurgitating what all the media has been saying...

Hey, I’m not a great Carpenter fan, but if you are going to take up for Romo and his inadequacies then you need to have the same courtesy with Carpenter. In all fairness to him, he has gotten caught up in the changing of the guards with Parcells and Phillips. Plus, he was moved around from different positions. Am I saying that he’s this great LB? Of course not, but you have to give him a chance and stop bashing him by calling him insulting names like Barbie Doll and China Doll.

by texstar on Jun 23, 2009 3:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yes, I do know

I’ve watched him played and he lacks toughness and physicality for the position, those aren’t traits you just all of a sudden learn or acquire, you’re either tough or physical or you aren’t.

Comparing him and Romo is like comparing apples and oranges because Romo’s flaws can be corrected, Barbie’s can’t for that position.

Whether you have the ability to see it or not, he isn’t a tough or physical player, that’s never going to change.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jun 23, 2009 3:45 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

You haven't seen anything...

he’s only played in one game…his rookie year in Seattle where he had 1 and 1/2 sacks, a buttload of tackles, 2 pass breakups, and was the best player on the field that day.

You are simply parroting the mediots…the same mistake many Romo haters do. That is exactly the same criticism that you so vigorously defend Romo, the very definition of hypocracy.

It's not personal, it's just business

by Fighter15 on Jun 24, 2009 3:32 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

he's played in pre season games

and so yes I saw a lot and obviously so did the coaches. If Carp was a physical player and was tough, we wouldn’t have had to sign Brooking.

Why can’t you and others see that Carp was playing OLB in Seattle, not ILB, don’t you know there is a huge difference between those two positions?

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jun 24, 2009 7:30 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

BTW tex

I didn’t give him the barbie nickname, our OL did, which just supports and proves what I’m saying.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jun 23, 2009 3:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I know that........

but you should be wishing that he would turn out to be a good player instead of putting him down. I’m sorry I just don’t understand you. You have this undying devotion to Romo, but you constantly jump on Carpenter. Are you a Cowboy fan or just a Romo fan because it kinda looks that way?

by texstar on Jun 23, 2009 3:50 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

tex, why can't you understand

that you can’t learn or develop toughness or physicality?? Is it because you never played football?

You either love to smash heads or you don’t, it’s not something you can “turn into” Ask anyone who’s ever played football, they will tell you.

When we drafted Carp, I was hoping he’d be a great player, but the reality is that he is out of position, he needs to play in a 4-3 scheme to take advantage of his athletic ability and speed.

I have nothing against Carp at all, other than it’s a shame he was a first rd bust because he was drafted by a 3-4 team.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jun 23, 2009 3:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hey, don't put me down because I haven't played football....

Have you btw? That has nothing to with it. I understand toughness and phsicality but you haven’t been there practicing with him no more than I have. You don’t know what happens on the practice field because you are not there. You are just repeating what has been said about him. You always say that the media is just blowing smoke about Romo, so why can’t you understand that maybe they are wrong about Carpenter as well? I’m not a big fan of Carpenters, but Parcells saw something in him didn’t he? I know, before you say it, his dad played for Parcells. All I’m saying, is give him training camp to prove himself once and for all. If he bottoms out, as you seem to be convinced he will, then so be it. On the other hand, if he surprises you, mark it down, I will be the first to let you know about it.

by texstar on Jun 23, 2009 5:13 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I am with Texstar

It’s too easy to tear guys down and the internet world has made it easier. If the team cuts him, then adios. Until then he’s a Cowboy and I want him to be All-World and I’ll cheer for him as hard as I do Ware or James.

Never wrestle with a pig. You both get dirty and the pig loves it.

by dunkman on Jun 23, 2009 8:59 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like Carp personally

I just think it’s a shame he’s playing out of position because face it dunk, we all know he isn’t physical enough to be a run stuffing 3-4 ILB, he just isn’t, it’s painfully obvious when you watch him play.

Rooting for Carp to succeed Brooking as our full time ILB beside James is like rooting for a round peg to fit into a square hole….useless.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jun 24, 2009 7:37 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

yes I did and I wasn't putting you down

but there has to be a reason why you can’t understand why somebody just can’t all of a sudden become tough and physical over night.

Carp has had three TCs to prove himself, this one isn’t going to be any different, although he’s going to be playing a position more up his alley which is nickel backer because it doesn’t require taking on OL. I fully expect he’ll be okay in that role, but once again, he’ll never be an every down ILB on this team.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jun 24, 2009 7:33 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

He might not be a 3-4 linebacker but

he is good in pass coverage from what I have read. He will be slightly more stout in run support than Burnett sooooooo, I’m wondering if he wins the nickle linebacker spot will that be good enough? To me it is. I would like to see him in on the 4-3 defense or the nickle packages. Dallas plays these packages a lot. He will get close to half the defensive snaps if he wins the job out right.

by Musiccitynorm on Jun 23, 2009 12:32 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

http://www.blueandsilverreport.com/2005/12/19/

Want some perspective? Read this. I quote Rafeal Vela

“Defeats like this often unveil the true leaders, the guys who didn’t blow assignments, didn’t get discouraged and kept making plays. It’s hard to believe there were any such players yesterday, but Bradie James deserves our recognition. While the rest of the linebacking crew was either confused or overmatched, James was a true one man gang. He made that crowd-quieting goalline slam of Clinton Portis that the announcers incorrectly credited to Marcus Spears. Bradie won his battles Sunday and with Dat Nguyen’s career in jeopardy, he likely enriched himself as well. Right now, he’s the inside linebacking corp. You could argue that he’s the linebacking corps, period. And to think he was the square peg at the time of the Raiders loss”

Noone thought James was going to make it untill this game. I think Carpenter is in the same situation. I saw him play in Seattle and I know he can play. Why isn’t he? Why wasn’t James? There were better players on the roster until 2005. 2009 is Carpenters 2005. Dallas was not the only team to have Carpenter as a first round pick, he has talent. Even though he’s been in the league he is still raw. So was James until he got to play.

by Musiccitynorm on Jun 23, 2009 1:00 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Carp is playing out of position, thats why.

He played the Seattle game as an OLB, not ILB.

In Romo we Trust

by Terry on Jun 23, 2009 1:36 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

If B Carp wins the Nickel LB position

wouldn’t opponents run a lot of screens, draws with short-yardage power running to take advantage of his ‘finesse’ approach? I doubt seriously, they’re going to gameplan to his supposed strength- coverage. It’s going to be quite the opposite. And then we’ll be forced to cover up yet another defensive liability with schemes to the detriment of the overall D.

Don’t get me wrong, I’d like nothing more than for him to succeed, but the evidence does not support the conclusion. Quite the contrary, look for a lot of opposing OC’s to exploit it.

'Kade Out!'

by tdships on Jun 23, 2009 1:07 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs