Is Roy Williams the most overrated player in the NFL?

by Dave Halprin on Jul 6, 2006 8:05 PM CDT in Dallas Cowboys News

Pete Prisco is the opposite of Peter King, he seems to never like the Cowboys - whether on the field or their moves off of it. He puts the smack-down on Roy Williams, calling him the most overrated player in the league.

So who's the league's most overrated? There are a lot of name players to choose from, but the winner is Dallas Cowboys safety Roy Williams. He isn't nearly as good as his reputation, which is Lone Star big.

Williams played in his third consecutive Pro Bowl after the 2005 season, but he certainly hasn't performed to that level. Williams is a good hitter when in the box, but he struggles in coverage, which is why teams were able to exploit the Cowboys with some big plays last season.

Anyone who saw the Cowboys blow that Monday night game to the Redskins saw that Williams can be trouble in coverage. The Redskins twice threw over the top of him for fourth-quarter touchdowns.
Sure, he makes those highlight hits. But for every one of those, there's two misses in coverage. That's not good enough.

There is no way he's a better safety than Adrian Wilson of the Cardinals or Sean Taylor of the Redskins, two players who should have gone to the Pro Bowl ahead of Williams.

Personally, I think Prisco is being a little harsh. While I've always thought Roy could wrap-up better on tackles - sometimes he goes for the big hit when the occasion screams for making a sure tackle - he's not nearly as bad in coverage as Prisco would have you believe. Certainly he's never going to be a coverage safety - he is a SS after all - so his value lays in getting turnovers, sacks and making momentum changing hits. You can't underestimate that in terms of establishing your defense as intimidators and it does lead to guys hearing footsteps and causing some "alligator arms" when receivers go over the middle.

In my estimation, he's a tad overrated, but still an elite safety and one Dallas should absolutely keep for years to come.

But I do like his choice for underrated on the Cowboys team (not for the entire league).

Underrated: Drew Bledsoe is one of those quarterbacks who always gets picked apart, no matter what he does. But he had a heck of a year for the Cowboys, throwing for 3,639 yards and 23 touchdowns.

John Clayton weighs in on what he expects to happen in Dallas with regards to Eldorado.

Terrell Owens will have a few on-the-field scrapes with quarterback Drew Bledsoe, but those spats won't create the dissension that tore up the Eagles' locker room. Owens will be on pretty good behavior during training camp and the regular season. Bledsoe won't change his style of being a vocal leader in the huddle, and that will cause some minor problems with Owens. Bledsoe will probably yell at Owens for running a wrong route. Owens will probably yell back. Those things happened with Keyshawn Johnson last season, but none developed into a problem. The ultimate test will come in the playoffs if the Cowboys make it that far.

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Pete Prisco!!!! Clearly you've watched Roy play.

Pete,are you reading my comments on Roy Williams here on Grizz's blog???

Over on Dallascowboys.com, spags has a column about the comparison of Roy and Ed Reed stats, but I now read another excuse for Roy's play, spag's mentioned the linebacker play is the problem, not just the free safety play that has been mentioned for three years now, how many players on our defense have to take the blame for our second tier over rated mistake ridden Strong safety ROY WILLIAMS. For each One big Roy hit which ends up being a first down anyway, Roy has four either, missed tackles, poor angles on crossing routes, hense the horse collar rule known as the Roy Williams rule or no understanding of two deep zone coverage. Roy can only play moving forward and if the play is in front of him. Please Cowboys, draft a safety that can actually do more than one thing next year.

by Deke on Jul 6, 2006 9:23 PM CDT reply actions

This proves my point

that not only is Roy NOT overrated, but is in fact the biggest defensive playmaker we've got as of now. Maybe Ware will step it up this season. we'll see.

But Pete Prisco is a MORON, I've said it before and I'll continue to bash this idiot. He continuously states false facts and pulls his own opinions from where the sun don't shine.

This Prisco Williams bashing only goes to prove that Roy is the real deal, and SS do not have pass coverage responsibilities that override their playmaking abilities. If the FS would do his job, we wouldn't be having this discussion. And thats not blaming others for Roy's faults, thats putting the blame where it belongs!

by APerfectStar on Jul 7, 2006 11:15 PM CDT up reply actions

who is the one

that doesn't understand his resposibility in a two deep cover two, that would be Roy, in the washington game, Roy was the one that got burned twice because he let the receiver on his side get by him, the job of the strong safety on that play was keep the play in front of him, thats what the design of the two deep cover two is, stop blaming the free safety, it wasn't his fault or side that blew their responsibilties.

what???, strong safeties dont have pass coverage responsibilties, what league are you watching!!!

Making that statement is almost as bad as saying the free safty doesn't have run stoppping responsibilties.

How come on pure passing downs last year, did the cowboys take Roy off the field, hmn, was it because he's horrible and liability in pass coverage, but I guess thats the free safeties fault too..In todays NFL, you better have two safeties that can be interchangeable, this isn't the early eighties when it was a smash mouth running league when Lott played, saying Roy is a Ronny Lott player is like saying he's a dinasour, the league today is a far cry from what it once was, more dynamic spread offenses today, thats where Roy has trouble and teams are designing game plans for their offenses when they play the Cowboys to keep Roy out of the Box and in coverage, which makes him a very limited average player.

by Deke on Jul 8, 2006 9:29 AM CDT up reply actions

I watch every Cowboys game

and I think its plain to see Roy's strong suit is not pass coverage. BUT who makes plays consistantly for the defense, that would be Roy. You don't let you top playmakers get away if you have the cap space to sign them long term.
By the way, if the CB or LB had bumped Moss at the line, or the front seven had gotten pressure on Brunell, your point would be negated. A good coaching staff can mask the players insufficiencies to a point. But I would still rather see Roy laying out WRs, RBs, TE's and even QB's with a chance to cause a turn over than to see a mediocre SS make a tackle 15 or more yards downfield. And by the way we didn't even have a mediocre FS on the team last year! Wait until this upcoming season.

by APerfectStar on Jul 8, 2006 9:29 PM CDT up reply actions

woulda, coulda, shoulda!!!!

thats your defense of Roy, if the linebacker, huh!! if the corner chucked him, hard to do that when your in two deep zone, which Roy's only responsibilIty, only responsibility, DONT LET THE RECEIVER GET BY YOU, KEEP THE PLAY IN FRONT OF YOU! oh, lets see, everybody else is the problem, when davis is the starting free safety again this year, what will the excuse be then for Roy's average play, face it, hes a big hitter on plays that result in first downs anyway, so the big hit means nothing when the chains continue to move, thats it, cant cover, cant read where the play is going, takes bad angle on plays, oh and by the way, Davis played alot better the last five games of last year, atleast he raps up the ball carrier.i've said it before, foe every good play roy makes, I can point out four in a game where he blew the play.

by Deke on Jul 8, 2006 11:15 PM CDT up reply actions

Not entirely true...

Yes, in a two deep zone you need to keep the player in front of you, but you are also responsible for plays in front of you. If a safety sits back, always back-pedaling so a receiver doesn't get by you, they are going to dump 15 yarders in front of you all day. The only reason Brunell threw that second TD ball was he saw how far Glenn was off the play and knew Roy was virtually single covering Moss. That's a no win situation for Dallas.

Tom makes a valid point, nobody was chucking Moss off the line of scrimmage and with his speed it's over. A two-deep zone is the perfect time to chuck a reciever because someone is behind you. That's when you should press on the line.

Deke, I respect your football knowledge, but you're way over reacting to this. Roy does make a lot of big hits (and no, it's not always after a first down), he is outstanding in run support, and he causes turnovers. But his coverage ability is suspect so the Cowboys should never have him in a position where Moss gets a running sprint on him, and Aaron Glenn is 7 yards off the play. That was terrible coverage by Glenn.

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by Dave Halprin on Jul 8, 2006 11:48 PM CDT up reply actions

The fact is Deke...

you can't name one SS in the league that covers much better than Roy. And don't give Palomala, Wilson or Taylor because you'd be dead wrong on those guys, I've seen them get beat deep just as much many times as Roy and none of them are even close to Roy's dynamic playmaking abilities.

What are going to say when he shatters the rest of Roethlisberegrs jaw to help us win SB XLI?

"They're going to leave me over here by myself and thats when I'm gonna sink my fangs into them." - Terry Glenn

by Terry on Jul 9, 2006 1:50 PM CDT up reply actions

Well, I wouldn't go that far...

There are definitely strong safeties in the league who are better in coverage than Roy.

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by Dave Halprin on Jul 9, 2006 4:18 PM CDT up reply actions

Well...

I'd like to know who they are because I haven't seen any.

"They're going to leave me over here by myself and thats when I'm gonna sink my fangs into them." - Terry Glenn

by Terry on Jul 9, 2006 8:49 PM CDT up reply actions

I'd say...

Ed Reed and Troy Palamaou (think that's how you say it).....think its a tie between roy and adrian wilson....

by Tuna Helper on Jul 10, 2006 11:00 AM CDT up reply actions

Ed Reed

is a FS safety but you're wrong on Palomala. I see the guy play a lot and there is no way he's better than Roy in deep coverage. I've actually seen him get beat deep much more than Roy.

But I agree that Wilson and Roy have equal coverage skills.

"They're going to leave me over here by myself and thats when I'm gonna sink my fangs into them." - Terry Glenn

by Terry on Jul 10, 2006 12:55 PM CDT up reply actions

I guess Ronnie Lott was overrated too

Everyone knows Pete Prisco is an idiot, all you have to do is read his weekly articles throughout the season to know that.

Roy isn't getting paid millions or going to the pro bowl every year because of his coverage skills, he's the best strong safety in the league because he's a big time play maker, capable of taking over a game defensively with his dynamic skills in the box. Once we get a ball hawking FS to help out Roy, he'll be making all kinds of game changing plays over the field. Pete and Deke can have Wilson and Taylor, there isn't a SS in the league who can more big plays than Roy, its not even close.

"They're going to leave me over here by myself and thats when I'm gonna sink my fangs into them." - Terry Glenn

by Terry on Jul 6, 2006 9:24 PM CDT reply actions

man..

that's money well spent deke! how'd you get to prisco so quickly! LOL....

seriously, deke has been saying this for a minute, so hat tip to him...even tho i disagree...

anyways, i'm looking at this thing realistically...we can't get anybody better than roy.....as much as he struggles in coverage there are honestly, like, only 3 or 4 better in the league...so i say, keep him.....deal with his weakness...his strengths are worth it....

it's like the hot girlfriend with a nice rack and no butt....

dude you can't have everything!

awwww! (as my girlfriend smacks me behind the head)......

by Tuna Helper on Jul 6, 2006 9:58 PM CDT reply actions

Philadelphia Boy

born and raised there, Prisco may have an axe to grind against the Cowboys who have about 5 more Lombardi Trophies than Phily. But maybe I am looking to closely for reason from a sportswriter.

Here is what is interesting - CBS Sportsline has also come out with an all-decade college football team that lists Roy Williams and Ed Reed as the two safeties. Perhaps Prisco should sit with Dennis Dodd and find out more. In the same article Stephen Peterman is listed all-decade at OL from LSU. Pretty interesting article here: http://www.sportsline.com/collegefootball/story/9543150

by lee3022 on Jul 6, 2006 10:54 PM CDT reply actions

Sort Of

While I do agree Roy is overrated, I wouldn't say he's not a top safety in the NFL. I think too many Cowboy fans overlook his flaws, but he's a solid player who is capable of taking over a game. Not too many guys in the NFL can do that.

And he's definitely not the most overrated player in the NFL. To me that's Larry Johnson.

And if you do think Roy isn't the best safety in the NFL, don't give me Sean Taylor as your argument. Good grief, how many times have we burned him? He's got potential and a lot of speed, but he's no Roy right now.

by monkeymcgee on Jul 7, 2006 5:19 AM CDT reply actions

toast....

14-13....vs. the redskins...in dallas...two years ago....vinny hits patrick crayton with a last second touchdown...and the culprit in coverage....sean t....

by Tuna Helper on Jul 7, 2006 12:34 PM CDT up reply actions

I felt

Sean Taylor had a very strong rookie season in 2004 and has improved since.

by Skin Patrol @ Blogging The Boys on Jul 7, 2006 2:24 PM CDT up reply actions

Hello to the Monkey Man...

In case you guys didn't know, monkeymcgee was the first guy to regularly read and comment on Blogging The Boys, almost a year ago, long before we all moved to the new version of BTB here. I can tell you, at that time, I was writing posts and wondering if anybody was actually reading then. Then Monkey started commenting and I thought "at least someone is reading them."

Good to hear from you Monkey, it's like hearing from an old friend again.

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by Dave Halprin on Jul 7, 2006 1:40 PM CDT up reply actions

Howdy

Good to be back, Griz...

I always read your posts on my feedreader, but I've gotten lazy about commenting :)

by monkeymcgee on Jul 7, 2006 2:56 PM CDT up reply actions

Good to hear

There has been way too much love for the Cowboys in the national media for my tastes anyway lately. I want the folks at CBS, SI, and ESPN to be talking about how the Cowboys are good, but still a few years away.

Roy Williams is a top 5 safety in the NFL; how much is a top 5 safety worth is another question.

Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam

by LRogue on Jul 7, 2006 6:55 AM CDT reply actions

Are you worried about the Cowboys...

taking the cheese? Or do you think we just aren't ready for Super Bowl contention yet?

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by Dave Halprin on Jul 7, 2006 1:35 PM CDT up reply actions

Maybe it works out for the bets

SI called Urlacher the most overrated defensive player and the next year he wins Defensive Player of the Year.

by Adam T on Jul 7, 2006 8:12 AM CDT reply actions

Sweet.

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by Dave Halprin on Jul 7, 2006 1:34 PM CDT up reply actions

good point

I definitely can see Roy winning defensive MVP this season with a true ball hawk playing by his side.

"They're going to leave me over here by myself and thats when I'm gonna sink my fangs into them." - Terry Glenn

by Terry on Jul 7, 2006 2:30 PM CDT up reply actions

if we solve this FS dilemmia...

roy could really become something even more special....like get close to double digits in either sacks or forced fumbles....

i could see him getting like 7 or 8 sacks...or 7 or 8 forced fumbles..

he can do it....he has that kind of nose for the ball....

by Tuna Helper on Jul 7, 2006 3:09 PM CDT up reply actions

yeah,

when pigs fly, you really got to get in to get those eyes checked Terry,lol. Lets see, if he doesn't win MVP, which he wont, what will the excuse be next year Terry. How many years are you going to blame others for ROY's inabilities.

by Deke on Jul 7, 2006 3:11 PM CDT up reply actions

Hey Deke...

I could say the same thing about you. At least I admit Roy isn't great in pass coverage, however that doesn't make him overrated or average by any means. I have the Ticket and watch about 75 -100 games a year and I have yet to see a SS in the NFL who covers well. I live in western PA, see a lot of Steeler games and routinely see Palomala get burned.

However you always ignore Roy's strong areas, which greatly outweigh his lack of coverage skills, why is that? The guy is our best defender, at least acknowledge that much.

"They're going to leave me over here by myself and thats when I'm gonna sink my fangs into them." - Terry Glenn

by Terry on Jul 7, 2006 4:57 PM CDT up reply actions