Darrent williams article - The Orange Mane

Mediator12 · 08-11-2005, 08:33 AM

Despite small size, corner Williams coming up big
Coach, opponent say ex-Oklahoma State packs lots of passion

By Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News
August 11, 2005

HOUSTON - A certain levelheadedness is needed to excel as a cornerback in the NFL. One must avoid being mesmerized by the skills of the opposing receiver. One must trust technique and make plays accordingly. Denver Broncos secondary coach Bob Slowik has recognized such an even-keeled approach in Darrent
Williams - despite the rookie's outward corkiness. As Slowik put it, Williams isn't "caught up in names yet" of opposing receivers; his focus is on improving.
"I don't think he knows 'No. 80,' " Slowik said Wednesday morning after the Broncos completed their first practice against the Houston Texans. "He just knows '80, 85, 81, 13.' . . . "

Though that mind-set is good in theory, in practice, Williams isn't so oblivious - and he showed it Wednesday. The workout represented the first time Williams had competed against anyone in a pro uniform other than
his teammates since the Broncos selected the former Oklahoma State athlete in the second round of the April draft.

And among the first to step up to the line of scrimmage opposite Williams was Andre Johnson, one of theNFL's more gifted receivers and a Pro Bowl selection last season. As one-on-one drills began, Williams knew his competition's identity. "He was like, 'Andre, let's go,' " said Johnson, who has heard that kind of talk before - and often. Johnson is used to being a measuring stick for cornerbacks. But he might have felt inclined to get out a real measuring stick.

At 6-foot-3 and possessing sprinter's speed but built like a tight end, Johnson is used to dwarfing the players who cover him. But the physical mismatch with Williams appeared more one-sided than most. "Normally, corners are smaller guys," Johnson said, adding with a chuckle, "He's a little bit smaller than a regular corner." Williams is listed at 5-8, 188 pounds - and that might be generous. But after the two tussled a few times, Johnson came away impressed with the cornerback's grit and hunger to compete. "Just from going against him the few times that I did, you can tell he's got a lot of heart and will give it his all," he said.

It figures to be this way for Williams all season. It's going to take some convincing for opponents to believe his incredible foot speed and play-making
instincts can make up for his size. But teammates have become believers in the past few months. Williams began his Broncos career behind Jeremy LeSueur and fellow rookie Domonique Foxworth at nickel back during minicamps and other organized team activities in May and June.
But Williams since has surpassed both players, at least temporarily.
"I really didn't feel like the coaches knew my skill level at corner," Williams said. "I only played four games my senior year, so I really felt like they wanted to evaluate me and see what type of corner I was because I am pretty small and those guys are bigger than me. They wanted to see how
competitive I really am."

Williams continues to show his aggressive side by sticking his head directly into the action. At one point Wednesday, Texans running back Jason Anderson burst through the middle of the line and
Williams willingly applied a form tackle, then let go because practice rules prohibited full contact. The way Williams sees it, he is performing for smaller cornerbacks still trying to make it to the pro ranks. "I try to go out there and go hard, not only for me but for all those other short guys that people say are too small to play in this league," he said. "I want to show them that we can."

Williams has been convincing so far. He replaced Champ Bailey (strained left hamstring) with the base defense this week and saw even more of Johnson.
"Ever since we started training camp, he's made steady progress," Slowik said. "He seems to be a playmaker. He's got a great attitude. He's a feisty guy who likes to play, likes to practice, and he's kind of inched up a little bit."

The veterans on the Broncos defense are busy telling Williams he is not a rookie anymore because they envision him playing an important role in the secondary. Teams, particularly late last season, attempted to get Denver into three cornerback sets to take advantage of the unit, which was depleted because of injuries. Besides Williams, Foxworth also has been impressive playing outside in place of Bailey in the nickel. Foxworth and LeSueur still could overtake Williams for the slot in the nickel, a battle that is "not even close" to being decided, Slowik said.

In other words, Williams will have to play big to keep his job, whether it is against Johnson or someone less familiar. "I'm looking forward to the kid getting out there and playing because the kid's a playmaker," Broncos linebacker Al Wilson said. "And he's a guy that's going to go out and give us everything he has.

Florida_Bronco · 08-11-2005, 08:41 AM

Good post Med, glad to hear he is doing well.

Mediator12 · 08-11-2005, 08:41 AM

Now All I need is for Paymah to get a sniff of an article or at least some praise for a performance! Ozo was dead on about Williams skills though. That Dude is a baller

Mile High Shack · 08-11-2005, 09:01 AM

The only knock on him was his lack of team play and his cockiness at Oklahoma St.

Since I’m a few miles from Stillwater, I heard many things about him. About how his teammates were glad he was gone for the season, he wasn’t a team player, yadda yadda. How his broken forearm shouldn’t of kept him out all year, but he coaching staff didn’t like his attitude.

Anyway, everytime I saw little feller play, he made plays, regardless of size. I think he could stick with little Bradon Stokley quite nicely thank you

Traveler · 08-11-2005, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mile High Shack

The only knock on him was his lack of team play and his corkiness at Oklahoma St.

Since I’m a few miles from Stillwater, I heard many things about him. About how his teammates were glad he was gone for the season, he wasn’t a team player, yadda yadda. How his broken forearm shouldn’t of kept him out all year, but he coaching staff didn’t like his attitude.

Anyway, everytime I saw little feller play, he made plays, regardless of size. I think he could stick with little Bradon Stokley quite nicely thank you

Heard he was suspended for the Bowl game. Why?

Mile High Shack · 08-11-2005, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by papi728

Heard he was suspended for the Bowl game. Why?

since it was college, they don't have to say why, other than "violating team policy"

basically him and the head coach got into it, I think mostly b/c Darrent knew he was leaving to go to the pros.

Les Miles could get under people's skin

ozomulsion · 08-11-2005, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mile High Shack

since it was college, they don't have to say why, other than "violating team policy"

basically him and the head coach got into it, I think mostly b/c Darrent knew he was leaving to go to the pros.

Les Miles could get under people's skin

Yep, Les can be a real dick. He benched Tatum for the last two games of his senior season as well. You can bet if he hadn't, we might not have been able to snag tatum when we did.

Mile High Shack · 08-11-2005, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozomulsion

Yep, Les can be a real dick. He benched Tatum for the last two games of his senior season as well. You can bet if he hadn't, we might not have been able to snag tatum when we did.

people are going to "love" him at LSU, maybe bayou boys are ***** or something lol

Odysseus · 08-11-2005, 12:00 PM

I've been high on this guy since day one. He's a gamer and anyone who doesn't see it will be proved wrong in short order.

Sideburn · 08-11-2005, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mile High Shack

The only knock on him was his lack of team play and his corkiness at Oklahoma St.

Since I’m a few miles from Stillwater, I heard many things about him. About how his teammates were glad he was gone for the season, he wasn’t a team player, yadda yadda. How his broken forearm shouldn’t of kept him out all year, but he coaching staff didn’t like his attitude.

Anyway, everytime I saw little feller play, he made plays, regardless of size. I think he could stick with little Bradon Stokley quite nicely thank you

That's partially true. Les Miles was a real dick. I was listening to an interview with Gundy the other day and he said he didn't know why Williams was "kicked" off the team. Of course, at the time Gundy was more into the offensive side of the ball and probably didn't pay too much attention to what happened on the D side. With the passing of Vernon Grant I bet they wish they still had Williams though.

IHaveALight · 08-11-2005, 05:50 PM

I just can't get used to seeing him wearing #27. Hopefully some of the spirit from that 27 crosses over to him.

08-11-2005, 08:33 AM	#1
Mediator12 OM analyst REAL Front Seven Bandwagon !!! Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: INDY Posts: 9,701 Adopt-a-Bronco: Malik Jackson	Darrent williams article Despite small size, corner Williams coming up big Coach, opponent say ex-Oklahoma State packs lots of passion By Lee Rasizer, Rocky Mountain News August 11, 2005 HOUSTON - A certain levelheadedness is needed to excel as a cornerback in the NFL. One must avoid being mesmerized by the skills of the opposing receiver. One must trust technique and make plays accordingly. Denver Broncos secondary coach Bob Slowik has recognized such an even-keeled approach in Darrent Williams - despite the rookie's outward corkiness. As Slowik put it, Williams isn't "caught up in names yet" of opposing receivers; his focus is on improving. "I don't think he knows 'No. 80,' " Slowik said Wednesday morning after the Broncos completed their first practice against the Houston Texans. "He just knows '80, 85, 81, 13.' . . . " Though that mind-set is good in theory, in practice, Williams isn't so oblivious - and he showed it Wednesday. The workout represented the first time Williams had competed against anyone in a pro uniform other than his teammates since the Broncos selected the former Oklahoma State athlete in the second round of the April draft. And among the first to step up to the line of scrimmage opposite Williams was Andre Johnson, one of theNFL's more gifted receivers and a Pro Bowl selection last season. As one-on-one drills began, Williams knew his competition's identity. "He was like, 'Andre, let's go,' " said Johnson, who has heard that kind of talk before - and often. Johnson is used to being a measuring stick for cornerbacks. But he might have felt inclined to get out a real measuring stick. At 6-foot-3 and possessing sprinter's speed but built like a tight end, Johnson is used to dwarfing the players who cover him. But the physical mismatch with Williams appeared more one-sided than most. "Normally, corners are smaller guys," Johnson said, adding with a chuckle, "He's a little bit smaller than a regular corner." Williams is listed at 5-8, 188 pounds - and that might be generous. But after the two tussled a few times, Johnson came away impressed with the cornerback's grit and hunger to compete. "Just from going against him the few times that I did, you can tell he's got a lot of heart and will give it his all," he said. It figures to be this way for Williams all season. It's going to take some convincing for opponents to believe his incredible foot speed and play-making instincts can make up for his size. But teammates have become believers in the past few months. Williams began his Broncos career behind Jeremy LeSueur and fellow rookie Domonique Foxworth at nickel back during minicamps and other organized team activities in May and June. But Williams since has surpassed both players, at least temporarily. "I really didn't feel like the coaches knew my skill level at corner," Williams said. "I only played four games my senior year, so I really felt like they wanted to evaluate me and see what type of corner I was because I am pretty small and those guys are bigger than me. They wanted to see how competitive I really am." Williams continues to show his aggressive side by sticking his head directly into the action. At one point Wednesday, Texans running back Jason Anderson burst through the middle of the line and Williams willingly applied a form tackle, then let go because practice rules prohibited full contact. The way Williams sees it, he is performing for smaller cornerbacks still trying to make it to the pro ranks. "I try to go out there and go hard, not only for me but for all those other short guys that people say are too small to play in this league," he said. "I want to show them that we can." Williams has been convincing so far. He replaced Champ Bailey (strained left hamstring) with the base defense this week and saw even more of Johnson. "Ever since we started training camp, he's made steady progress," Slowik said. "He seems to be a playmaker. He's got a great attitude. He's a feisty guy who likes to play, likes to practice, and he's kind of inched up a little bit." The veterans on the Broncos defense are busy telling Williams he is not a rookie anymore because they envision him playing an important role in the secondary. Teams, particularly late last season, attempted to get Denver into three cornerback sets to take advantage of the unit, which was depleted because of injuries. Besides Williams, Foxworth also has been impressive playing outside in place of Bailey in the nickel. Foxworth and LeSueur still could overtake Williams for the slot in the nickel, a battle that is "not even close" to being decided, Slowik said. In other words, Williams will have to play big to keep his job, whether it is against Johnson or someone less familiar. "I'm looking forward to the kid getting out there and playing because the kid's a playmaker," Broncos linebacker Al Wilson said. "And he's a guy that's going to go out and give us everything he has. Last edited by Mediator12; 08-11-2005 at 08:38 AM..

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08-11-2005, 08:41 AM	#2
Florida_Bronco Got trolls? Welcome to Mile High, Brady! Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 13,810 Adopt-a-Bronco: Brady Quinn	Good post Med, glad to hear he is doing well.

08-11-2005, 09:01 AM	#4
Mile High Shack Ring of Famer Cock-a-doodle-do Join Date: May 2001 Location: Somewhere Posts: 17,010	The only knock on him was his lack of team play and his cockiness at Oklahoma St. Since I’m a few miles from Stillwater, I heard many things about him. About how his teammates were glad he was gone for the season, he wasn’t a team player, yadda yadda. How his broken forearm shouldn’t of kept him out all year, but he coaching staff didn’t like his attitude. Anyway, everytime I saw little feller play, he made plays, regardless of size. I think he could stick with little Bradon Stokley quite nicely thank you

08-11-2005, 12:00 PM	#9
Odysseus Fan of the home team Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Durango, Colorado Posts: 12,107 Adopt-a-Bronco: Mark Schlereth	I've been high on this guy since day one. He's a gamer and anyone who doesn't see it will be proved wrong in short order.

08-11-2005, 05:50 PM	#11
IHaveALight the sun is gone Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Denver Posts: 1,261 Adopt-a-Bronco: ElvisVonWolfPak	I just can't get used to seeing him wearing #27. Hopefully some of the spirit from that 27 crosses over to him.