Broncos' Williams ready for Move.

[24champ]

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP)—D.J. Williams is used to moving around the Denver Broncos defense, but he hopes this latest move sticks.

Williams has played all three linebacker positions in his four-year career, and for 2008 he is going from middle linebacker back to the weak side, a position he played through college and in his rookie year of 2004.

“I enjoyed playing (middle) last year, I had fun,” he said. “I thought I caught on well at the end, but the team decided to move me back to (weak side), so that’s what I’m doing.”

Switching positions has been an every year occurrence for Williams, but it hasn’t been easy.

“I haven’t been happy about the movement, but I like the organization, I like the city,” Williams said Tuesday at the Broncos’ practice facility. “I understand why I had to move; it made the team better. Sometimes it’s always not best for you.”

Williams’ size—he’s listed at 6-foot-1, 242 pounds—made him a versatile guy in the Denver defense.

“I already feel like a little knockaround guy, like hey, we can put him here, we can throw him there,” he said. “Just as long as I was successful at each position.”

Williams moved to strong-side linebacker his second year, back to weak side in his third year and last year he moved to the middle. He said his best position is weak side, but by moving around he has made himself a valuable player.

“If I would have played (weak side) every year here, this would be my ninth year playing (it) because I played it all through college,” he said. “A lot of things come second nature. But at the same time, the fact that I changed a lot of positions, it puts your value up. You’re a guy who can be put anywhere.”

Despite a strong statistical year in 2007, Williams feels he’s better at weak side linebacker than at middle linebacker. Williams was second in the NFL in tackles with 170, 121 unassisted. He easily surpassed his previous high of 114, 82 unassisted, that he reached as a rookie.

Williams’ best game came at Oakland on Dec. 6 when he had 16 tackles, 12 unassisted, and recovered a fumble. In two games against the Raiders, Williams had 29 tackles.

Williams feels his play last year earned him respect from his teammates, and it helped establish him as a leader on the Denver defense.

“I didn’t want to come in and tell guys what to do just because they put me at middle,” he said. “I had to go out and perform and produce. Once you do that, then guys look up to you and then you’re able to say don’t do this, don’t do that.”

http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news;_yl...v=ap&type=lgns

[tsiguy96]

who wants to bet he doesnt re-sign as a bronco?

[Florida_Bronco]

Originally Posted by tsiguy96

who wants to bet he doesnt re-sign as a bronco?

He will, I'm certain. He really seems to enjoy being a Bronco.

[Casper Bronco]

Originally Posted by tsiguy96

who wants to bet he doesnt re-sign as a bronco?

If he performs like he should he won't be going anywhere

[TheReverend]

This move should be good for DJ. He won't have as much responsibility at the Will and it's not as damaging when he tries to run around blockers. Worst case, Slowik's in his helmet now and can tell him wtf to key on before the play.

[SoCalBronco]

Good article, thanks 24.

[TheReverend]

I hold VERY high hopes that this is the year DJ completes his game... pro-bowl berth and a decent contract to secure his future.

[Kaylore]

I'm excited to see him back where he belongs. I think the other positions will help him understand the big picture better.

[Punisher]

Originally Posted by TheReverend

I hold VERY high hopes that this is the year DJ completes his game... pro-bowl berth and a decent contract to secure his future.

I hold them hopes too Rev

[wolf754life]

shannarat should switch him to Full Back

[Punisher]

Originally Posted by wolf754life

shannarat should switch him to Full Back

[TheReverend]

Originally Posted by wolf754life

shannarat should switch him to Full Back

He's entirely too special an athlete to play fullback...

[Punisher]

Originally Posted by TheReverend

He's entirely too special an athlete to play fullback...

Wolf was just being sarcastic

[brncs_fan]

I couldn't help but get the feeling by reading between the lines that DJ is looking to shop around in free-agency.

I hope that isn't the case and I am reading too much into this.

[worm]

Originally Posted by wolf754life

shannarat should switch him to Full Back

Well it is his 'natural' position.

[HEAV]

DJ has been dicked around for too many years. I don't see him re-signing in Denver.

Even if franchised, which I doubt, he hasn't been thrilled with the musical chairs and the coaching.

I predict a second round linebacker selection in a few weeks.

[cmhargrove]

Originally Posted by HEAV

DJ has been dicked around for too many years. I don't see him re-signing in Denver.

Even if franchised, which I doubt, he hasn't been thrilled with the musical chairs and the coaching.

I predict a second round linebacker selection in a few weeks.

It's all about this year for DJ. If he truly finds his full potential this year, and is even in the serious running for a Pro-Bowl again, I think the Broncos keep him. I think they will pay big for at least one LB. If DJ proves his worth again this year, and the entire defense improves, I think we keep him. Especially since we have a bargain bin MLB (if he pans out), and a decent deal on Bailey.

The real question mark is the middle. How will Niko do in the middle? That might influence DJ's situation more than anything.

[Drek]

Originally Posted by HEAV

DJ has been dicked around for too many years. I don't see him re-signing in Denver.

Even if franchised, which I doubt, he hasn't been thrilled with the musical chairs and the coaching.

I predict a second round linebacker selection in a few weeks.

He's never had anything bad to say about the coaching that I've seen. And of course he isn't happy with being moved back and forth, but now is the chance for the FO to finally lock him into the weak side linebacker spot, since we're overhauling our crew.

I'm betting a big contract extension and the knowledge that he'll be on the weak side the rest of his career is more than enough to get him resigned.

[Gcver2ver3]

Originally Posted by HEAV

DJ has been dicked around for too many years. I don't see him re-signing in Denver.

Even if franchised, which I doubt, he hasn't been thrilled with the musical chairs and the coaching.

I predict a second round linebacker selection in a few weeks.

we will certainly draft LB on draft day...maybe even on day one...

but it won't be to replace DJ...

he's not going anywhere...

[kmonty]

DJ showed that it was about the team first. Even if it helped his growth or his stats more, the team's needs came first. God we need more players like that.

[montrose]

Originally Posted by HEAV

DJ has been dicked around for too many years. I don't see him re-signing in Denver.

Even if franchised, which I doubt, he hasn't been thrilled with the musical chairs and the coaching.

I predict a second round linebacker selection in a few weeks.

Reason #1 I wouldn't be surprised at all if Keith Rivers is picked at #12 which will be real shame seeing his selection is essentially making up for the mistake of moving DJ around year after year.

[azbroncfan]

Of course he is ready for a move as he has been a failure at MLB and extremely average at SLB.

[Popps]

Originally Posted by azbroncfan

Of course he is ready for a move as he has been a failure at MLB and extremely average at SLB.

But.... he might not re-sign with us next year.

GASP!!!!

[DomCasual]

I thought this was an interesting quote from a similar article in today's Post:

(Williams said) "At the combine, they didn't speak to me, didn't do any interviews, so I was shocked. I think I talked to Ted Sund quist, and he says, 'How would you like to be a Denver Bronco?' I look at my agent and say, 'Can I say no?' "

Ten years ago, nearly any player asked about the prospect of playing in Denver: "Where do I sign? Are you serious? They're interested in signing me?"

Now, asked about the prospect of playing in Denver: "Can I say no?"

That sucks.

[Gcver2ver3]

Originally Posted by DomCasual

I thought this was an interesting quote from a similar article in today's Post:



Ten years ago, nearly any player asked about the prospect of playing in Denver: "Where do I sign? Are you serious? They're interested in signing me?"

Now, asked about the prospect of playing in Denver: "Can I say no?"

That sucks.

eh...he only said he asked that because he was under the impression that we still had john mobley, al wilson, & ian gold as starters...

he didn't know that mobley was out...

so he thought he'd be a back-up right out the gates...