Roy Williams (S)

[IVSKIN]

He wants out of Dallas, and Dallas doesn't want him, and while he has been awful the last two seasons (that pro-bowl selection was a joke) he might be able to be had for cheap. I think he would fit in better in a 4-3 defense, and I think he would be worth the risk. I doubt he'll be looking for a big contract, so if the Bears go out and make an effort to sign him, I think they could have him.

[Chewie]

He wants out of Dallas, and Dallas doesn't want him, and while he has been awful the last two seasons (that pro-bowl selection was a joke) he might be able to be had for cheap. I think he would fit in better in a 4-3 defense, and I think he would be worth the risk. I doubt he'll be looking for a big contract, so if the Bears go out and make an effort to sign him, I think they could have him.

Isn't he a strong safety ?

[WAYSA]

He wants out of Dallas, and Dallas doesn't want him, and while he has been awful the last two seasons (that pro-bowl selection was a joke) he might be able to be had for cheap. I think he would fit in better in a 4-3 defense, and I think he would be worth the risk. I doubt he'll be looking for a big contract, so if the Bears go out and make an effort to sign him, I think they could have him.

Isn't he a strong safety ?

An awful one.

[#1TKfan]

he is a SS. is not awful, just way past his prime.

[emperorjones]

^^That's an early prime to be past. he's 28 and has been named to five Pro Bowl teams and one All-Pro squad in 7 years. He only played 3 games last year-out with a fractured arm:

Roy Williams:

Comment: He is a good run-support player who has solid quickness and reactions near the line of scrimmage. He lacks top reactions in coverage and they will replace him in certain passing situations. Against the run, he is quick to react and is aggressive with his path to the ball. He has linebacker size with good quickness through traffic. He does a good job slipping contact with the ability to quickly diagnose and use good acceleration. He's a tough player for linemen to climb and secure a block in space on. He has good quickness to run in front of oncoming blocks. As a tackler, he closes fast and physical. He has good short-area burst to run through ball carriers. He is physical on arrival when he has the target lined up for him. He usually takes good angles and he makes a lot of plays with his lateral quickness. In coverage, he is effective versus tight ends in man-to-man. He has good size and speed to match up without losing separation at the breaks. He is inconsistent with deeper zone reads and responsibilities. He usually plays up near the line of scrimmage, even when they have him on the field in dime personnel. His deep-ball reactions are inconsistent and he lacks the burst to flip and accelerate off the hash. His aggressiveness and desire for the big hit will cause him to be out of position. He is a tough, physical and strong safety who needs to be accounted for in the box.


EDIT: He just got cut. Signing him as our SS would allow us to move Payne back to his natural free safety position. I'd do it and let Steltz continue to develop on special teams

[#1TKfan]

^^That's an early prime to be past. he's 28 and has been named to five Pro Bowl teams and one All-Pro squad in 7 years. He only played 3 games last year-out with a fractured arm:

thats just it. the injuries are catching up to him. Dallas recognizes this. maybe the bears should to. but then again, a less than 100% RW is probably better than a 100% payne.

[emperorjones]

Come on now. Outside of last season with the broken arm, the guy missed 1 game in 7 years. That's not injuries catching up with you. That's a broken arm last year. You are right though, IMO a secondary of Williams at SS and Payne at FS is much better than Payne at SS and Steltz at FS

In any event, seems like the posters here agree with others that don't think too highly of his skills:

Roy Williams, Cowboys. Age: 29.
Definitely not an every-down safety anymore and an abomination in coverage, but Roy Williams could find a home on a team that prefers strong safety-linebacker tweeners like the Patriots or Falcons.

http://walterfootball.com/freeagents2009S.php

[#1TKfan]

that injury and age is going to be the downfall of RW. i hope im wrong. i love the guy and i hate to see him go, but its the nature of the beast.

[Cliff Levingston]

Safeties that are abysmal in coverage simply don't work in our system. Case in point: Adam Archuleta.

[dingojazz]

Isn't is starting to look like the best free agent safety out there is Mike Brown?

[Chewie]

Isn't is starting to look like the best free agent safety out there is Mike Brown?

Good point. Hopefully we didn't lose his number.

I always felt like we'd try to bring him back at a more reasonable price if he didn't get any attention on the market.

[emperorjones]

Maybe that's why JA cut him lose so soon? I don't think so, very early on he said they were going to part ways. He didn't leave a window open. I think they are ready to find their free safety of the future in the draft.

[CjayC]

He's good.

I don't know if I'd want ole Horse Collar Roy to be a Cover 2 safety though

[DJhitek]

Safeties that are abysmal in coverage simply don't work in our system. Case in point: Adam Archuleta.

Adam Archuleta was awful at tackling too, Roy hasn't fallen off much in terms of run support. But his talents would go to waste in our system. He isn't really all that fast and your right, the guy couldn't cover an offensive lineman if asked to.