Former Cowboys safety Roy Williams to visit Cincinnati Thursday

by Josh Kirkendall on Mar 18, 2009 10:20 PM EDT

Bengals.com writes, per the Dallas Morning News, that former Cowboys safety Roy Williams will come into Cincinnati on Thursday for a visit (what else would it be). Williams is considered one of the best safeties available, and definitely hardest-hitting.

In early March, Williams publicly requested and was given his release on March 5. The former Cowboys first-round pick is only 28 years old, has seven seasons under his belt with five Pro Bowls and one All-Pro selection. In his career, Williams has recorded 611 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 19 picks and 56 passes defensed. He started 92 consecutive games from 2002 to 2007 and returned three interceptions for touchdowns.

In 2006, Williams signed a $25 million extension on August 2, with an $11 million signing bonus. He was scheduled to make $4.4 million in 2009.

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For the love of your god, sign him.

by "Mr. NC-17" on Mar 18, 2009 10:40 PM EDT reply actions

A luxury at this point?

I’m torn. I’d love to see him in stripes and I’d cream my pants if he tatooed Hines Ward this season but part of me thinks that if he can’t play left tackle or center then we should save our cash.

by Heywood on Mar 18, 2009 10:52 PM EDT reply actions

He can probably play Left Tackle as well as he can play pass defence

They ball when they can and I'm ballin' by nature
Addicted to the game like Jordan and Peyton
-Lil Wayne "Fireman"

by shake n bake on Mar 18, 2009 11:42 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m sorry but Roy Williams, as hard as he hits, doesn’t have the speed to cover anyone anymore. There was even talk in Dallas the past couple years of making him an OLB, where his lack of d-back speed wouldn’t be an issue. Obviously, that project was mothballed. So unless our Keystone Kop Talent Evaluators know something we don’t- i.e., Ndukwe and Crocker were on that tragic Florida fishing trip and lost at sea or Roy has put on 30 lbs. and spent the entire offseason training with Ray Lewis, Mike Singletary, Lawrence Taylor, and the deceased Derrick Thomas(all of whom give him a glowing recommendation), I ain’t seeing it. Seems every time I’ve watched the Cowboys the last couple years, the announcers commented on how Williams’ aggressive style has taken a real toll on his body.

by IgnatiusJReilly on Mar 19, 2009 12:43 AM EDT reply actions

x2 We have no need for Roy Williams unless he’s put on 10 and is playing linebacker.

by kirby28 on Mar 19, 2009 7:02 AM EDT up reply actions

Agreed...

If the Bengals could sign him to a three-day contract (a la the NBA) before each Steelers game (I kind-of like what Heywood is thinking up there…) just to see him lay the wood to some folks, then that would be great, but he couldn’t cover ME in the flat, let alone an NFL receiver!

by TheWalrus1971 on Mar 19, 2009 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions

He could cover me but, then, I run like Andre Smith. Built for comfort, you understand, not speed.

by IgnatiusJReilly on Mar 19, 2009 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Can you play O-line, then? ;-)

by TheWalrus1971 on Mar 19, 2009 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Hmm...

Well, in the same way a refrigerator could play offensive line, yes! I could really get in the way and cause some bruises if the lights were out. Plus, I bite like my idol, Conrad Dobler!

by IgnatiusJReilly on Mar 19, 2009 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions

This blows my mind

The guy was arguably a star and mainstay of the Dallas defensive 11 before Demarcus Ware got big and went to 5 Pro-Bowls and he was never a cover player. He broke into the league and was a step behind everyone, he’s not meant for that role and I don’t think he claims he is the fastest guy out there

To tell you the truth I think Hall, Joseph and Ndukwe are fast enough to make up for any glaring holes Williams would have in a Cover 2 set, which the Bengals would hopefully be smart enough not to employ with him in as safety. Heck, Crocker hits hard and plays the run well and I wouldn’t say he’s a strong cover guy yet he gets our prasies?

"yeah so basically you got a qb with a bum elbow and ocho who is half spanish half retarded and thats it on offense eh"

- Wally, Best Friend/Giants Fan

by Ocho85 on Mar 19, 2009 10:57 PM EDT up reply actions

I like Roy Williams but

we are already pretty set at strong safety, like Zimmer said we need a safety with coverage skills to complete our secondary.

Speaking of that what would you guys think of drafting Malcolm Jenkins if both Smith and Monroe are off the board and we are unable to trade down. He would be a hell of a free safety, as he could probably play CB in the NFL. It might be the best value in that situation and would make our secondary one of the best in the NFL.

by CincyMike56 on Mar 19, 2009 2:19 PM EDT reply actions

The Zimmer-connection

Aren’t you guys underestimating this? He had his best season during Zimmer’s tenure as a DC in Dallas and was asked to both cover and play the run – even though run-stopping, particularly the last two seasons, has always been his force. I can’t help but think of what he did with Crocker.

I think he’ll be pretty expensive, but I can’t help enjoying the thought of Williams, Crocker, Ndukwe, White and Herbert as our safeties.

by el-insaciable on Mar 19, 2009 4:52 PM EDT reply actions

That saftey core would be sick but

it seems to be overloaded with strong safeties and lacking free safeties. Maybe well just play a lot of cover 2 so it really won’t matter but I would love a coverage safety to complete our secondary

by CincyMike56 on Mar 19, 2009 8:13 PM EDT reply actions

theres hardly any strong cover safeties anymore

Safeties are getting so big now that most could be linebackers. There are so many blitz packages employed now that there really isn’t any need for strong cover safeties. They are employed more so to stop the run now, especially with running backs that cut and are outside runners. If you have two fast and good cover corners which I think we do in Joseph and Hall, i think we might actually need a guy who is strong against the run and can hit.

"yeah so basically you got a qb with a bum elbow and ocho who is half spanish half retarded and thats it on offense eh"

- Wally, Best Friend/Giants Fan

by Ocho85 on Mar 19, 2009 11:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed

but i’d argue that we already have multiple guys that fit that bill (M. White, Ndukwe, Crocker) hell even lynch is stronger against the run than the pass. Like zimmer pointed out all we need is one true free safety to complete our secondary.

by CincyMike56 on Mar 19, 2009 11:22 PM EDT up reply actions