Raiders LB Williams low on stats, high on importance

By Anthony Carroll  |   Tuesday, October 09, 2007  |  Comments( 40 )

Oakland Raiders
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It's hard to believe, but the Oakland Raiders aren't running a 5-2 defense this season. They actually have three starting linebackers.

Two already have three picks each and have combined for 53 tackles. Their names, of course, are Kirk Morrison and Thomas Howard.

The other has 11 tackles, no interceptions and no sacks.

Under the circumstances in Oakland, that's good football.

Sam Williams, a fifth-year outside linebacker from Fresno State, has been as consistent as anyone on the Raider defense this season. His flashiness is another story.

The 6-foot-5, 260-pounder lines up as the defense's strongside LB, where he is regularly responsible for covering the tight end. Through four games this season, opposing starting tight ends average three catches per outing, good for under 47 yards per game.

Only Cleveland's Kellen Winslow, understandably, has hauled in over five passes on the Raider defense. Already, Winslow averages five catches and 83 yards per game through five weeks.

Still, you'd be hard-pressed to find anyone raving about the 27-year-old Williams. The eldest of Oakland's three starting linebackers, No. 54 has been overshadowed by his two counterparts. Williams ranks just eighth on the team in tackles and is the only linebacker without an interception or any other turnover this season. Despite starting every game this year, the Clayton, Calif., native has fewer tackles than four defensive backs.

Much of the reason Williams has been so behind on the stat sheet has been the way he's been used. Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan rotates the former third-rounder out of the game on passing downs, while both Morrison and Howard stay in. Oftentimes, the 240-pound Howard is lined up wide in a cornerback-like position in man coverage against a running back. Williams, two inches taller and 20 pounds heavier, would have trouble running alongside a starting RB.

Still, Williams has been playing tough, physical football this year. Despite the numbers, he's been stout against the run, and has done a sound job taking on and pushing back the tight end to close rushing lanes. Though not as fast or high-flying as Morrison and Howard, Williams has been equally as physical along the defensive front.

That's easier said than done for a player who's missed more games to injury than he's started in five NFL seasons.

In 2003, as a rookie, Williams fell to a knee injury and missed 15 games; the next season he missed seven games with a shoulder injury. Finally, in 2005, an injury to his ACL left the linebacker sidelined for the entire regular season. Last year was the young defender's most complete season, when he missed just one Week 2 start.

For Oakland, keeping Williams healthy is a major concern, even if it doesn't show in the stats.

It seems he's becoming the defender making a commotion behind the scenes.

Or behind his teammates.

Williams was the player pushing defensive end Tommy Kelly from behind when he fell forward and blocked Cleveland's Week 3 game-winning field goal attempt.

That kind of play doesn't show up on the stat sheet.

Anthony Carroll, a senior writer for RealFootball365.com, can be contacted at acarroll@realfootball365.com.
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About Anthony Carroll

Anthony Carroll began writing for RealFootball365.com on Sept. 26, 2005, making him one of the longest tenured contributors to the “365” team. As a senior writer, Anthony has taken on the task of delivering original content to the silver and black faithful year round, despite having to deal...
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