Teicher: Chiefs’ Williams hopes to break recent linebacking trend

[Tribal Warfare]

Chiefs’ Williams hopes to break recent linebacking trend
By ADAM TEICHER
The Kansas City Star


A brave man, this Demorrio Williams.

He was well-aware of the Chiefs’ rotten history with recent free-agent linebackers — Shawn Barber, Kendrell Bell, Napoleon Harris — and he willingly signed on anyway last winter.

Williams played some in his first three games with the Chiefs but is scheduled to make his first start Sunday against Denver at Arrowhead Stadium in place of the injured Donnie Edwards.

Edwards, who has a sore ankle, will miss his first game since 1998, ending a streak of 156.

Edwards is also the exception to the Chiefs’ lousy record of linebacker signings. Barber and Bell each lasted two seasons as a starter, Harris only one.

Williams won’t try to be the savior, though the 0-3 Chiefs certainly need one.

“I’m just going to do what I’ve got to do,” said Williams, who played four seasons for Atlanta before joining the Chiefs. “Everybody’s got a job. That’s kind of been the breakdown. One guy didn’t do what he was supposed to, and then the next guy didn’t do what he was supposed to do. That’s always a problem.

“To me, it’s always personal when a guy breaks out because they’re not saying it’s Derrick Johnson (responsible for the error). They’re saying it’s the defense. I feel that when you’re part of the defense, you’ve been called out, too.”

Williams, the first free agent signed by the Chiefs last winter, was initially scheduled to start in Edwards’ spot on the outside, with Edwards moving in to Harris’ position in the middle.

But Williams got off to a slow start in the offseason practices and training camp. So when the Chiefs finally ran out of patience with Harris in training camp, they used Pat Thomas in his place instead.

Now, with Edwards out, the Chiefs had to turn to Williams. Their only other outside linebacker is rookie Erik Walden, who joined the Chiefs only at the start of the regular season.

“Speed,” coach Herm Edwards said when asked about Williams’ best quality. “He can run. He can tackle in space for the most part. He’s a pretty good pass rusher, too. His problem right now is that he’s playing with one hand, so it’s hard for him to tackle right now.”

That’s a reference to a broken bone in Williams’ hand that kept him out of the final two preseason games. He’s been playing with a cast on the hand since.

The Chiefs like Williams enough as a pass rusher that they’ve used him occasionally as an end in obvious passing situations. They may use him to go after Denver quarterback Jay Cutler on Sunday.

Williams joins a defense that is near the bottom of the league in points, yards and rushing yards. They’ve allowed an alarming 16 runs of 10 yards or more.

Those numbers could get worse after Sunday’s game. The Broncos lead the league in scoring and are second in total yards.

“I take (the defensive breakdowns) personally,” Williams said. “But it’s not (just) the linebackers and it’s not (just) the defensive line and it’s not (just) the secondary. It’s the whole team. You can’t point the finger at (anybody). We’re all missing tackles, and there are a lot of guys out of their gaps. So if we do our job as a team, we’ll be OK.

“People around the league will give us a little respect if we can go out there and win this game.”

As long as Edwards is out, Williams will be auditioning for a starting job for next season. Those jobs will be available because Edwards, 35, could be in his last season and Thomas has yet to secure one with his play, leaving only Johnson.

Beyond that, it’s a chance for Williams to show the Chiefs are better at gauging the talents of free-agent linebackers than their recent record would show.

•INJURY REPORT: Quarterback Brodie Croyle (shoulder), linebacker Donnie Edwards (ankle) and cornerback Patrick Surtain (shoulder) did not practice Friday and are out for Sunday’s game. Kick returner B.J. Sams is questionable, and defensive end Tamba Hali (knee) is probable.

[Hammock Parties]

Williams, the first free agent signed by the Chiefs last winter, was initially scheduled to start in Edwards’ spot on the outside, with Edwards moving in to Harris’ position in the middle.

But Williams got off to a slow start in the offseason practices and training camp. So when the Chiefs finally ran out of patience with Harris in training camp, they used Pat Thomas in his place instead.

Why has Teicher held onto this BS the entire time?

Donnie Edwards has not spent a single play this year as middle linebacker.

[FAX]

“... His problem right now is that he’s playing with one hand, so it’s hard for him to tackle right now ..."

I didn't realize he was so perfect for our system.

FAX

[chiefs1111]

Can Williams tackle???????