Interesting case to take Dan Williams - Page 2

**jjchieffan** · 03-31-2010, 11:35 PM

The Chiefs Need Williams More Than They Need Berry

Just the other day I told you I thought the Chiefs should take a long, hard look at drafting Dan Williams at the #5 spot. I have been thinking about it more and more and I am growing more and more convinced that acquiring Dan Williams is the most important move the Chiefs could make to improve their defense.
Most people consider taking Dan Williams at #5 a drastic reach. They shouldn’t. It is an outdated idea.
Nose tackle in the 3-4 defense is without a doubt the single most important position. A team has no business running the 3-4 without a proper nose.
When you decide to go with 3 lineman instead of 4, you are asking that big fella in the middle to do the job of two men so that your defense has the advantage of having 3 linebackers instead of 4. The linebackers in a 3-4 can see the field better and have a little bit more time to react. The 3-4 also gives the defense the advantage of choosing who the 4th rusher is going to be on any given play. It puts the offense at a disadvantage because they can’t be sure of where that 4th rusher is going to come from.
The Chiefs ran the 3-4 last year without a real nose tackle in Ron Edwards. He plays hard but he isn’t even that good of a 4-3 guard, let alone a 3-4 nose. He had only 26 tackles last year. He also had difficulty eating up blockers.
When the nose tackle fails to eat up blockers, they get to the second level and swallow up the linebackers and safeties who are rushing in to help. If you watched the Chiefs play last year you saw Williams and Mays constantly getting blocked before they could get to the ball carrier, thus springing running backs for huge gains.
Every good NT that might have hit free agency was either franchised or re-signed this offseason. The Patriots opened up the wallet, something they hardly ever do, to pay Vince Wilfork. Teams are switching to the 3-4 so rapidly these days that pretty soon the trendy thing to do will be to switch to the 4-3. The overwhelming number of teams moving to the 3-4 means that quality players that fit the scheme are going to be harder and harder to come by.
In years past, teams could wait until the 2nd or even 3rd round to find their nose tackle because not very many teams were running a 3-4. That is not the case now. It is time for the NFL and draft experts alike, to stop undervaluing the nose tackle as a potential top 10 pick. Without him, the linebackers and safeties can not do their jobs.
Eric Berry, the player many Chiefs fans want the team to go after this year, may not be so high on the draft boards if it was not for his teammate, Dan Williams. The following is from Toolbox.com:
One of the more experienced players in this year’s draft class, Williams has wrapped up an impressive career at Tennessee and is more than ready to take his game to the next level. The defensive tackle redshirted in Knoxville in 2005 and he was basically a full-time starter ever since the beginning of his sophomore campaign in 2007. Although he was often overshadowed on a defense led by star safety Eric Berry, Williams was arguably the glue to the Volunteer defense over the past several years. He recorded 40 tackles and two sacks as a sophomore and as a junior he was third on the team in tackles for loss and second in quarterback hurries, while making 48 total tackles. As a senior, Williams ranked first on the team with nine tackles for loss and nine quarterback hurries. He recorded 70 total tackles (36 solo), 2.5 sacks, and one fumble recovery.
In addition to racking up his own stats, Williams wreaks havoc in the middle of the line to open things up for guys like Berry, linebacker Rico McCoy, and defensive end Chris Walker. “His numbers don’t necessarily show it as far as sacks, but he’s been a force in the middle,” said former head coach Lane Kiffin during the 2009 season. Added McCoy: “I wouldn’t have as many tackles without playing behind Dan. Dan’s taking up a block or two every play, because he demands that attention.”
I am not giving Dan Williams all the credit for Eric Berry being Eric Berry. By all accounts, Eric Berry is a special player and could be great. If the Chiefs draft him, I would be absolutely thrilled but I will still be very concerned about the defense if they fail to add a good nose tackle. No matter how good Berry is, he won’t be able to make the defensive line penetrate the backfield and he won’t be able to make plays if he is running into blockers before he can get to the ball carrier.
If it is ok to take a LT to protect your QB in the top 5 then taking the best player at the position that is the entire key to your defensive success should be as well.
There are 3 good prospects in this draft at NT and they are Dan Williams, Terrance Cody and Cam Thomas. I would say there is an almost 100% chance both Williams and Cody will be gone before the 2nd round begins and probably a 85% chance Thomas is gone before the Chiefs use their first 2nd round pick. After Thomas there is a significant drop off in talent at the position.
Romeo Crennel attended Dan’s Pro Day himself and Pioli proved last season when he took Tyson Jackson that he isn’t afraid to take the best player available at a position if he thinks it will help his team. Don’t be surprised if the Chiefs take Williams early. I would rather have the Chiefs “reach” for the best guy at his position than have them roll the dice that they might be able to turn some 4th or 5th round pick into the most important player on their defense.
Berry would be great but the Chiefs can probably get a very good safety in the 2nd round. I can’t say the same for nose tackle. Moreover, a 2nd round safety may even exceed expectations if big Dan Williams is up front wearing Red and Gold, swallowing up blockers, stuffing the run and opening up holes for the defenders.
Think of it like this. Which would you rather have? A great safety playing below his potential because of bad defense in front of him or a good safety playing great because of his teammates in front of him are great as well?
I’ll go with #2 every time.

http://arrowheadaddict.com/2010/03/3...ey-need-berry/

**The Bad Guy** · 04-01-2010, 07:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KnowMo2724

Ayers will make an impact this year because he will be starting on the other side of Dumervil.

By this logic, Mike Vrabel will make a huge impact because he's playing opposite of Tamba Hali.

Quesadilla Joe · 04-01-2010, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Bad Guy

By this logic, Mike Vrabel will make a huge impact because he's playing opposite of Tamba Hali.

Playing opposite Dumervil will help but that wasn't my point. My point was that he is going to be starting this year. Last year he was only playing special teams and was in the nickle package.

CoMoChief · 04-01-2010, 08:26 AM

I would ****ing be livid as hell if we took him at 5. 15...ok, but not at 5, especially when Berry is sitting there.

**Dave Lane** · 04-01-2010, 10:16 AM

I'd go with what the coaches think but I'd really prefer to drop a few slots and get him.

**The Bad Guy** · 04-01-2010, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KnowMo2724

Playing opposite Dumervil will help but that wasn't my point. My point was that he is going to be starting this year. Last year he was only playing special teams and was in the nickle package.

So he's going to be more productive because he's a starter?

Did you ever think maybe he just sucks and that's why he wasn't starting last year?

Quesadilla Joe · 04-01-2010, 11:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Bad Guy

So he's going to be more productive because he's a starter?

Did you ever think maybe he just sucks and that's why he wasn't starting last year?

Darcel McBath was a stud when he had to fill in for Renaldo Hill and Brian Dawkins last year and he didn't start. McDaniels wants his rookies to play behind vets before he throws them in there. He doesn't want to shatter a guys confidence and make the young guys bust like the Chiefs did with Albert, Dorsey, and Tyson Jackson.

Hootie · 04-01-2010, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KnowMo2724

Darcel McBath was a stud when he had to fill in for Renaldo Hill and Brian Dawkins last year and he didn't start. McDaniels wants his rookies to play behind vets before he throws them in there. He doesn't want to shatter a guys confidence and make the young guys bust like the Chiefs did with Albert, Dorsey, and Tyson Jackson.

is that why Buckhalter averaged 1.5 yards per carry more than Knowblow?

Mr. Laz · 04-01-2010, 11:49 AM

i wouldn't mind if we traded back up into the 1st round and Grabbed Dan Williams.

Berry and Williams would make a solid round 1 imo

**DaneMcCloud** · 04-01-2010, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Laz

i wouldn't mind if we traded back up into the 1st round and Grabbed Dan Williams.

Berry and Williams would make a solid round 1 imo

Williams is most likely a Top Ten pick.

Do you think the Chiefs would basically give up the rest of their draft to get Williams?

I don't.

Mr. Laz · 04-01-2010, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Williams is most likely a Top Ten pick.

Do you think the Chiefs would basically give up the rest of their draft to get Williams?

I don't.

i was think more along the lines of using Glenn Dorsey to move back up.

but if Williams does go in the top 10 then it would be too high for us to jump back up. But if he were to fall into the teens or so then we should consider it.

**The Bad Guy** · 04-01-2010, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KnowMo2724

Darcel McBath was a stud when he had to fill in for Renaldo Hill and Brian Dawkins last year and he didn't start. McDaniels wants his rookies to play behind vets before he throws them in there. He doesn't want to shatter a guys confidence and make the young guys bust like the Chiefs did with Albert, Dorsey, and Tyson Jackson.

You are probably the worst evaluator of talent I've ever read in my life. The fact that the Chiefs started Albert his rookie year, and he was very good, Dorsey, who was much better his second year, mean absolutely nothing and have no coorelation to your Napoleon head coach has NOTHING to do with Robert Ayers being garbage.

Nice try though.

BigCatDaddy · 04-01-2010, 12:22 PM

I think Dan Williams is the best pick if both QB's are gone. Although it things get crazy and Detroit takes Okung and Washington takes Clausen then you might have Suh sitting there. I know he doesn't fit the scheme, but it would be tough to pass on that guy.

Nightfyre · 04-01-2010, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KnowMo2724

Darcel McBath was a stud when he had to fill in for Renaldo Hill and Brian Dawkins last year and he didn't start. McDaniels wants his rookies to play behind vets before he throws them in there. He doesn't want to shatter a guys confidence and make the young guys bust like the Chiefs did with Albert, Dorsey, and Tyson Jackson.

You should be renamed knowless.
Posted via Mobile Device

Nightfyre · 04-01-2010, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigCatDaddy

I think Dan Williams is the best pick if both QB's are gone. Although it things get crazy and Detroit takes Okung and Washington takes Clausen then you might have Suh sitting there. I know he doesn't fit the scheme, but it would be tough to pass on that guy.

Stl - bradford
Det - okung
TB - berry
Was - clausen

KC takes Suh or a kings ransom for the pick.
Posted via Mobile Device

Mecca · 04-01-2010, 02:13 PM

That top 5 has the 2 best players not going top 5, sounds pretty far fetched.

03-31-2010, 11:35 PM
jjchieffan Supporter Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Highlandville, MO Casino cash: $-47752	Interesting case to take Dan Williams The Chiefs Need Williams More Than They Need Berry Just the other day I told you I thought the Chiefs should take a long, hard look at drafting Dan Williams at the #5 spot. I have been thinking about it more and more and I am growing more and more convinced that acquiring Dan Williams is the most important move the Chiefs could make to improve their defense. Most people consider taking Dan Williams at #5 a drastic reach. They shouldn’t. It is an outdated idea. Nose tackle in the 3-4 defense is without a doubt the single most important position. A team has no business running the 3-4 without a proper nose. When you decide to go with 3 lineman instead of 4, you are asking that big fella in the middle to do the job of two men so that your defense has the advantage of having 3 linebackers instead of 4. The linebackers in a 3-4 can see the field better and have a little bit more time to react. The 3-4 also gives the defense the advantage of choosing who the 4th rusher is going to be on any given play. It puts the offense at a disadvantage because they can’t be sure of where that 4th rusher is going to come from. The Chiefs ran the 3-4 last year without a real nose tackle in Ron Edwards. He plays hard but he isn’t even that good of a 4-3 guard, let alone a 3-4 nose. He had only 26 tackles last year. He also had difficulty eating up blockers. When the nose tackle fails to eat up blockers, they get to the second level and swallow up the linebackers and safeties who are rushing in to help. If you watched the Chiefs play last year you saw Williams and Mays constantly getting blocked before they could get to the ball carrier, thus springing running backs for huge gains. Every good NT that might have hit free agency was either franchised or re-signed this offseason. The Patriots opened up the wallet, something they hardly ever do, to pay Vince Wilfork. Teams are switching to the 3-4 so rapidly these days that pretty soon the trendy thing to do will be to switch to the 4-3. The overwhelming number of teams moving to the 3-4 means that quality players that fit the scheme are going to be harder and harder to come by. In years past, teams could wait until the 2nd or even 3rd round to find their nose tackle because not very many teams were running a 3-4. That is not the case now. It is time for the NFL and draft experts alike, to stop undervaluing the nose tackle as a potential top 10 pick. Without him, the linebackers and safeties can not do their jobs. Eric Berry, the player many Chiefs fans want the team to go after this year, may not be so high on the draft boards if it was not for his teammate, Dan Williams. The following is from Toolbox.com: One of the more experienced players in this year’s draft class, Williams has wrapped up an impressive career at Tennessee and is more than ready to take his game to the next level. The defensive tackle redshirted in Knoxville in 2005 and he was basically a full-time starter ever since the beginning of his sophomore campaign in 2007. Although he was often overshadowed on a defense led by star safety Eric Berry, Williams was arguably the glue to the Volunteer defense over the past several years. He recorded 40 tackles and two sacks as a sophomore and as a junior he was third on the team in tackles for loss and second in quarterback hurries, while making 48 total tackles. As a senior, Williams ranked first on the team with nine tackles for loss and nine quarterback hurries. He recorded 70 total tackles (36 solo), 2.5 sacks, and one fumble recovery. In addition to racking up his own stats, Williams wreaks havoc in the middle of the line to open things up for guys like Berry, linebacker Rico McCoy, and defensive end Chris Walker. “His numbers don’t necessarily show it as far as sacks, but he’s been a force in the middle,” said former head coach Lane Kiffin during the 2009 season. Added McCoy: “I wouldn’t have as many tackles without playing behind Dan. Dan’s taking up a block or two every play, because he demands that attention.” I am not giving Dan Williams all the credit for Eric Berry being Eric Berry. By all accounts, Eric Berry is a special player and could be great. If the Chiefs draft him, I would be absolutely thrilled but I will still be very concerned about the defense if they fail to add a good nose tackle. No matter how good Berry is, he won’t be able to make the defensive line penetrate the backfield and he won’t be able to make plays if he is running into blockers before he can get to the ball carrier. If it is ok to take a LT to protect your QB in the top 5 then taking the best player at the position that is the entire key to your defensive success should be as well. There are 3 good prospects in this draft at NT and they are Dan Williams, Terrance Cody and Cam Thomas. I would say there is an almost 100% chance both Williams and Cody will be gone before the 2nd round begins and probably a 85% chance Thomas is gone before the Chiefs use their first 2nd round pick. After Thomas there is a significant drop off in talent at the position. Romeo Crennel attended Dan’s Pro Day himself and Pioli proved last season when he took Tyson Jackson that he isn’t afraid to take the best player available at a position if he thinks it will help his team. Don’t be surprised if the Chiefs take Williams early. I would rather have the Chiefs “reach” for the best guy at his position than have them roll the dice that they might be able to turn some 4th or 5th round pick into the most important player on their defense. Berry would be great but the Chiefs can probably get a very good safety in the 2nd round. I can’t say the same for nose tackle. Moreover, a 2nd round safety may even exceed expectations if big Dan Williams is up front wearing Red and Gold, swallowing up blockers, stuffing the run and opening up holes for the defenders. Think of it like this. Which would you rather have? A great safety playing below his potential because of bad defense in front of him or a good safety playing great because of his teammates in front of him are great as well? I’ll go with #2 every time. http://arrowheadaddict.com/2010/03/3...ey-need-berry/
Posts: 13,341

04-01-2010, 08:26 AM	#18
CoMoChief Mahomes Dynasty Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Parts Unknown Casino cash: $7672254	I would ****ing be livid as hell if we took him at 5. 15...ok, but not at 5, especially when Berry is sitting there.
Posts: 39,245

04-01-2010, 10:16 AM	#19
Dave Lane Space Cadet and Aczabel Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Kanab, UT, USA Casino cash: $9333275 VARSITY	I'd go with what the coaches think but I'd really prefer to drop a few slots and get him. __________________ Thanks, Trump for the civics lesson. We are learning so much about RICO, espionage, sedition, impeachment, the 25th Amendment, order of succession, nepotism, separation of powers, 1st Amendment, obstruction of justice, the emoluments clause, conflicts of interest, collusion, sanctions, oligarchs, money laundering and so much more.
Posts: 40,584

04-01-2010, 11:49 AM	#23
Mr. Laz Don't Tease Me Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: KS Casino cash: $11047037	i wouldn't mind if we traded back up into the 1st round and Grabbed Dan Williams. Berry and Williams would make a solid round 1 imo __________________
Posts: 95,626

04-01-2010, 12:22 PM	#27
BigCatDaddy The Beast Inside Your Head Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Parts Unknown Casino cash: $-1730878	I think Dan Williams is the best pick if both QB's are gone. Although it things get crazy and Detroit takes Okung and Washington takes Clausen then you might have Suh sitting there. I know he doesn't fit the scheme, but it would be tough to pass on that guy.
Posts: 26,268

04-01-2010, 02:13 PM	#30
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $-652950	That top 5 has the 2 best players not going top 5, sounds pretty far fetched.
Posts: 115,346