Demorrio Williams Feeling Comfortable in the Chiefs 3-4 Defense

by Joel Thorman on Dec 3, 2009 9:00 AM CST in 2009 Kansas City Chiefs Campaign

A few weeks ago, Nick Wright of 610 Sports earned the nickname "Derrick Johnson question guy" when he asked Chiefs head coach Todd Haley, 'What is the deal with Derrick Johnson not starting?' Haley, in a somewhat spirited exchange, turned the focus to Demorrio Williams, the six year veteran who's currently perched directly above DJ on the depth chart.

Haley has, on numerous occasions, preferred to focus on the positives coming from Williams instead of explaining why No. 56 hasn't been on the field as often. In the offseason, Zach Thomas said this would be DJ's best position and he would flourish. Like Johnson, Williams was new to the 3-4 defense.

"At first I had a little doubt about it because i'd never played in a 3-4," Williams told Soren Petro on the Red Zone. "I was always a 4-3 guy but after getting in the system these last few games, I really like it a lot."

Williams says the 4-3 made him feel like "you have to be perfect all the time" but in the 3-4, he's given some freedoms.

"I know what's in front of me and what's coming at me," he said. "I really like it a lot because it gives you an opportunity to make a lot of plays."

He's relatively undersized at 6'1", 230 pounds but, because of the 3-4, he can use that to his advantage.

"When I'm dealing with the big guys," he explained, "I need to attack the big guys before they attack me. That's why I'm successful in a 3-4, is to attack guys."

Williams battled injuries during training camp and said he "was a little worried" about being cut in the first week of September.

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Glad To See Williams Is More Comfortable

Frankly, he’s been a pleasant surprise this year after the season he had last year (although a lot of that was Gunther throwing him under the bus to shift blame).

Moderator - Arrowhead Pride

by UCrawford on Dec 3, 2009 9:33 AM CST reply actions

San Diego Game

Watching the San Diego game, he was constantly missing plays and was almost as bad as our safeties, which is saying a lot. Maybe an off day, DJ has not impressed me either he is either big play guy or gives up the big play. No consistency.

by KC CZAR on Dec 3, 2009 9:39 AM CST reply actions

Williams is not an elite LB, but I have been quite happy.

He makes mistakes, but has been a lot better than I expected. The 3-4 seems to have worked out for him.

by saskwatch on Dec 3, 2009 9:53 AM CST reply actions

I can't remember a play he's made

by FrankPitts on Dec 3, 2009 10:03 AM CST reply actions 1 recs

I kinda get that feeling too.

For some reason, nothing seems to stick out. The guy has 95 total tackles though, for reference Vrable has 41, Mays 73, and Hali 40. Seems pretty decent to me at least. Any of the armchair film experts want to chime in on this?

by Archyrr on Dec 3, 2009 10:50 AM CST up reply actions

I Don't Think He's A Star Or Anything

But he’s shown himself to be at least a league-average starting linebacker this season, IMO…and on this team that’s probably good enough.

And no, nothing he does really stands out. He’s just a dude you can plug into the lineup and be okay with. Probably a C/C+ (which isn’t meant as a knock).

Moderator - Arrowhead Pride

by UCrawford on Dec 3, 2009 11:44 AM CST up reply actions

is that 95 tackles team leading?

by MountainManMike on Dec 3, 2009 1:52 PM CST up reply actions

I was wondering the same thing but I think it has to do with us being fans.

As fans we, like every other teams fans, judge our players against our current players. We judge them based on what we watch as Chiefs fans. So it’s a lot easier for someone to look good to us when in reality their not compared to the rest of the NFL.

I don’t think overall he can be ranked with any of the elite LB’s in the NFL by any stretch what so ever. But compared to what we have to work with, he’s a good choice. I see fans of other teams that talk about their teams players like they know them, when I’ve never even heard of some of them. But they know because it’s their team and their players.

I think that’s the same here. I think we’re looking at him thru chiefs colored glasses because we know him. So I doubt he has anything extra ordinary to really highlight. But he’s a solid enough player for this year to be a starter. Hope fully next year we get some bad ass dudes in here and we can use these guys who have gotten a lot of experience this year starting, as solid backups.

by krayfish on Dec 3, 2009 10:56 AM CST reply actions

I like Williams

hes not the biggest or best guy on the field but he plays hard, Atleast its good to see our leading tackler is a LB and not a Safety like last year. Yes DJ is far more talented but this guy sticks his body in and fills gaps and can fight off blockers.

With another Elite LB on the team I think he could contribute and be a part of a good LB team.

Great players dont win championships.....Great TEAMS win championships

by DT58forever on Dec 3, 2009 11:10 AM CST reply actions