Chiefs LB Demorrio Williams Says Knee Injury Limited Him in 2009
by Joel Thorman on May 23, 2010 8:30 AM CDT
in 2010 Kansas City Chiefs Season
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PrintChiefs LB Demorrio Williams was the starter at inside linebacker last year to the surprise of a few folks (including LB Derrick Johnson). I've previously scrutinized Williams' role at the position because -- on a defense that was desperate for playmakers -- Williams accumulated zero interceptions, forced fumbled, or sacks.
Derrick Johnson, on the other hand, had three interceptions, one forced fumble and one sack in a fraction of the playing time. That's the root of most of these questions regarding DJ's lack of playing time.
According to Williams, part of the reason for those low numbers was a knee injury last offseason. If you'll recall, Williams didn't even start practicing until nearly two weeks into camp.
"It was a frustrating year because I got hurt before the season," Williams said, according to the Kansas City Star. "I did everything I could to be out there with my teammates and try to make the plays that I could. This year I plan on staying healthy and doing a lot more to contribute to the team."
He also said the knee injury limited him and wouldn't allow him to be as effective as he had wanted. Now, Williams could have told the media (anonymously or not) at some point throughout the year that he was hurt and that would have explained the lack of "playmaker numbers" but he didn't talk to the media last year. Somehow, I think that's a quality the Chiefs like in him.
But back to the injury. If he had an injury that limited his effectiveness then shouldn't the Chiefs have put him on the injury report? They didn't. Williams doesn't show up on any of the Chiefs weekly injury reports throughout the season. Surely the Chiefs wouldn't fudge the injury report so it's possible Williams not only kept his injury from the media but the team as well.
Williams said towards the end of the season that he was beginning to feel more comfortable in the 3-4 defense and Todd Haley gave him a vote of confidence of sorts midway through last season so he has something that the Chiefs want.
Whether a healthy Demorrio Williams can stave off DJ for one more season is yet to be determined.
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Curiuos
I’m torn. I like DJ and his highlight plays from last year with the limited snaps. But at the same time I’m a fan of Williams. All I hope is that the coaching staff plays the best player at the position. Wether that be DJ, Williams or some rando rookie. Competition baby!
by KChiefs58 on May 23, 2010 9:04 AM CDT via mobile reply actions
Maybe Berry will be so good we can play a 3-5 defense.
That way both DJ and DW can start.
Left Tackle is Brandon Albert's natural position.
agreed, I expect a lot of 3-3-5
Team Pioli/Haley
I thought that I'd just chime in so that all Chiefs are present...Idaho...SD..and not Pacific :)
Opinions are like A--holes, everyones got one.
by aPacificChief on May 23, 2010 6:59 PM CDT up reply actions
I hope that is true and not just an excuse.
We really need some improvement at that position. If it only amounts to DW healing up, that would be nice.
Left Tackle is Brandon Albert's natural position.
Excuses Excuses
I know that you're afraid... you're afraid of us. You're afraid of change. I don't know the future. I didn't come here to tell you how this is going to end. I came here to tell you how it's going to begin.
Why would that be an excuse
I could see you saying that if he was maybe saying that throughout the season or when asked whys he not playin the way he does. This is a tough dude I can’t wait to see him being used by a good coach this time around!
Why do you give this guy so much credit??
If anything, he’s a mediocre ass linebacker. Nothing special.
I know that you're afraid... you're afraid of us. You're afraid of change. I don't know the future. I didn't come here to tell you how this is going to end. I came here to tell you how it's going to begin.
What does that make DJ then
I’m comparing him to his competition on the Chiefs, not the rest of the league. I give him credit for the fact that he at least played his ass off every game for us and not Mr. Dow Jones who wants to show up whenever the hell he feels like.
Will there be an investigation?
Or because it’s from a player that wouldn’t be a starter on any other team, it’s not big enough news.
Remember when Favre told the media he was injured during his time with the Jets? There was an investigation and the team and HC were fined.
by bringbacktheglory on May 23, 2010 9:26 AM CDT reply actions
No nothing will ever come of it
I just found it interesting.
by Joel Thorman on May 23, 2010 9:35 AM CDT up reply actions
But favre also told the media that the jets knew of his injury
i doubt williams will do the same, he can say i played injured but not the team knew i played injured. Favre threw the jets under the bus because he wasn’t there anymore Williams still wants to be a chief so he will keep it zipped
I cant wait to see the NEW ARROWHEAD !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Chiefs will be competing for a division title in 2010
Is there really even a reason to compare D. Williams and D. Johnson?
Everyone talks about D. Johnson’s stats in a “limited role” compared to D. Williams in a a starting role, but D. Johnson’s stats need to be really analyized before making that comparison.
Out of DJs important stats as an ILB, he had 16% of his 37 tackles, and 66% of his 3 INTs in one game (Denver, week 17)! This has been DJ to a tee EVERY year of his career; he has one very good game, and maddening inconsistency for the majority of the rest of his games. His talents are best used as a cover LB in nickel packages or obvious passing downs. He’s a one down LB at best, and I for one am very happy he took a back seat to an ILB that made 100+ tackles last season in D. Williams
Sadder to look at Williams' stats.
Made a lot of tackles but no plays. 0, 0, and 0. INTs, FFs, and Sacks. DJ out did him in all three areas playing a whole lot less.
"You can't be fat and fast too; so lift, run, diet, and work." ~ Hank Stram
by citadelchief on May 23, 2010 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions
Doesn't matter where he was drafted.
If the guy is going to be our starter he needs to make plays. 100+ tackles looks great on paper, but looks terrible on the field when a majority are after a 5-6 yard pick up.
"You can't be fat and fast too; so lift, run, diet, and work." ~ Hank Stram
by citadelchief on May 23, 2010 12:39 PM CDT up reply actions
After a 5-6 yard pick up?
He’s 5 or 6 yards past the line of scrimmage by the time the running back gets to his level. 100 tackles shows he can at least find the ball on a consistent basis.
That's where he before the ball is snapped.
He has to be able to attack the line and stop the running back. He should be able to read the play, attack, and meet the RB at 2-3 yards past the line. That is what is expected of a starting ILB in the 3-4 system.
"You can't be fat and fast too; so lift, run, diet, and work." ~ Hank Stram
by citadelchief on May 23, 2010 12:46 PM CDT up reply actions
we just started the 3-4 last year
with an idiot running the system. To have 100 tackles that obviously shows that he is attacking the line. There are DL in front of them that have to do their job as well. And it does matter how we aquire someone, like a top 15 in the entire draft compared to a 5 year/16 mil deal. DJ probably got all that in a signing bonus. Im not saying D-Williams should be one of our core guys, but putting his play on the field compared to DJ showing up as much as a menstrual cycle, it is sad.
So Williams get's the 3-4 excuse and DJ doesn't?
Johnson was in the top 5 in tackling for the Chiefs every season until last year. He’s constantly near the top of the list in FFs. 100 tackles doesn’t show that he was attacking the line because teams constantly ran up the middle on us. They didn’t fear us at NT and they didn’t fear us at ILB. We gave up 4.7 ypa last season. That’s ridiculous. Clearly we did not attack the line. Out of 18 takeaways last season, Williams and Mays accounted for 0. Starters cannot do that. They have to cause turnovers. They have to make plays.
"You can't be fat and fast too; so lift, run, diet, and work." ~ Hank Stram
by citadelchief on May 23, 2010 1:06 PM CDT up reply actions
Who's said I gave Williams an excuse?
DJ had 3 takeaways, 2 in the last game 1 in the first game. You think Pioli and Haley are just gonna keep a guy on the bench if they think he was the better option at that position? For a top 15 pick at LB he better be at the top of every KC defensive list, but he’s not. Don’t believe the stats thats fine, but Williams played harder and more consistant than DJ so therefore Williams would obviously play more
But you're not believing the stats either.
DJ’s takeaways may have come in the first and last game, but where did Williams’ come? They didn’t.
"You can't be fat and fast too; so lift, run, diet, and work." ~ Hank Stram
by citadelchief on May 23, 2010 1:26 PM CDT up reply actions
Sorry. Williams must be terrible then DJ should obviously start
DJ had as many INT’s last year as he did the previous 4 years.
That's not what I'm saying.
I’m saying Williams hasn’t earned a starting position either. To say Williams deserves to start and DJ doesn’t is ridiculous. Neither guy has shown the ability to be a starting 3-4 ILB. I want Williams to get the same scrutiny that Johnson does.
"You can't be fat and fast too; so lift, run, diet, and work." ~ Hank Stram
by citadelchief on May 23, 2010 1:32 PM CDT up reply actions
This is what I'm saying
Williams earned enough to start over DJ. Period. And should continue to unless DJ puts a little pep in his step
It should be a wide open competition.
Neither guy has shown that he is a starting caliber NFL ILB. Period. On any other 3-4 defense, this isn’t even a question. Williams wouldn’t start. He shouldn’t just get a free pass.
"You can't be fat and fast too; so lift, run, diet, and work." ~ Hank Stram
by citadelchief on May 23, 2010 1:37 PM CDT up reply actions
Again w this free pass
I don’t get where your getting that from, I never said anything about a free pass. It should be open I’m down w you on that, but I just think it’s Williams job to lose. I don’t hate DJ It’s just kinda like how I’m getting w D-Bowe(on the field not off). Just gettin to that point where it’s like damn when is it gonna click.
But even there.
It shouldn’t be his job to lose either. Right now it should be no one’s job. Neither guy proved himself last year. Williams may have shown heart and determination to get the starting role, but he didn’t do anything with that role. Last season was an embarrassment for the Chiefs at ILB. So how can any of those guys be a front runner for the job?
"You can't be fat and fast too; so lift, run, diet, and work." ~ Hank Stram
by citadelchief on May 23, 2010 1:56 PM CDT up reply actions
So clarification...
you are saying that we were ran on badly up the middle last year b/c defenses didn’t fear our NT and ILBs, but if DJ was in, they would have feared at least our ILB and we wouldn’t have given up 4.7 ypa?
I'm saying
That Williams hasn’t earned this free pass people are giving him. Everyone is already writing off Johnson and saying Williams should get the start. I’m saying WHY? He didn’t play well either.
"You can't be fat and fast too; so lift, run, diet, and work." ~ Hank Stram
by citadelchief on May 23, 2010 1:30 PM CDT up reply actions
Free pass?
DJ is a yo-yo player while DM is consistent. Go fig…
Other Arenas wish they could be like Arrowhead Stadium as it prepares to turn a new Page on Chiefs legacy. Rivals think they are going to be fine on a island of Flowers, but when they get hit by what feels like a Carr, they'll never be able to eat a Berry ever again.
Consistent?
Go look at his career numbers. Not consistent at all.
"You can't be fat and fast too; so lift, run, diet, and work." ~ Hank Stram
by citadelchief on May 23, 2010 1:51 PM CDT up reply actions
they're both inconsistent then. cut them both
Other Arenas wish they could be like Arrowhead Stadium as it prepares to turn a new Page on Chiefs legacy. Rivals think they are going to be fine on a island of Flowers, but when they get hit by what feels like a Carr, they'll never be able to eat a Berry ever again.
Start 'em both; it works on Madden 10. heh heh
But that god awful ,slow ,and short SS kills me.
by BuoyWonder77 on May 23, 2010 6:45 PM CDT up reply actions
Dem. Williams' free pass
Williams gets the “pass” from me b/c it’s clear he wanted to work hard in practice and do what was expected of him, not unlike Tedy Bruschi did in his career. The d-linemen have more of an affect on the success of the LBs than the talent level of the LB himself, especially in the 3-4. So if Williams is making the tackles 4 or 5 yards downfield, then it would be safe to say that any ILB for us would have made the tackle 4 or 5 yards downfield last year, regardless of talent.
Not that you are giving DJ the “free pass” b/c of him being a playmaker, but I would hope you would look at the actual plays that he made, specifically the INTs and cede that DJ belongs in nickel/coverage sets more than he does as an every down LB, which is what I’m saying.
It has to be a competition.
Great, Williams worked his tale off and got the starting job. That doesn’t change the fact that he didn’t produce the way he should have. And I won’t say DJ should be the starter either. I’m saying they have to compete for it. Last year can’t have ANY bearing on this year because both players were disappointing.
"You can't be fat and fast too; so lift, run, diet, and work." ~ Hank Stram
by citadelchief on May 23, 2010 1:54 PM CDT up reply actions
Agreed
I can see the competition angle, for sure, but what concerns me the most from DJ is his comments about starting and whatnot. I understand that the context of his comments cannot be known, but the words “I want to start, whether it’s with the Chiefs or not. I love the Chiefs, but I love starting more” is pretty clear. It could be taken that he’s saying he is ready to work to get that starting position, but when he adds that he wants to start over being on the team and helping his teammates, it just paints the picture that he’s not taking responsibility for his own play, that he won’t do anything differently than he did last year that allowed D. Williams to start over him the majority of last season.
Maybe I’m wrong, but that’s what I gather from his offseason comments
I do think the context is misunderstood.
My personal belief is that DJ feels if he can’t do enough to earn the start this year then he will want to go to a 4-3 team. He is a 4-3 MLB. That’s what he was drafted to be. That’s what he knows how to be. He was consistently at the top of Chiefs defensive stats until last year (the 4th coincidentally is supposed to be the year a player finds himself). I don’t think this is him whining, I think it’s him looking at a very hard truth. Not every LB can play the 3-4.
"You can't be fat and fast too; so lift, run, diet, and work." ~ Hank Stram
by citadelchief on May 23, 2010 2:16 PM CDT up reply actions
Excuse me,
4-3 OLB
"You can't be fat and fast too; so lift, run, diet, and work." ~ Hank Stram
by citadelchief on May 23, 2010 2:18 PM CDT up reply actions
Fair enough
If DJ is unwilling or unable to change his game enough to start in the position the team needs him in, then it would benefit both DJ and the team to move on from each other
Moot point anyway, IMO
I believe that if you are right in that he would rather play in a 4-3, then he won’t be back next season anyway, considering he’ll be an unrestricted free agent, so I would give about a 75% chance he signs somewhere else next season
That's what I think this training camp is about for him.
He wants to be a Chief. And if he can make the transition this year to the 3-4 then he will stay a Chief. If not, then he has to do what’s right for him and his career.
"You can't be fat and fast too; so lift, run, diet, and work." ~ Hank Stram
by citadelchief on May 23, 2010 2:56 PM CDT up reply actions
100 tackles doesn't mean shit...
If I start 16 games at ILB I’d get 100 tackles. Most worthless stat ever.
Don't Fuccop Succop
by chicks_love_chiefs on May 23, 2010 12:56 PM CDT up reply actions
according to you
It shows the people that show up and at least bust their ass on sundays compared to the people just collecting a paycheck. Your not getting 100 tackles just because you play every game, thats like sayin you can go in a game right now and catch a pass, go ahead.
Just saying anyone the starts 16 games at ILB in the 3-4 is going to get close to 100 tackles regardless of their talent level
It’s where those tackles are made that really matters.
Don't Fuccop Succop
by chicks_love_chiefs on May 23, 2010 1:46 PM CDT up reply actions
At least Williams makes em
I don’t want a guy on the field only interested once in awhile. I’m sure Haley and Pioli know what they’re doing.
dj also played more snaps than people realize, and I agree with you(so does the staff) that DJ is best suited for the nickel set
Team Pioli/Haley
DJ was only a passing down specialist
a glorified safety … they couldn’t put him in on running downs because he sucked too much.
by Home skillet on May 23, 2010 11:37 AM CDT up reply actions
So an injured Williams > healthy Johnson?
TWSS
Don't Fuccop Succop
by chicks_love_chiefs on May 23, 2010 9:57 AM CDT reply actions
I used to speculate that DJ's nicks made it hard for him to get back on the field.
It now appears that the difference was primarily mental.
more freakin excuses
what was the reason for him sucking the year before?
He seems
To be lacking the elite competitive nature that most great players have .
I also understand it is difficult to go 100% when you win only two games .
He hasn’t exactly been in a great situation .
However, dude is being payed millions of dollars . I would fly around with reckless abandon for a portion of his annual salary . Just saying .
He also seems like a great guy . He hasn’t been running his mouth , complaining , or causing distractions . I hope the light comes on this season; I really do .
or
simply take a pay cut to be a specialist
by BuoyWonder77 on May 23, 2010 12:30 PM CDT up reply actions
still need a killer MLBer
to bad we couldn`t trade dj and williams for a top dog MLBer.
I know I'm in the minority
but I think Crennel will be able to find some combination of Hali, Vrabel, DJ, Williams, Mays, Belcher, Studebaker, and Sheffield to get the job done. LB won’t be the strength of the team but really believe there is enough talent there for Crennel to get the job done.
"There is no charge for awesomeness" - Kung Fu Panda
Yep
I see that the LB coach is still here. Gary Gibbs will be able to scheme this mishmash of LB’s into something better under Crennel than what we saw last year under Pendergast.
Rule 49. " Think and talk positive football off the field." Hank Stram
by Steve_Chiefs on May 23, 2010 7:55 PM CDT up reply actions
it's a conundrum
If DJ stays healthy , he has to have a great year if he wants to continue to get paid like a star.
If he has a great year, is it for the money, or is it because of the improvements elsewhere on the team? Does one great year deserve a truckload of money?
If he isn’t starting come week 1 ;we’d be better off trading him before the deadline, because
he won’t be coming back(IMO) . I’m hoping for a great year out of him. We need it .
Romeo will probaly
use a rotation of LBs, the top contributers will get the most ticks…I don’t understand all the dirt being kicked on Demario William’s name. LBs stats really reflect just how well/poorly the d-line is playing.
by ill_spec on May 23, 2010 7:47 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
Yeah Demorrio Williams was the Guy stuck with the mess
That was created by Edwards and Mays.
Maybe part of the mess rests with Pioli who saw the writing on the wall and traded our starting NT for a 2010 draft pick leaving Edwards with nada to help him for weeks on end.
I know that Pioli’s decision was based on where the team was heading and that Tank wasn’t the answer either, but a NT rotation of ONE is dumb. Only the ARMY can be an Army of ONE:)
Rule 49. " Think and talk positive football off the field." Hank Stram
by Steve_Chiefs on May 23, 2010 7:59 PM CDT up reply actions
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