Demorrio Williams: Our Average Linebacker

I think he’s terrible. He can’t cover. He’s meh against the run. He can’t shed blockers, he can’t pass rush and he’s just too tiny. He size would be acceptable if he was rangy and could cover, but now that
I bring that up, who has those attributes? That would be DJ. DJ gables and over commits at times so he’ll wind out of place. when he’s right though, he makes big playes. I’ll take one INT over 20 textbook tackles any day. Williams is one of the few players i’m actively hoping won’t make the team. Belcher played like a guy with something to prove. let him prove it

The only reason Demorrio made so many tackles last season is that everyone around him played the game like little girls. But that’s also a good reason to keep him around. I’m sure Crennel will have a use for him.

The key is DJ. He has to show something this year. Of course it’s not easy for a 4-3 OLB to make the move to ILB in the 3-4. It could be that he simply can’t be effective in our defensive scheme. This is the year to find out though. He’s in a contract year which means it has to be a big one for him if he wants to further his career. So I, for one, am excited to see what he has to offer this year. He does tend to get out of position and miss tackles though. Demorrio on the other hand is a sure tackler and plays with discipline. But you could argue he plays with too much discipline and no instinct. This is why he doesn’t make plays. It’s hard for me to fathom that in 117 tackles the ball couldn’t be forced out even once.

A lot has been made of DJ and Williams competing with each other this year. But I wonder if they couldn’t both be on the field. I would like to see a combination of the two on the field. Maximize DJ’s instinct and playmaking ability with Williams’ discipline and sure tackling.

Of course, we should all probably realize that Romeo Crennel is light years ahead of us when it comes to running the 3-4. I believe that DJ still being in a Chiefs uniform is a vote of confidence from the DC and the rest of the KC brass. If they didn’t have faith in him to some degree, Johnson would already be gone. They can’t get near as much for him after next year as they could have now.

I think we’re trying to make a backup LB seem like a starting LB (Square Peg vs Round Hole). He was not much which is why he came to KC in the 1st place (no thanks to Herm) and he’s been on the team since trying to leave an impression. Well, if you ask me, that impression is that he’s exactly what this post title states… Average.

39 players in the NFL had 100 or more tackles last season. Of that number, only 9 failed to force a fumble. Less than 25%. Of those 9, Williams is the only one that doesn’t have an INT or sack to his credit either.

Then I think he will be better this year. I don’t hate DJ but would’ve rather had “average” out there last year than Dow Jones out there! Maybe this is the offseason it clicks for DJ and god I hope so, but I think DJ is just average as well(as of late)

Johnson 6’3 242 27 years old – obviously the most talented of this bunch
Williams 6’1 232 29 years old – The surest on being in the right position (scheme)
Belcher 6’2 228 22 years old – The most upside on the Chiefs ILB roster
Mays 6’1 245 26 years old – run stuffer with size, only run-stuffer with size on the roster
Greenwood 6’2 235 23 years old – Solid prospect, supposed good cover and run-stuffer
Herron 6’1 239 – Bouncing around on the Chiefs roster

I can see the meat-puzzle that Pendergast saw last year. Maybe the players in Rush/Pass platooning was the best we could do last year. Unless Williams or Johnson ever start taking on blockers for the benefit of their teammates I don’t see both on the field in any obvious run situations. Say 1st down :(