Cowboys rookie shows growth in return despite another move
Connor Williams is glad to be back on the field.
But even more importantly, he was glad to be back helping the Dallas Cowboys after an injury six weeks ago knocked him from the starting lineup.
The offensive lineman replaced Zack Martin at right guard in the third quarter when Martin re-injured his knee. After Williams was injured against the Titans on Nov. 5, his left guard spot was taken over by veteran Xavier Su’a-Filo. Williams has played three combined snaps during the Cowboys’ win streak before replacing Martin for the last 34 plays in the overtime win against the Eagles.
“It was definitely good to be back when the team needed me,” Williams said. “That’s part of my job, to be ready as a backup.”
But move from the left side to the right isn’t trickier than it looks. The angles and foot work that have been ingrained with constant repetitions since training camp are suddenly different.
“The most difficult part about it is your stance,” Center Joe Looney said. “We’re running the same plays, so you’ve just kind of got to flip it in your mind. I think he’ll do a great job. Obviously he did a great job against a good front in the Eagles.”
Williams, who played left tackle at the University of Texas needed a few snaps to get used to being to the right of Looney.
“I’d never played on the right side before so it definitely took a play or two,” he said. “But at the end of the day it’s the O-line. Definitely a lot of things I can improve on and need to get better at and I’ll be working on those.”
The Cowboys are hoping Martin, who first sprained the MCL in his left knee, has been nursing the same injury in his right knee for over a month. Martin hasn’t missed a start in his five-year career. Cowboys’ owner and general manager said Tuesday on KRLD/105.3 The Fan that giving Martin a week off would be great but with the NFC East title on the line, might not be wise.
“ On the other hand, every snap is critical to us right now,” Jones said. “So, we’ll just have to see how he’s doing at the end of the week.”
Williams will be ready, no matter which side of the line it is.
“I’m just bringing it every day, whatever position I’ve been in. My loyalties are to the Cowboys and will do everything I can to help them. Whether it’s on scout team, whether it’s as a backup and learning my role and [playing] that [position]. Right now, it’s just day by day and I’m trying to get better at where they need me.”
After some growing pains, Williams, who was taken in the second round of the NFL draft, is showing some growth.
“Connor’s a rookie, but he’s really turning into a professional,” Looney said. “He knows what it takes in this league to win games and he stepped in and did a great job.”