Arizona Cardinals Training Camp Battles: Dan Williams vs Bryan Robinson
by Andrew602 on Jul 13, 2010 11:27 AM MDT
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One thing that has been beaten into our heads the last three years is that rookies earn starting time on this team, regardless which round they were drafted in. Dan Williams will find this out soon, especially when training camp opens. Obviously the Cardinals didn't draft Williams to ride the bench in 2010. They drafted him to learn and develop, which is why they also re-signed veteran Bryan Robinson. Robinson will teach Williams everything he can and expects the rookie to take his job in the near future. It's only a matter of time.
Dan Williams vs Bryan Robinson
Size: Williams - Seeing how the Cardinals run the 3-4 defense, this one is a no-brain-er to me. Williams' frame is built with a low center of gravity and he has massive tree-trunks for legs. He possesses the perfect size to man the middle of the defensive line in a 3-4. Robinson lacks the size to draw double teams.
Speed: Williams - One of Williams' strong suits coming out of college was his speed. He doesn't quit and will pursue the ball carrier well beyond the line of scrimmage. Robinson's speed has dwindled over the years.
Athleticism: Williams - Again, with his ability to explode out of his stance and draw double teams, Williams wins the athleticism battle. If I had to, I'd compare Williams to a monster truck and Robinson to a cement truck - very different athletes.
Potential: Williams - There really isn't an argument here - Williams has only scratched the surface after he exploded onto the scene during his final year of college. Bryan Robinson may be entering his final year in the league and is well beyond his glory days.
Leadership/Experience: Robinson - Although he's losing the battle, Robinson may win the war. Leadership and experience can be considered the most important category, and I believe it also counts towards football smarts on the field. A good leader understands the game and believes in the team-first mantra. Williams just hasn't experienced enough football yet in his career obviously.
Williams is expected to take over the starting job at some point in 2010, but can he pull the upset and start right out of the gate? I'll leave the question up to you.
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I think Bryan Robinson will start the season as the starter but...
Dan Williams will eventually take over. Whiz has generally liked to bring his rookies along slowly. Heck, even Beanie Wells is still having to battle for that starting spot.
True true
But I think Hightower is a more valuable starter then Bryan Robinson. It’s more pivotal to start Williams, especially if he’s playing at a high level.
What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds
I wonder if
The situation at NT will turn out the same as our RB situation. Hightower/Robinson starts but Wells/Williams will see more downs.
Im excited to see his play in preseason.
"Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it's much more serious than that." - Bill Shankly
by Jesse Reynolds on Jul 13, 2010 1:27 PM MDT via mobile reply actions
See my comment below
What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds
Does it matter who "starts"
Robinson could potentially play the first series and then come out for the rest of the game and be considered the “starter”… Really, the question should be, who plays more downs? Who will be more effective? The article goes over those questions, but then the poll asks who will start the game. Typically the starter would play more downs, but I don’t think that will be the case this year. Experience and leadership are important when you get out on the field at the start of the game, which is typically full of excitement and nerves, but once the game settles in and the players come into their own, usually by the end of the first drive, then the more talented and athletic player should play. Is a defense ever scripted for the first few drives like an offense? I don’t see how they could, but its something I’ve always wondered. That would come into play as well if they did…
I know that it comes down to who may play more downs
But the purpose of this segment is to discuss who will win the battle in training camp. Just because Beanie couldn’t beat Hightower last season, doesn’t mean Williams won’t be able to. Beanie was injured though most of camp and was competing with a 2nd year back in Hightower.
Robinson is well past his prime and nearly didn’t come back this year. Who’s to say that he’s such a lock to win the battle in camp?
What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds
It's not so much that he's a lock
but w/o having seen Williams in a 3-4 it’s hard to know how he’s progressing. Granted, we’re hearing nothing but great things about his work ethic, potential, etc., but with rookies it’s very seldom a sure thing.
Having said that, like everyone else I’m anxious to see him in live action to see how he’s doing. To make a prediction, I’ll say that Robinson starts the season but expect Williams to see significant playing time early on before taking the starting job around mid-late season.
I think Williams will start at some point this season
I just don’t think it will be in game 1. Whiz has a history that we all know of to bring these rookies along slowly, and let them develop into the role that makes the most sense. I think we’ll see the same thing here.
We all bleed Cardinal Red, but most of us don't recognize it!
One of the things I can't wait to see in the Preseason is how Dan Williams looks.
Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan [I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].
I can't stand fair-weather/bandwagon fans, stick with your team, throughout the good and the bad. And don't switch to whichever team wins the Super Bowl each year.
+1
Seriously can’t wait. For me its the entire team. We’ve been talking and talking about them and now were about a month away from the first preseason game.
What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
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Are you guys allowed to film training camp? I’m assuming not.
Its a shame i miss out on things like this living in Canada :(
Fan of :
Toronto Raptors
Arizona Cardinal
Kansas Jayhawks
I don't know
I think they let you take pictures, but I’m not sure about video.
Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan [I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].
I can't stand fair-weather/bandwagon fans, stick with your team, throughout the good and the bad. And don't switch to whichever team wins the Super Bowl each year.
I think my comment came off different than I was intending...
Basically- my comment was geared towards figuring out if it could be considered a win fro Williams out of training camp if he plays a good chunk of downs even if they stick with Robinson as the starter. Like I said, I think Williams could come in after the first drive and everything settles, so Robinson can fill-in at the start to basically calm the nerves. Would anyone consider Robinson the winner if this scenario were to occur? Obviously Williams would need to learn to play under pressure, but early in the season I could see him just rotating in simply due to his experience level at this point. As far as Beanie goes, Hightower was considered the “starter”, but I felt the two were pretty even and there didn’t seem to be a clear favorite since they both excel at situations they other may not…
I understand what you are saying
“Starter” doesn’t mean much in some situations. I just can picture the Cardinals play Robinson as much as Hightower. Frankly, I only expect Robinson to play in limited action and Williams to take over full time at some point. If that’s in camp, great.
What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
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Cause he SUCKS!!!
Life's too short. Be a fan. Orlando Magic, Arizona Cardinals,Tampa Bay Rays and of course "the U"! What a winning combo.
Mount Cody
I’m missing the pre-draft Mount Cody debates. Those were epic.
Sorry, got distracted …. Without doubt Williams will come out the “winner” but will be sharing downs with Robinson for a while. I’m with Joe and Andrew, I cannot wait to watch our d-line develop. I can’t see how it won’t be one of the best in the league with DD, CC and the Plug. I just shake my head in awe everytime I think about it.
"The true test of a person's intellligence is how much they agree with you."
Pre-draft.
I was pre-draft last year when he was a junior. Guess he wasn’t meant to be. But I’m glad we got the Plug.
Life's too short. Be a fan. Orlando Magic, Arizona Cardinals,Tampa Bay Rays and of course "the U"! What a winning combo.
I'll def be watching a Ravens game to see how Cody plays
With a guy that massive it is very interesting.
What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds
Same
Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan [I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].
I can't stand fair-weather/bandwagon fans, stick with your team, throughout the good and the bad. And don't switch to whichever team wins the Super Bowl each year.
And Q of course
What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds
I don't think robinson is a legit option any longer
Williams should be getting the majoritty of the playing time early on
Anyone think Gabe Watson can get it together this year?
Lifelong Arizona Cardinals/Chicago Bears fan [I have always lived in Arizona, dad is from Chicago].
I can't stand fair-weather/bandwagon fans, stick with your team, throughout the good and the bad. And don't switch to whichever team wins the Super Bowl each year.
I would hope so
We’d have the nose tackle position locked up for years.
What? I didn't break it, I was just testing its durability, and then I placed it in the woods becuase it's made out of wood and I just thought he should be with his family.
Revenge of the Birds
I'm hoping for
Robinson to start the season with Williams playing the majority of downs right from the get-go. 5-6 games in Williams takes over as starter with Robinson backing him up. Then games 13-Super Bowl! Watson being the primary back-up for Williams and Robinson can graciously fade into retirement knowing he helped establish one of the most dominate D-lines in the NFL for years to come.
GO CARDINALS!!!
by cardsfanforlife24 on Jul 14, 2010 9:56 PM MDT reply actions
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