MacMahon: Dallas considering signing Ryan Williams

boozeman

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Dallas considering signing Ryan Williams

May, 17, 2014



By Tim MacMahon | ESPNDallas.com


IRVING, Texas -- Former Arizona Cardinals running back Ryan Williams was impressive enough in his workout Saturday morning at Valley Ranch that the Dallas Cowboys are considering signing him, two sources said.


“I’m hoping ‘great’ means I can be here,” Williams said of the feedback he got from Cowboys front office personnel and coaches after his workout. “If not, then I’ll keep moving forward, but I’m really hoping it’s here.”

The Cowboys have 90 players on their roster, so they would have to cut somebody to make room for Williams, the 38th overall pick in the 2011 draft who was released by the Cardinals this week. His tenure in Arizona was marred by injuries, limiting him to five games in three seasons.

He missed his entire rookie season after rupturing the patella tendon in his right knee during a preseason game, causing his knee cap to slide into his thigh. He gained 164 yards on 58 carries in 2012 before a shoulder injury ended his season. Williams did not play last season, rehabbing his knee, which he says is finally back to 100 percent.

“I’ve worked my tail off to get to this point,” Williams said. “It was a rocky road, but I got it done. Regardless of how anybody sees my career going, it was beneficial for me not to play last year and the other year I got hurt with my shoulder. It just gives my knee more time. This isn’t an easy injury to come back from at all. It worked for me.”

Williams realized he’ll be remembered as a bust in Arizona. He’s determined to realize his potential at his next NFL stop.

“Every ounce of blood in my body, man, every inch of skin,” Williams said. “I want to come in this game and leave it with a legacy. Not a legacy of being hurt – a legacy of being a guy you can talk about for years to come as far as being one of your favorite running backs.”
 

Simpleton

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He was a really good prospect coming out of VT, if he's actually healthy this would be a pretty impressive signing.
 

Rev

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Another running back to not use. Brilliant.
 

Rev

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A Blocking sled would get more use.
 

boozeman

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boozeman

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E_D_Guapo

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He was a really good prospect coming out of VT, if he's actually healthy this would be a pretty impressive signing.
I'm always in favor of taking a shot on guys who were highly regarded prospects that flamed out, but are still young. Usually doesn't pan out but always worth a look, IMO. I like that they've signed Williams and Okoye to give them that look.
 

Cotton

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It must be pretty much official. A bunch of Dallas beat writers just followed him on Twitter.
 

jsmith6919

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Guess it's official now
 

Carp

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Nice of him to refer to Jerry with such reverence.
 

Carp

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Imm be real for a second...not sure I like the lilsweetness Twitter handle.
 

boozeman

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Cowboys Add RB Depth By Signing Vet Ryan Williams

Posted 0 minute ago



Nick Eatman

DallasCowboys.com Staff Writer

IRVING, Texas – This weekend is supposed to be about the evaluation of rookies and first-year players and how they might fit into the roster.

However, the Cowboys always keep their eyes open for available veterans as well. That was evident Saturday when the club worked out and running back Ryan Williams, a second-round pick of the Cardinals in 2011. While the club made no official announcement Saturday, Williams sent out a tweet stating he signed and will be a member of the Cowboys.

In the past three seasons, injuries have more than plagued Williams, the 38th overall pick out of Virginia Tech. Williams has just 58 career rushing attempts for 165 yards in just five games.

He missed his entire rookie season in 2011 when he tore his patella tendon in a preseason game. He then missed most of 2012 with a shoulder injury and didn’t play in any of Arizona’s games last season. The Cardinals cut Williams last Monday after three disappointing seasons.

“I’ve just had bad luck,” Williams said. “Things happen. I believe everything happens for a reason. I’m here to prove that I can be a running back that can come back from these injuries. It’s tough when you’re constantly reminded about it. When you’re constantly doubted about it. I believe in my own abilities. When I’m healthy, there’s no one who can tell what I can’t do.”




In between practices Saturday afternoon at Valley Ranch, Williams had a workout with running backs coach Gary Brown, witnessed by more than a dozen scouts and coaches, along with head coach Jason Garrett and director of player personnel Stephen Jones.

“It was an impressive workout, he did a nice job,” Garrett said Saturday afternoon. “We thought a lot of him coming out of school. He’s had some injuries in Arizona and hasn’t played as much as I think they probably thought he would, but he’s certainly an impressive guy. What we saw on tape when he was playing was some pretty good stuff, even though they numbers didn’t back that up. You saw that kind of movement today in the workout.”

When signed, the Cowboys will have to trim a player from the 90-man roster and it could very well be a running back. Behind DeMarco Murray, Joseph Randle and Lance Dunbar, the Cowboys added undrafted rookies Ben Malena (Texas A&M) and Glasco Martin (Baylor) as rookie free agents.
The Cowboys also had two running backs – Josh Harris from Wake Forest and Jyruss Edwards of Louisiana-Monroe – in camp for a tryout. Those players do not count on the current roster.
 

boozeman

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If we carry four backs as we typically do, I hope this guy pushes Randle off the roster. I like Malena and Dunbar has the speed element.
 
D

Deuce

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I like it. We weren't able to come out of the draft with a young player so might as well take a flyer on one. He's better than Dunbar and Randle put together if healthy.
 

boozeman

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I like it. We weren't able to come out of the draft with a young player so might as well take a flyer on one. He's better than Dunbar and Randle put together if healthy.
Definitely better than Randle even on one leg.
 

Carp

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I'm always in favor of taking a shot on guys who were highly regarded prospects that flamed out, but are still young. Usually doesn't pan out but always worth a look, IMO. I like that they've signed Williams and Okoye to give them that look.
We've had luck before...Columbo, Selvie, Robinson...no lose situation.
 

Cotton

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Walter Payton tribute I believe. He has a Payton tattoo as well.
How the hell could you possibly know that? You really should go outside more often.
 
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