Re: Williams Not Feelin' Too Secure (NY Post) http://www.nypost.com/sports/giants/52767.htm<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>September 1, 2005 -- GIANT NOTES FOXBORO ? The final cut-down day in the NFL is a time for high anxiety for many players but never created that emotion for Shaun Williams, the Giants safety who was the team's first-round draft pick in 1998 and a mainstay ever since. There's no great expectation that Williams is in danger come Sunday, when the Giants will get down to the 53-player limit with their final round of cuts. But having lost his starting job and given little assurances by the coaching staff, Williams takes nothing for granted. "It's still up to the coaches," Williams said. "You really don't get a good feeling unless you're starting. We'll see what happens." Could tonight's preseason finale against the Patriots at Gillette Stadium be Williams' last in a Giants uniform? Doubtful. Gibril Wilson is locked in as one starting safety and the battle for the other starting spot between Williams and another veteran, Brent Alexander, never materialized. Williams, coming off his second knee surgery in as many years, never received any work with the first team and tonight again will play with the reserves. * Co-owner Wellington Mara, having recently completed radiation treatment for cancer, did not attend yesterday's annual kickoff luncheon at the New York Hilton. The other co-owner, Bob Tisch ? who has battled brain cancer ? did attend. Tiki Barber led the 1,000 in attendance in singing "Happy Birthday" to Tom Coughlin, who yesterday turned 59. QB Eli Manning (elbow), CB Will Peterson (knee) and G Lewis Kelly (eye) will not play tonight. Others listed as questionable in addition to Williams are RT Kareem McKenzie (calf) and RB Ryan Grant (ankle). Barber was named the team MVP and offensive player of the year at the luncheon. DE Osi Umenyiora was named defensive player of the year and WR David Tyree was honored for his work on special teams. Manning was named rookie of the year. "I think the other award winners will agree with me that these honors are great, but without team success, there really isn't anything to be truly happy about," Barber said as he accepted his awards.</div>
Re: Williams Not Feelin' Too Secure (NY Post) I don't think he should be starting, and his job isn't secure. Giants Safeties, last season:Gibril Wilson: 8 games, 56 tackles, 3 interceptions, 3 sacks... in just half a season.Shaun Williams: 2 games, 10 tackles....Brent Alexander: 16 games, 80 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries.You can see why he's not starting anymore.
Re: Williams Not Feelin' Too Secure (NY Post) Because he's been injured?I'd rather have Shaun Williams on the field than Brent Alexander. His hard hitting and his playmaker ability makes him the better option. Don't get me wrong, Brent did great last season, but Williams is just more talented, and the better player, when healthy.
Re: Williams Not Feelin' Too Secure (NY Post) I didn't say it was because he wasn't healthy. It was more because Wilson and Alexander did great last season. And Williams doesn't play Alexanders position. Williams is behind Gibril on the depth chart. He'll probably still be on the team. But he'll most likely be a backup, unless somebody gets injured besides him.
Re: Williams Not Feelin' Too Secure (NY Post) <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Ward86 @ Sep 2 2005, 09:22 AM)</div><div class='quotemain'>I didn't say it was because he wasn't healthy. It was more because Wilson and Alexander did great last season. And Williams doesn't play Alexanders position. Williams is behind Gibril on the depth chart. He'll probably still be on the team. But he'll most likely be a backup, unless somebody gets injured besides him.</div> Williams played free safety his first 4 years in New York when Sam Garnes was the Strong Safety, and he's been taking reps at both strong and free safety this pre-season. Yeah Alexander played great last season but that doesn't mean Williams isn't the better player and that doesnt mean Williams doesn't give us a better chance to win when he's out there.Eitherway, there's most likely going to be a rotation, and I wont be suprised to see all 3 of them out there in passing situations. Coughlin likes to blitz his safeties, one of them will probably play a little dimeback this season.
