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Roy Williams: Why I didn't put up big numbers with Cowboys
Roy Williams praises Martz, Bears' O
By Jeff Dickerson
ESPNChicago.com
Archive
BOURBONNAIS, Il. -- Roy Williams is wearing a Bears practice jersey because of Mike Martz. That fact became obvious during the receiver's first meeting with the Chicago media following the Bears first training camp practice.
"To be back with Martz, and [Bears receivers] coach [Darryl] Drake, you know, it's a blessing for me," Williams said Saturday. "To go to a system that I already know, that I had success in. It was a pretty easy decision."
ESPNChicago.com Bears blog
Williams enjoyed his two most productive NFL campaigns with Martz in Detroit from 2006-07. Over the course of those two years, he caught a combined 146 passes for 2,148 yards and 12 touchdowns. However, the receiver's numbers dipped after being dealt to the Dallas Cowboys in 2008, where he managed only 37 and 38 receptions during the past two seasons respectively.
Williams offered up a simple explanation for why he failed to put up big numbers with the Cowboys.
"Martz wasn't there," Williams said.
And as for the system he ran in Dallas compared to the Martz offense?
"Big difference," Williams said. "Just big difference. Real big difference."
The former first-round draft choice out of the University of Texas was then coy when asked if he was relieved to be out of Dallas, saying only "Relieved? I'm happy to be in Chicago."
According to Williams, the Martz system is simple because it requires a receiver to follow only one simple rule.
"Be where you are supposed to be, when you are supposed to be there and don't fool the quarterback," Williams said.
"I never fool the quarterback."
Some people in Dallas might disagree. It was well-documented that Williams and Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo struggled to get on the same page, with Williams himself publicly venting about their chemistry issues. The hope in Chicago is for Williams to have a better on-field relationship with Bears quarterback Jay Cutler. Although the free agent pickup isn't allowed per NFL rules to begin practicing until Aug. 4, he's beginning to bond with Cutler.
"Great quarterback, great leader, I sat down and had lunch with him today," Williams said. "He didn't ask me to get up and leave the table, so maybe I'm in. I'm new to this team and the leader of the football team is the quarterback, so for me to talk to the quarterback and get to know him, that's good for our football team and for myself. A lot of quarterbacks don't like the receivers.
"I have a role on this football team. I don't know what it is. Come Thursday, we'll see what happens."
Jeff Dickerson covers the Bears for ESPNChicago.com
Roy Williams praises Martz, Bears' O
By Jeff Dickerson
ESPNChicago.com
Archive
BOURBONNAIS, Il. -- Roy Williams is wearing a Bears practice jersey because of Mike Martz. That fact became obvious during the receiver's first meeting with the Chicago media following the Bears first training camp practice.
"To be back with Martz, and [Bears receivers] coach [Darryl] Drake, you know, it's a blessing for me," Williams said Saturday. "To go to a system that I already know, that I had success in. It was a pretty easy decision."
ESPNChicago.com Bears blog
Williams enjoyed his two most productive NFL campaigns with Martz in Detroit from 2006-07. Over the course of those two years, he caught a combined 146 passes for 2,148 yards and 12 touchdowns. However, the receiver's numbers dipped after being dealt to the Dallas Cowboys in 2008, where he managed only 37 and 38 receptions during the past two seasons respectively.
Williams offered up a simple explanation for why he failed to put up big numbers with the Cowboys.
"Martz wasn't there," Williams said.
And as for the system he ran in Dallas compared to the Martz offense?
"Big difference," Williams said. "Just big difference. Real big difference."
The former first-round draft choice out of the University of Texas was then coy when asked if he was relieved to be out of Dallas, saying only "Relieved? I'm happy to be in Chicago."
According to Williams, the Martz system is simple because it requires a receiver to follow only one simple rule.
"Be where you are supposed to be, when you are supposed to be there and don't fool the quarterback," Williams said.
"I never fool the quarterback."
Some people in Dallas might disagree. It was well-documented that Williams and Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo struggled to get on the same page, with Williams himself publicly venting about their chemistry issues. The hope in Chicago is for Williams to have a better on-field relationship with Bears quarterback Jay Cutler. Although the free agent pickup isn't allowed per NFL rules to begin practicing until Aug. 4, he's beginning to bond with Cutler.
"Great quarterback, great leader, I sat down and had lunch with him today," Williams said. "He didn't ask me to get up and leave the table, so maybe I'm in. I'm new to this team and the leader of the football team is the quarterback, so for me to talk to the quarterback and get to know him, that's good for our football team and for myself. A lot of quarterbacks don't like the receivers.
"I have a role on this football team. I don't know what it is. Come Thursday, we'll see what happens."
Jeff Dickerson covers the Bears for ESPNChicago.com
