birdz4i Posted October 28, 2022 Share Posted October 28, 2022 With the secondary taking a hit with injuries, Williams could see reps back at cornerback Oct 27, 2022 at 09:16 AM Ashton Edmunds Falcons Features Reporter FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – When the Falcons secondary faced crucial injuries against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 6, head coach Arthur Smith strongly considered putting running back Avery Williams back at cornerback. "Very close," Smith said. "I thought I was going to put him in there in the San Fran game to end it. But I don't know how many guys would have gone into a game if he hadn't gone in there at corner, which we practiced in the camp. You guys all saw that against Jacksonville. So, he would have been a kick returner, punt returner, [personal protector], covered kicks, played receiver, played running back. If he had to go in there and play DB, it's a pretty valuable roster spot." Casey Hayward, A.J. Terrell, and Isaiah Oliver all suffered injuries during that game. Hayward was placed on injured reserve following the matchup and Dee Alford dealt with a hamstring injury that kept him out of a Week 7 contest against the Cincinnati Bengals. Terrell suffered a second injury against the Bengals in the first quarter that took him out the game, which limited the secondary to only Darren Hall, Cornell Armstrong, and Oliver. To say the least, this position group has been banged up over the last three weeks. Williams, who is the primary punt and kick returner, was drafted as a cornerback by the Falcons in 2021, but later transitioned to running back ahead of the 2022 season. The skill set Williams brings has been vital for the Falcons and how they've been able to use him in all three phases of the game. "I think his talents, his attributes for us is so, so important, so critical," quarterback Marcus Mariota said. "Not only does he provide some kind of a safety net, he can talk to our guys on offense about 'hey, in this coverage, this is what they're expecting. This is the leverage they're going to play', so he's been such a great help on our side of the ball. If he needs to be, he can go out there and play defense too." And if it did come down to Williams having to slot in at cornerback, he was more than ready to do so. "I'll do whatever that helps the team so if we need a guy to go in when people are going down, I'd be happy to do that," he said. Williams played in 15 games on defense as a rookie, tallying eight tackles, one pass deflection, and a forced fumble. This season, Williams has 58 rushing yards, one touchdown, 26 receiving yards, 97 kick return yards and 206 punt return yards. He leads the NFL in both punt return yards and punt return average (20.6). Like Smith mentioned above, he practiced a bit at corner during training camp too, while continuing to learn the offense and his role on special teams. "The guy is constantly absorbing everything that's being talked about football," secondary coach Jon Hoke said. "He's one of those guys that is always around. He knows, he remembers. He talks to the defensive backs as well because he was with those guys all last year." With a divisional matchup against the Carolina Panthers approaching on Sunday, there's a possibility Williams could see reps on defense if that permitted. If so, Williams feels more than prepared for it. "Just be ready, be watching," Williams said. "If your name gets called be ready to go in there." https://www.atlantafalcons.com/news/how-avery-williams-versatility-is-vital-to-the-falcons-in-all-three-phases?fbclid=IwAR2blTLxku2kO-GzLQ88czGbxRixEdBQCP9iUvtnnKQ8pmX3T0trMH0dh_o Killing Floor, rounz, nutsandbolts and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazoo Posted October 28, 2022 Share Posted October 28, 2022 I think he’ll make pro bowl as a returner. Amazing draft wehad ItsJustMe and Herr Doktor 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herr Doktor Posted October 28, 2022 Share Posted October 28, 2022 This was a great pick. The man lives and breathes team. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RING OF HONOR Posted October 28, 2022 Share Posted October 28, 2022 11 minutes ago, Herr Doktor said: This was a great pick. The man lives and breathes team. Caught his interview on local radio today ... He is strictly TEAM.... Herr Doktor 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LightningDawg58 Posted October 28, 2022 Share Posted October 28, 2022 Put him at DB when Patterson returns. Huntley has been the better back since the beginning of preseason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herr Doktor Posted October 28, 2022 Share Posted October 28, 2022 6 hours ago, LightningDawg58 said: Put him at DB when Patterson returns. Huntley has been the better back since the beginning of preseason. Nah, he's a utility offensive player now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ItsJustMe Posted October 28, 2022 Share Posted October 28, 2022 Avery is a guy I picked to shine. A sleeper if you will. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mister pudding Posted October 28, 2022 Share Posted October 28, 2022 Yeah, I made a topic on this and got blasted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PriMeTiiMe Posted October 28, 2022 Share Posted October 28, 2022 8 hours ago, LightningDawg58 said: Put him at DB when Patterson returns. Huntley has been the better back since the beginning of preseason. He was horrific as a DB. No point messing him up changing his position. His spot on the 53 is a return man with a the ability to be a pass catching RB as well if needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
etherdome Posted October 28, 2022 Share Posted October 28, 2022 Now, that dude is a football player! Already, I see him as a future HC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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