Is the NFL game too fast for New York Jets DE Leonard Williams?
2015 is in the rear view mirror. A new season begins in 2016. How has the NFL game changed for New York Jets defensive lineman Leonard Williams?
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The ‘Big Cat’ Accelerates into Year 2 Jets DL Leonard Williams Says Game is Speeding Up, Not Slowing Down, and That’s a Good Thing |
| Source: www.newyorkjets.com/news/article-7/The-‘Big-Cat’-Accelerates-into-Year-2/2d2149b5-f8b7-4003-a0ad-8742f4f233a8 | |
Vroom!
That is the sound of a race car passing by.
Vroom!
Another goes past. All these objects rush past a spectator in the blink of an eye. This is also how fast the NFL game is for Leonard Williams in his 2nd year with the New York Jets. For other 2nd year players, things slow down for them but this is not the case with the “Big Cat”.
“Everything is speeding up for me actually. I don’t have to play slow anymore or think as much. I’m just more comfortable with this defense, more comfortable with my teammates, coaches, the system, everything. It’s just a lot faster.”
He is now able to process the information quicker in head coach Todd Bowles’ defense, which will allow him to play faster. In 2015, this defensive lineman was getting by on his talent, which was enough to lead Gang Green with 32 QB hits but didn’t produce many sacks (3). A full offseason and training camp will help him get off the line of scrimmage quicker when the center snaps the football and break free from offensive linemen while film study will allow him to see the tendencies of his opponents. These factors will be the difference between a quarterback hit and a sack in 2016.
The end is in sight for Leo. No more deer in the headlights. No more rookie walls. Everything is coming together for Williams. What better example than when the Jets faced the Jacksonville Jaguars in their 1st preseason matchup? Leonard broke through the offensive line and sacked Blake Bortles on 3rd down in the 1st half. What may have taken the “Big Cat” more time last year to break through, he was able to do in a matter of seconds.
“Sacks are definitely one of the numbers that I want to increase this year.”
Is the NFL ready for an improved Leonard Williams?
