The Pittsburgh Steelers signed linebacker Vince Williams to a new contract earlier in the week. It was a very popular move within the locker room and then Williams went out and showed us why with his performance in New Orleans on Friday night.
All Williams did in about 2 and a half quarters of work was lead the team in tackles with eight including five solos. Ya it’s the preseason but don’t tell Williams that. He’s the type of guy who brings a ‘full-bore’ attitude whether it’s the preseason, the regular season or a game of charades.
He gained some extra popularity on Friday night with his big-time hit on the Saints’ Daniel Lasco who looked to have been knocked out by Williams. I’ve watched the play probably two dozen times now and while I don’t think it was truly a ‘leading with the head’ situation, I see why the official flagged Williams. It was violent and for the scantest of seconds, it appeared that Williams’ helmet did briefly contact the one worn by Lasco.
As much as I hate the delay it takes in college football to review such a play to see if the player was guilty of targeting, I think Williams’ hit was one where he would have been found not guilty.
That play aside, Williams is probably the best tackler on the team and showed it several times against the Saints. He had tackles in the box and he had tackles out wide including one where he tripped up a ball carrier preventing a first down.
Whether or not Williams is the heir apparent to Lawrence Timmons on this defense is yet to be determined but it certainly looks that way. Timmons has looked pretty good so far this preseason but can he continue that into the regular season?
Vince Williams may certainly tweet some things that cause one to scratch their head at times but playing linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers has never been about being “nice” or “proper.” Perhaps that’s why Williams has fit in so well in the Steelers’ locker room.
Photo courtesy brobible.com
