Pittsburgh Steelers: Vince Williams ready to step up
By Donnie Druin
Vince Williams has the chance to seize a big role on the Pittsburgh Steelers defense, and appears poised to do just that.
Earning a starting job in the NFL is undoubtedly one of the most difficult achievements to complete. Replacing a first round pick, all-pro veteran at your position? The struggles could be endless. Vince Williams has different plans for 2017 with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Steelers have a historical aura about the linebacker position. The list of legends that have had the privilege of providing such services extends long. Insert Lawrence Timmons onto this list. A staple of the Steelers defense since 2009 when he became a full-time starter, Timmons took his talents (and checkbook) to South Beach and became a Miami Dolphin.
Many predicted Pittsburgh might take to the 2017 NFL Draft to fill the gap at middle linebacker during the early rounds. In a draft which saw the Steelers pass up on one of their “needs” at the position, the organization sent a clear indication that they are perfectly confident in the abilities of Williams.
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Here’s what Williams had to say on the matter while talking to the media, per Steelers.com:
"“We had an opportunity to get some linebackers in free agency. We had an opportunity to draft a first-round linebacker. It shows the organization has a lot of confidence in me. It is the first time I have ever felt that way.”"
Williams, originally a sixth-round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, signed a three-year, $5.5 million contract extension last August. With an injury prone Ryan Shazier and Lawrence Timmons arriving on a contract year, Pittsburgh knew Williams was an important piece to the puzzle of their puzzle in the coming years.
Although primarily filling in for either Shazier or Timmons for most of his career, Williams has consistently shown his potential when given the opportunity, especially when playing on special teams. Out of many characteristics that makes Williams stand out, his nose for the football at the line of scrimmage and his physicality when mowing his way to the runner stand out most, which make for welcoming qualities for a Steelers defensive player.
For Williams, the best has yet to come. At 27, Williams has much to offer Pittsburgh at the inside linebacker position, and perhaps couldn’t have emerged at a better time.
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Vince’s twitter handle is @VinnyVidiVici98, a play on words of the famous words spoke by Julius Caesar, “Veni Vidi Vici”. From Latin, this translates to “I came, I saw, I conquered”.
That’s precisely what Vince Williams plans to do.