Apr/16/08 06:02 PM Filed in:
DJ Williams
DJ Williams has finally
spoken. And what he said pretty much confirms much
of what we’ve discussed here on BroncoTalk.
First, to clear up any misconceptions about his
successful first year as MLB, DJ stated he was more
than comfortable playing MIKE in 2007 and liked running
the defense from the middle.
“I enjoyed playing [MIKE] last year, I had fun. I
thought I caught on well at the end.”
He also expressed his surprise at being moved bumped
from that position this off-season. However, he’s
a true team player and has agreed to the move for the
team.
“I understand why I had to move; it made the team
better. Sometimes you do things that are best for the
team and it’s not best for you,”
Does that sound like a guy that’s happy about
being demoted? Yeah, I didn’t think so.
But DJ is a professional and a throw-back to the good
ole days. He’s a TEAM player and had nothing bad
to say about the organization or his Coach.
“I haven’t been happy about the movement,
but I like the organization, I like the cit. I love how
coach Shanahan takes care of his players, as far as
physically, the off-season program. Everybody around
the facility, I like everybody.”
The second media point, beaten to a bloody pulp the
last few months, was the fact that DJ was best over on
the Weak Side. DJ seems to back that up… with a
disclaimer.
“I feel like if I played one position all four
years, I could probably be the top guy at my position
or one of the top guys at the weak-side position.
Changing every year kind of stunts your growth. But at
the same time, I’ve got knowledge.”
Overall, I think this just verifies what we’ve
been saying for months now. DJ wasn’t done any
favors by being pushed to WILL from his leadership role
in the middle. He was surprised and unhappy about it,
but because he’s a team player he is willing make
the move to improve the team.
In a league of ME FIRST athletes, it’s refreshing
to see a guy like DJ choosing the team over his own
personal glory. Compare the way he has handled this
off-season against Javon Walker.
DJ had his best year (statically) and the spotlight of
running the defense. Javon Walker had a gimped-up
uneventful year. However, when both of these two were
told to move to second-fiddle positions for the
betterment of the team, Javon walked. DJ, however,
decided that the team was more important than one man.
DJ play WILL this year – and probably earn
himself a trip to Hawaii in the processes. But
we’ll always know that his greatest attribute is
not strength, agility or speed… it’s his
selfless devotion to our Denver Broncos team.
(broncostalk.com)