Williams makes an impression

Sep/17/08 10:11 PM Filed in: Leon Williams
LeonWilliams
After inside linebacker Leon Williams made some big strides last year, the Browns were hoping for more of the same in 2008.

Maybe that process has begun.

Williams was credited with six tackles -- all of them solo -- in Sunday night's 10-6 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Almost as important as that was the fact he was around the ball most of the rest of the game.

Browns head coach Romeo Crennel said Wednesday as the Browns began preparations for Sunday's road game against the Baltimore Ravens, that Williams saw more playing time against Pittsburgh because the club was "trying to keep Andra Davis fresh because he is playing on special teams more than he has in the past."

Williams took advantage of the opportunity and will no doubt get a lot of snaps at Baltimore.

The third-year pro played well last year, especially in the first 10 games. He started nine times overall and played in all 16 contests, amassing 90 total tackles, including 65 solos, and four sacks (outing him in a three-way tie for second on the team) for 20 yards in losses.

Through two games this season, he has eight total tackles, all of them solos.

The Browns' 3-4 defensive alignment is designed so that the linebackers are freed up to make plays. So when a linebacker performs as Williams did on Sunday, it's a good sign that the defense played well overall, which is exactly what happened. Pittsburgh gained just 281 total yards and had only 14 first downs.

The 0-2 Browns, anxious for a win, will need more of the same against the Ravens, keeping the team in the game while the offense tries to get untracked. That means Williams will be a key player.

(clevelandbrowns.com)