Leon Williams has outperformed a rookie contract that expires after this season. Williams would potentially have the leverage to force a new deal if he became an unrestricted free agent after this year if he has another solid year. But he will only be a UFA if the league collective bargaining agreement is extended. If not, Jackson could be tied to the Browns for two more seasons as a restricted free agent -- which gives the Browns all the cards.

(cleveland.com)

Leon Williams was used in pass coverage, particularly against the tight end, and I thought he had his best game in quite a while.




(cle.scout.com)

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)

Linebacker Leon Williams, who suffered a neck stinger Monday, practiced and expects to play versus the Lions.





(medina-gazette.com)

Linebacker Leon Williams suffered a neck injury and his return was doubtful. The severity of his injury is still unknown.




(chroniclet.com)

By the end of the week, Andra Davis will be wearing a radio helmet so he can receive signals from defensive coordinator Mel Tucker. Leon Williams will wear the radio helmet when he is on the field and Davis is on the sideline.

A defensive player wearing a radio helmet is new this year. It had been suggested before by the NFL Competition Committee and rejected. The Spygate incident involving the Patriots was the impetus to pass the rule for this year.

(zwire.com)

The real battle will be for the two inside backer positions. Andra Davis is the seasoned vet. D'Qwell Jackson was a high second round draft pick last year and began to shine just before he went down with an injury. That injury opened the door for another rookie linebacker, Leon Williams.

Williams is arguably the most athletic defender on this Browns defense. He will be pushing both starters for not only increased playing time but also for a starting position. I could see Leon becoming a starter due to his natural instincts at playing the run while pushing Andra Davis into the role of a third down pass defender.

(browns.scout.com)

Mean Leon: Linebacker Leon Williams will probably continue to replace D'Qwell Jackson this year in nickel and dime packages, as that's what he's been doing in camp so far.

(dawgsbynature.com)

Crennel revealed that second-year linebacker Leon Williams had arthroscopic surgery on his ankle and will be brought along slowly

(ohio.com)

Leon Williams was a very pleasant surprise for the Browns. Picked in the 4th round, he ended the season as a starter because of the injury to Jackson. He finished with 42 tackles including 12 against Baltimore and 14 against Tampa Bay. He is strong against the run, a sure tackler, and good at shedding blockers. It is very likely that he will be moved outside to split time with McGinest because he is showing himself too valuable to be kept off the field.

(dawgbones.com)

Leon Williams saw playing time throughout the year, and got more and more as the season went on. Eventually he got to start due to injuries. Williams showed a lot for a fourth-round pick. He spied Michael Vick in the Atlanta game and did very well. Once he got into the lineup consistently in the last few games, Williams showed what he could do. He disrupted plays, made tackles, and even called defensive signals. In a lackluster Tampa Bay game, he was one of the few Browns players who had a good game.

(story.scout.com)

MAKING A CASE: Rookie linebacker Leon Williams caught the attention of Crennel with his play against the Ravens last Sunday. Williams, starting in place of the injured D’Qwell Jackson, had a team-high 10 tackles and one forced fumble. Jackson and Andra Davis would appear to be locks to start on the inside next season. Williams, who’s the fastest linebacker on the roster, could project to the outside to eventually replace Willie McGinest. ‘‘If they want me to play outside, I’ll play outside,’’ Williams said. ‘‘It doesn’t matter, as long as we win.’’

(tribune-chronicle.com)

ON WILLIAMS Crennel on linebacker Leon Williams’ first NFL start: “He made plays and didn’t have mental errors. He played pretty well.”

(cantonrep.com)

BEREA — The Browns are pleased with the progress of one rookie inside linebacker and get the chance to analyze a second one starting this week.
Second-round pick D’Qwell Jackson earned raves for his play in the first 13 games but decided to have surgery Thursday to repair a turf toe suffered Dec. 7 versus Pittsburgh. He will likely go on injured reserve next week and miss the remainder of the season.

“I thought he did a really good job to come in and start right away for us,” coach Romeo Crennel said. “He was able to hold his own.
“At times he struggled with some of the bigger (offensive linemen), but his instincts allowed him to get around some blocks, come in the back sides of blocks. He was productive as far as making tackles and was good in pass coverage.”

Jackson’s injury allows the Browns to take a three-game look at fourth-round pick Leon Williams out of the University of Miami. Williams has played in every game this year but has been limited to special teams and certain defensive packages. He has three tackles and a pass breakup.

“He’s got some size, got some speed,” Crennel said. “The thing lacking now is experience.

“We have to see how that goes in the game. He’s been in meetings and gotten practice time. I think he’ll be representative.”

Rookie Leon Williams will get his first start at inside linebacker in the regular defense. Williams will line up on the strong side, with Andra Davis moving to the weak side.

"It's an opportunity," Williams said. "I love being out there playing football."
Williams has played sparingly since he was used to "spy" Michael Vick of the Atlanta Falcons. He had a solid game in the Browns' win, and now faces the back - Jamal Lewis - who set an all-time NFL record against the Browns.

"That was a few years ago," Williams said. "It's a different team this year. The past doesn't matter."

Williams brings a little more size than Jackson to the position. He's 6-foot-2 and 238 pounds, Jackson is 6-foot and 228.

With D'Qwell Jackson listed as doubtful for Week 15, Browns rookie Leon Williams is expected to start at inside linebacker against Baltimore. We've not heard much from former Miami Hurricane this season, as he's been excelling almost strictly on special teams. Williams could be a good source of tackles and may hold up better at the point of attack because he is considerably bigger than the man he is set to spell.

(rotoworld.com)

Linebacker Leon Williams was carted off the field in the third quarter with an ankle injury. Williams also said that X-rays were negative.

(tribune-chrnicle.com)

SPECIAL PRAISE: Cribbs isn't the only special teamer performing well. Overall, those units "have done a nice job," Crennel said. "Some of the young guys who have to play are beginning to step up and know the game. For instance, Leon Williams has kind of been going along, but last week, he showed signs of where he needs to fit and what he needs to do to be able to play special teams in the NFL. That's a sign of improvement for the team as we go forward. He's not the only one, though. There are other guys who have stepped in. They are learning each week."

(noticias.info)