Receiver Roy Williams returned from a family vacation to the Bahamas in time to take part in the first day of the Cowboys' 14-week offseason program yesterday at Valley Ranch. There, he spoke to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and, without hyperbole, sounded like a different player than the sometimes-contentious one we saw last year around this time.
Williams, for example, didn't loudly assert that "everyone" thinks he sucks, a common refrain in 2009; rather, he seemed to understand that, after a miserable first full season with Dallas last year, the onus is on him to prove the opposite, an idea that gives him more than a little motivation going into 2010.
"
My biggest disappointment is not being able to help the team," Williams said. "I felt like I didn't do anything last year. I dropped balls and what not. I didn't think my name would be on top of the drop list ever in my life. It was a humbling experience. It showed me I better get my life together."
In 2009, Williams posted 38 catches for 596 yards and seven touchdowns, but drew heavy scrutiny as a result of dropped passes and a seeming lack of communication with quarterback Tony Romo. Further establishing a relationship with his quarterback, Williams said, is a major goal this offseason.
"Of course if I throw to a guy in the game and he is tripping by not catching the ball I would lose confidence in him, too," Williams said, per
the Star-Telegram. "He won't say it publicly, but what quarterback wouldn't lose trust? I'm going to try to get in good with him and be his buddy. You have to make plays in the game to get the ball and get plays drawn for you.
"I have to make plays."
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Williams isn't asking for anyone to feel sorry for him; though humbled by 2009, the former Longhorn is resolved to return to form and, in the very least, contribute more consistently.
"It's very disappointing," Williams said. "But I know what type of player I am, and so does Jerry and Wade. It just hasn't worked out. But it's going to have to work out. I don't know how many fans I've got left. I know they've fallen off the Roy Williams bandwagon.
"They need to jump back on because it's going to work out."