Bob Magaw's Thoughts

Perhaps it was fated that this former West coast star athlete would one day be drafted by the New York Giants. He was born on Oct. 10, 1976, the first official opening day for Giants Stadium. Williams made numerous prep All-American lists as a standout two-way RB/Safety for Crespi High in Encino, CA (1,835 rushing yards and 23 TDs, 106 tackles and 3 INTs as a senior). From there he than went on to have a stellar career manning the deep patrol for UCLA, adding some All-American recognition at the collegiate level after the '97 season, his senior year. Williams is a physical specimen (6'2" 218) with size, power, speed, quickness and athleticism to be interchangeably effective either covering the deep middle or being a force in run support. The former first rounder (1.24 '98) was a standout FS in 2000-'01, before moving to SS before the '02 season. He has averaged a LB-like 94 tackles the three years prior to '03, in which he got 60 in an abbreviated, injury-shortened season, completing only nine games (less than two thirds of the season). On a prorated basis, he was actually pacing for a possible 100+ tackle career season, despite the whispers that his play was not up to par in '03. It is important to separate out scout chatter about his perceived performance in real football terms, as opposed to his IDP productivity. By that measure, he had a solid season and probably would have ended with top 15-20 DB numbers but for the injury.

2003 was a nightmarish and forgettable year by any measure for Giants fans. Retaining the nucleus intact of a team only two years removed from a Super Bowl appearance, New York began the season with naturally high expectations. Injury-decimated lines on both sides of the ball, a turnover-plagued season in which serial fumbler Tiki Barber put the ball on the ground repeatedly at inopportune times, and wacky games like the early Monday nighter against the Cowboys in which an errant kickoff going out of bounds with seconds left led to an eventual overtime loss, all conspired to a lost season (lost 7 of 8 at Giants stadium, where they were booed lustily and often). In the past former coach Jim Fassell always had a rabbit to pull out of his hat, for instance by proclaiming that they would win the rest of their games one season, and ending in miraculous fashion. There was no such magic in '03, and negatives kept piling up, spiraling in directions even master spin doctor Fassell couldn't control, into an abysmal 4-12 season that ultimately cost his HC job. The numbers don't lie, and they were appalling (15.2 points per game a pathetic next last #31 in the NFL; 24.2 points allowed good for a less than robust #29 ranking, with the emphasis on rank). Amidst whispers that the Giants were lacking in discipline and toughness, GM Accorsi and the Giants brain trust brought a new sheriff into town, Tom Coughlin. After being beaten twice in divisional showdowns by Dallas, it probably didn't escape the attention of the Giant's front office that the Cowboys were returned to respectability after a several year hiatus by turnaround artist and arch-disciplinarian Bill Parcells. All of a sudden, it is hip to be hard-nosed, stern, terse and a curmudgeon. Old school coaches like Parcells are in vogue again because they demand and insist that their charges practice as hard as they play, and they refuse to settle for less than full effort and intensity. Failure to improve upon correctable mistakes and lack of accountability are not suffered lightly.

Positives

• Great athleticism and versatility, above average range and coverage skills for a SS. Good feet, quickness, change of direction and movement skills. When turned loose, capable of being a weapon as a pass rusher... times the blitz very well. When on his game, among the most outstanding run/pass read and recognition instincts among SS's in the game.



• A real thumper and intimidator in the run game, he'll put his hat on you. Makes WRs think twice about crossing the middle on his watch... can be alligator arm-inducing. One of the most punishing tacklers among safeties in the league. Assuming he comes back strong from the ACL injury (he is only 27 and hopefully has a young man's recuperative powers; early reports from training camp are encouraging), he is one of the best SS's in the NFL period. Capable of being a sideline-to-sideline presence and playmaker in the Rodney Harrison vein. Getting jolted by a blow delivered from the enthusiastic Williams is like getting hit in the solar plexus (not one of those medallions exposed by Janet Jackson) with an electric axe handle.



• Highly productive every season since becoming a starter. He is somewhat underrated and not associated by some with the very best SS's in the game... he is capable of being a top 15-20 safety in IDP leagues, but can probably be gotten at a spot later in the draft which at some point represents compelling value.

Negatives

• Coming off a season-ending knee injury, sometimes it can take skill position players two full seasons to get the burst, suddenness and acceleration back... IDPs don't seem to be as adversely affected.



• Fell off a bit in '03 from his characteristically proficient coverage chops. He gave up a few more big plays than normal last season. He hasn't made a lot of plays in the passing game, negligible INT totals for such a talented athlete (after 3 INTs in '01, just 2 in '02 and 1 in '03, a downward trend). Not as good playing in reverse, though he could be a monster as an in-the-box safety.



• Can be overly aggressive, sometimes bites on play action and gets caught out of position. Has been known to miss tackles going for the Sports Center highlight hit, instead of breaking down, form tackling and wrapping up.

Final Thoughts

The Giants only return one starter in the front seven from last seasons floundering effort. Though it is the incomparable Michael Strahan, the Giants secondary could be running for their lives early and often in 2004, so the opportunity to rack up pumped up, inflated tackle totals could present itself for Williams and running mate FS Omar Stoutmire. With question marks at DL and LB, he might be one of the few strengths of their defense (along with the best DE in the game, Michael Strahan, of course), and could be a focal point in 2004. With inexperienced and untested William Joseph and Nick Greisen asked to fill the vitally important roles of DT and MLB, respectively for the Giants (Michael Barrow's release leaves a huge void, and both starting DT's from '03 are gone), they might not be at full strength in the middle and vulnerable to getting gashed by misdirection plays. If so, Williams could find himself immersed in run support responsibilities all season long. He could effortlessly segue into the role Donavin Darius played for Coughlin back in Jacksonville. New DC Tim Lewis brings a penchant for using the 3-4 over with him from his stint with Pittsburgh in the same capacity. The Giants are expected to show a mix of 4-3 and 3-4 looks while they are getting acclimated to the schemes which best suit their personnel. When they flash the 3-4 look, new draftees like Reggie Torbor and Isaac Hilton could someday evolve into rush-LB/converted DE hybrids favored by the Steelers. But in the meantime, steady Carlos Emmons and ultra-athletic Barrett Green (who could be an ascendant player) can hold down the fort in boring, stodgy, but tried and true 4-3 alignments.

If the unleashing of the full fury that is Shaun Williams in run support is green lit by HC Coughlin and schemed for by DC Lewis, he could have a banner year and be a very pleasant surprise for his IDP league owners. While not having the flashy, marquee reputation preceding him of newcomers like Ed Reed and Sean Taylor, he has the talent, athleticism, versatility and well rounded skill set to put up comparable numbers. With embattled and beleaguered veteran QB Kurt Warner probably at the helm (at least for the beginning of the season) and uncertainty shrouding how quickly prized rookie Eli Manning can be readied for action, probability strongly suggests the Giants could struggle at times during the season. If they get behind in the first half in some games, they could see a lot of running plays in the second half while their opponents try and grind out the clock, presenting the chance to scoop up more tackles in garbage time than the NFL has prospective half time performers on their list ahead of Janet Jackson for next years Super Bowl. Once the rate at which Williams starts dialing up RBs and WRs numbers increases in frequency, intensity and severity, opposing ball carriers will be as about as happy to see him as Donald Trump would be to stumble across the path of Omarosa at a New York Football Giants game.

Aaron Rudnicki's Thoughts

Shaun was born in Los Angeles and was a 2-way star in high school (played both tailback and safety) before enrolling at UCLA. He was a 3-year starter at FS for UCLA and was named all Pac-10 and 2nd team All-American in his senior season. After being a 1st round pick of the Giants in 1998, Williams had a slow start to his career in New York. He spent his first 2 NFL seasons primarily as a reserve in nickel and dime packages and on special teams, while also missing games with several nagging injuries. Then, he emerged as a starter in 2000 and went on to start the next 58 straight games. His first 2 years as a starter were spent at FS, where he had a great deal of success and put up top-20 DB numbers. In 2002, he was moved to SS with the departure of Sam Garnes, and surprisingly his tackle numbers dropped a bit but he was still productive enough to finish in the top-30 of many scoring systems. Although 2003 was a disaster for the Giants as a whole and was marred by injuries to almost the entire secondary, Williams was actually on his way to having another productive season before he went down with a knee injury in week 10. Projecting his numbers out over a full season would have placed him just outside the top-20 or so fantasy DBs again. Thus, in 4 years as a starter, when healthy Williams has performed anywhere from about the #12 to #30-ranked DB. That type of consistency is unusual, and Williams is a guy that will likely fly under many owners' radar this year because of the injury that ended his 2003 season prematurely.

Williams has been a very solid tackler throughout his career, and it is primarily that attribute which makes him such a consistent performer. He normally uses sound technique to wrap up ball carriers, but has also been known to lay the wood into people and can be overly aggressive on occasion. Williams is a tremendous athlete who can match up well in coverage and actually was used as a nickel corner at times early in his pro career. His ball skills are good but not great (9 INTs over past 4 seasons), and he will occasionally drop some easy INTs that he should make. Williams might not be as big (6'2", 218 lbs) as your typical in-the-box type SS, but he makes up for it with his quickness and good instincts - he reacts well and takes good angles in pursuit. He has also become an effective blitzer for the Giants with 4.5 sacks over the past 3 seasons. The Giants have changed their coaching staff and new HC Tom Coughlin and DC Tim Lewis are focusing heavily on creating turnovers. Last year, the Giants set a franchise low with only 10 INTs. Reports indicate that Williams is progressing well from his injury and should be ready to go when training camp starts. There will likely be a training camp competition for the starting FS job between incumbent Omar Stoutmire and FA Brent Alexander, but Williams' starting job should be safe.

Positives

• One of the more athletic and well rounded strong safeties in the game, who can jar a RB with a big hit but also has enough speed to match up with a WR in coverage if necessary.



• Consistency - has averaged almost 4.5 solo tackles per start over the past 4 seasons and has produced like a top-30 DB when healthy.



• Surrounding talent - The Giants released MLB Michael Barrow and are relying on unproven Nick Griesen to fill his spot, which could lead to an increase in tackle opportunities for a solid veteran SS like Williams. Additionally, the Giants don't appear to be very strong at DT, meaning more RBs are likely to get through to the secondary.

Negatives

• Coming off season-ending knee injury, which is always cause for concern. There remains a chance he may not get all of his explosiveness back right away, which could limit his production, although reports thus far have been positive.



• New DC is coming to town with brand new scheme, so there might be an adjustment period and it's difficult to know if the change will help or hurt Williams' level of production.



• Although his statistics did not seem to suffer, Williams did not play all that well last year. It was pretty much a miserable season for everybody in Giants blue, and Williams was no exception, but at only 28 years old he should be more than capable of rebounding.

Final Thoughts

Williams' season-ending injury and questionable play last year are causing him to drop in a lot of fantasy owner's eyes. When you consider how well he has played in the past and the fact that he started 58 straight games before the injury, it's hard not to get excited about his prospects. The knee injury that sidelined him was not a torn ACL but rather some damage to the tendon and he is expected to make a full recovery in plenty of time. The Giants had a miserable season all around and the injuries to both starting CBs likely put a lot more pressure on him than usual. With a healthier team around him, he should have fewer coverage responsibilities and hopefully be used more as an 8th man in the box to stop the run and create havoc.

Quotes from the IDP Spotlight Message Thread:

To view the entire thread, click here: DB Shaun Williams, New York Giants

grady:
"An average football player who will benefit from a poor offensive line and defensive front seven."

koreansteve:
"I was really high on him (as many were) going into last season and the only reason that he didn't break the top 10 for DBs was because of his injury. As long as he can come back healthy, I REALLY like his chances as a guy flying under many owners' radar."

Projections

IDP Scoring System
1 pt per Solo Tackle
0.5 pt per Assisted Tackle
3 pts per Sack
4 pts per Interception
1 pt per Pass Defensed
2 pts per Forced Fumble
2 pts per Fumble Recovery