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D. J. Williams (linebacker)

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D.J. Williams
refer to caption
Williams with the Broncos in 2010
No. 52, 55, 58
Position:Linebacker
Personal information
Born: (1982-07-20) July 20, 1982 (age 42)
Sacramento, California, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:242 lb (110 kg)
Career information
High school:De La Salle
(Concord, California)
College:Miami (FL)
NFL draft:2004 / round: 1 / pick: 17
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
Total tackles:899
Sacks:22.5
Forced fumbles:13
Fumble recoveries:7
Interceptions:2
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Genos Derwin "D. J." Williams Jr. (born July 20, 1982)[1] is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker for 11 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at the University of Miami and was selected by the Denver Broncos in the first round of the 2004 NFL draft in the National Football League (NFL). He also played two seasons for the Chicago Bears.

Early life

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Williams, born and raised in Sacramento, California, lived with family in the Bay Area during high school. Williams did this in order to play high school football at Concord, California's De La Salle High School. He earned USA Today Defensive Player of the Year honors as a senior and was regarded as the top defensive player nationally. He compiled 130 tackles (87 solo) and rushed for 1,974 yards, six sacks, five forced fumbles, three fumbles recoveries. On offense, he broke the school record for touchdowns in a season with 42 (33 rushing, five receiving, three punt return and one kickoff return).[2]

College career

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Williams started his collegiate career at the University of Miami at fullback due to a logjam at the linebacker position. Although he was used sparingly in his freshman year in 2000, he recorded 18 career rushes for 142 yards (7.9 avg.) with two touchdowns while catching 12 passes for 143 yards over his career.[2]

Williams switched back to his favored linebacker position in 2001 and was quiet but productive member of the National Championship team. He compiled 51 tackles (25 solo), and one crucial forced fumble in the Rose Bowl against Nebraska.[2]

In 2002, he was one of 11 semi-finalists for the Butkus Award along with teammate Jonathan Vilma, who was also a second-team All-BIG EAST selection. He registered 108 tackles (55 solos) to rank second on the team, notched four sacks, forced two fumbles, and broke up eight passes.[2]

In his final year at Miami he blossomed into one of the best players in the country, finishing his senior year in 2003 as a semifinalist for the Butkus Award. He also a named third-team All-American by the Associated Press and a first-team All-Big East Conference choice. Williams finished second on the team with 82 tackles (44 solo) and tie for the team-lead with six sacks, forced a fumble and recovered another. His highlight of the season was a 61-yard run for a touchdown off a fake punt.

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump
6 ft 0+3⁄4 in
(1.85 m) 		250 lb
(113 kg) 		31+1⁄8 in
(0.79 m) 		9+1⁄4 in
(0.23 m)		 4.53 s 4.05 s 7.00 s 38.0 in
(0.97 m)		 9 ft 9 in
(2.97 m)
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[3][4]

Denver Broncos

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2004

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Williams was selected by the Denver Broncos in the first round (17th overall) of the 2004 NFL draft.[5] Williams emerged as one of the league's top linebackers.[1] In his rookie year, he started 14 of 16 games and led the Broncos with 114 tackles (82 solo). He also recorded two sacks, one interception and one forced fumble.[6] Although an early candidate for Defensive Rookie of the Year,[7] the award went to then-New York Jets linebacker Jonathan Vilma.

2005

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Williams was moved from his weak-side linebacker position to strong-side linebacker following the Broncos signing of Ian Gold.[8] He finished with 55 tackles (39 solo) while adding three pass deflections and one forced fumble. Williams also contributed two tackles and a forced fumble on special teams.[6] He pleaded guilty in September 2005 to driving drunk and was ordered to perform 24 hours of community service.[9]

2006

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In the 2006 season, he amassed 76 tackles (59 solo), a sack, one forced fumble, two pass deflections.[6]

2007

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Following the injury-related release of Al Wilson, Williams was moved to his third position, middle linebacker.[8] He finished the 2007 season 2nd in the NFL[10] with 141 tackles (106 solo) along with one sack and one interception.[6]

2009–2010

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2009 brought change to the Broncos defense when former Patriots offensive coordinator, Josh McDaniels was hired as head coach. McDaniels hired former 49ers head coach and defensive guru Mike Nolan as defensive coordinator. Nolan installed the 3-4 defense, in which he moved D.J. Williams to inside linebacker (ILB). Playing the "Jack" ILB position (same as Patrick Willis - 49ers), Williams finished the season with 122 tackles, 3.5 sacks and 3 forced fumbles.[6]

On November 12, 2010, Williams was pulled over by a Police officer for driving without headlights on. He was cited for DUI, a misdemeanor and driving without headlights. As this was his second DUI charge, Williams faced a mandatory 10-day jail sentence and a minimum of two years probation if he was convicted - he was ordered to appear in court on December 13.[9]

As a result of the arrest, the Denver Broncos fined Williams and demoted him from Defensive Co-Captain. It was also announced that he would not start the Week 10 match-up against AFC West rivals the Kansas City Chiefs.[9]

By the end of the season, Williams finished with 119 tackles (94 solo), 5.5 sacks, 9 pass deflection and 1 forced fumble.

2012

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In March 2012, Williams was suspended for six games after failing a mandatory league drug test.[11] Wesley Woodyard replaced Williams at linebacker. Williams' suspension was extended by three games by the NFL.[12]

Williams was released by the Broncos on March 11, 2013.[13]

Chicago Bears

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2013

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On March 22, 2013, the Chicago Bears signed Williams to a one-year contract.[14] In week six against the New York Giants, Williams ruptured his pectoral tendon.[15] He was placed on injured reserve on October 18.[16] Williams was a free agent after 2013, but re-signed with the Bears to a one-year deal on March 11, 2014.[17]

NFL statistics

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Years Team GP COMB SOLO AST SACK FF FR FR YDS INT IR YDS AVG IR LNG IR TD PD
2004 DEN 16 114 81 33 2.0 1 0 0 1 10 10 10 0 7
2005 DEN 16 55 39 16 0.0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3
2006 DEN 16 76 59 17 1.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
2007 DEN 16 141 106 35 1.0 2 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 5
2008 DEN 11 93 68 25 2.5 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
2009 DEN 16 122 100 22 3.5 3 2 8 0 0 0 0 0 7
2010 DEN 16 119 94 25 5.5 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 9
2011 DEN 13 90 70 20 5.0 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2
2012 DEN 7 14 10 4 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1
2013 CHI 6 27 19 8 2.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2014 CHI 12 46 30 16 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Career 145 897 676 221 22.5 14 7 0 2 10 5 10 0 38

[18]

Key

  • GP: games played
  • COMB: combined tackles
  • TOTAL: total tackles
  • AST: assisted tackles
  • SACK: sacks
  • FF: forced fumbles
  • FR: fumble recoveries
  • FR YDS: fumble return yards
  • INT: interceptions
  • IR YDS: interception return yards
  • AVG IR: average interception return
  • LNG: longest interception return
  • TD: interceptions returned for touchdown
  • PD: passes defensed

References

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  1. ^ a b "NFL - Players Rosters - National Football League - ESPN". ESPN. January 2, 2011. Archived from the original on December 20, 2004. Retrieved March 22, 2012.
  2. ^ a b c d D.J. Williams. "Player Bio: D.J. Williams - HurricaneSports.com - The University of Miami Official Athletic Site". Hurricanesports.cstv.com. Archived from the original on May 16, 2012. Retrieved March 22, 2012.
  3. ^ "Gil Brandt's NFL Draft Analysis By Position: Linebackers". Packers.com. Retrieved January 27, 2024.
  4. ^ "2004 NFL Draft Scout D.J. Williams College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  5. ^ "2004 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved May 6, 2023.
  6. ^ a b c d e "D.J. Williams Stats - Denver Broncos - ESPN". ESPN. Retrieved March 22, 2012.
  7. ^ Andrew Perloff (October 25, 2004). "SI.com - NFL - Marquee Matchup: Bengals-Broncos - Monday". SI.com. Archived from the original on November 3, 2012. Retrieved November 13, 2010.
  8. ^ a b Ted Rossman. "IDP focus: Willis..." NFL.com. Archived from the original on January 29, 2013. Retrieved November 13, 2010.polluters rehash
  9. ^ a b c NFL.com (November 13, 2010). "Broncos LB Williams fined..." NFL.com. Archived from the original on November 15, 2010. Retrieved November 13, 2010.
  10. ^ "NFL Stats: by Player Category". Nfl.com. Archived from the original on October 24, 2012. Retrieved March 22, 2012.
  11. ^ "3 Broncos suspended for violating NFL drug policy - WSJ.com". Online.wsj.com. Associated Press. March 9, 2012. Archived from the original on April 3, 2015. Retrieved March 22, 2012.
  12. ^ "Broncos linebacker D.J. Williams' suspension increased by NFL". NFL. Archived from the original on October 6, 2012. Retrieved October 5, 2012.
  13. ^ Wesseling, Chris (March 11, 2013). "D.J. Williams released by Denver Broncos". NFL.com. Retrieved March 11, 2013.
  14. ^ ""ChicagoTribune.com", "Bears find a replacement for Urlacher", "March 22, 2013"". Chicago Tribune.
  15. ^ Mayer, Larry (October 11, 2013). "Williams out for season with ruptured pectoral tendon". Chicago Bears. Archived from the original on October 12, 2013. Retrieved October 11, 2013.
  16. ^ "D.J. Williams placed on IR". KFFL. October 18, 2013. Archived from the original on December 4, 2014. Retrieved October 25, 2013.
  17. ^ Mayer, Larry (March 11, 2014). "Bears retain linebacker D.J. Williams". Chicago Bears. Archived from the original on March 12, 2014. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
  18. ^ "D.J. Williams Stats". ESPN. ESPN Internet Ventures. Retrieved December 23, 2014.
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