http://www.buffalobills.com/news/news.jsp?news_id=3992 Williams starts at nose tackle Kyle Williams impressive debut performance in the Bills first preseason game has only accelerated his ascent up the defensive depth chart. Williams who was earning first team reps in Buffalo's nickel package prior to the Carolina game, is now getting first team reps in Buffalo's base package replacing Tim Anderson. Bills head coach Dick Jauron was reluctant to call Williams a member of the starting lineup likely out of respect for the veteran Anderson. "Really the way I look at our defense is we don't have guys who are going to play in a rotation and they might play equal time," said Jauron. "Guys are going to play as hard as they can for as long as they can and then come off the field. And then somebody else will come in and play as hard as they can." But Williams got all the first team snaps in practice Tuesday at the nose tackle spot next to fellow defensive tackle Larry Tripplett, and has been awarded that playing time from the coaching staff for his early success. "I just think he may be one of those players who is just as good in the NFL as he was in college," said Jauron of Williams. "That happens a lot at the top of the draft, but down in there sometimes it doesn't and the player is overwhelmed. We really like him. He's very smart and very tough. There are some advantages to not being 6'5". He's got terrific leverage, really good body control and strength and those are the things you need in there to hold that point." The modest Williams didn't offer much when asked to comment about pushing Anderson for the starting role. "I think everybody is trying to push the guy in front of them," said Williams. "Its great competition out here and the opportunity to hopefully land a job on the Bills team is number one. We definitely want to play, we're all competitors, but if we've got four guys that can play no matter who it is we're going to be rotating a lot and playing a lot so I'd be happy with anything." Denney getting starter reps too Working off of Williams' left shoulder was Ryan Denney who has steadily been getting more reps at the starting left defensive end position. Initially it was done to give Chris Kelsay the experience of playing on the right side of the formation, which Kelsay did with the second unit. But after Denney's strong performance in the Carolina game Denney appears to have the edge right now for the starting role. He and Williams were solid against Carolina's run front. The two defensive linemen each had a pair of tackles that went for no gain or a loss in the game. I seem to recall the same thing being said about Lavalais, who's started quite a few games with the Falcons. You can't deny the heart of a tiger. Williams is a class act and deserves everything that he gets.
I'll never forget a Bum Phillips quote when he was head coach of the Saints. He drafted a linebacker who was shorter than a "more reknowned" linebacker one year and when they asked him if he would not have preferred the other, taller, LB, Bum said "Heck, we ain't draftin these boys to jump center!". I never heard anyone in football with more quaint quotes than Bum Phillips. The Yogi Berra of football.
