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Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Nick Williams 'frustrated' with position status

A lot of people are curious whether Nick Williams will end up settling down at one position. Including Williams himself.

The Georgia junior admitted Wednesday that he was "frustrated" over shifting constantly between safety and linebacker. The Bainbridge native has been bouncing between the positions essentially since his career began, and is doing that even now.

“I don’t know where I’m gonna be from week to week," Williams said. "Everybody else is getting comfortable at their position. I’m back and forth. I’m not saying I won’t do it. I’ll do it. If coach came to me tomorrow and said 'I need you to play linebacker,' I’d be ‘OK coach, no problem.’ But it’s frustrating moving back and forth, not knowing where you’re going to be."

Williams estimated he played about 15 snaps on defense against Arkansas, plus some special teams. He said he played in dime packages, where his position could basically be called either safety or linebacker.

At 6-foot-2 and 218 pounds, Williams has the size for either position. He began his career in the secondary, then moved to linebacker, then shifted back to safety before this season.

"You can’t get comfortable," Williams said. "I mean this is D-1, dog, this is Georgia. I don’t know that many players that can go from big-time safety and the next week can be a big-time linebacker. You’ve got some hybrid players out there but I don’t know too many guys that can do that. I just wanna get comfortable at one point.”

Williams' preference is clear: He wants to play safety. But he'll play either spot, as long as he can focus on one.

“It is frustrating," he said. "I am frustrated. They know that. But I’m not a selfish guy.”

Williams was adamant, however, that he would not transfer.

Head coach Mark Richt said Tuesday he hoped the team would be able to have Williams "settle into one position."

“He’s just gotta keep banging away," Richt said. "He’s just gotta keep going to those meetings and knowing what he’s gotta do. He’s gotta practice in such a way that it’ll give coach Lakatos and coach Grantham more confidence.”

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

seth, in your experience with other teams, do they have the same problem with solid/great athletes? UGA seems to have this problem regularly with guys...Samuel, Grey, Williams...and even going back to Brandon Miller who was an incredible athlete. We just cant seem to find the best positions for our players on a far too common frequency.

Anonymous said...

well, dog, i hope this great athlete finds a home soon so he can get more playing time i say safety for him but then again i dont see him in practice everyday

Anonymous said...

You're readers (myslef included) asked about Williams and you responded with a full article - now that's what jouralism's all about! Great article. Considering Rambo's loafing (SC), S. Williams missed tackles (Ark), and the 'HitMan' being less than advertised, you'd think Nick would be starting back there. He's too skilled to only be on the field for 14 plays a game. My only guess is his attitude got him in trouble with Grantham.

Anonymous said...

Nick Williams should be starting at Safety--don't understand that one-perhaps w/ Dowtin out it is necessary but we need help at the safety position

Anonymous said...

Seth,

Why didn't you ask what position Williams was in when he was beaten on a play by Arkansas's punter? Was that also someone else's fault?

This team has zero accountability. Always someone else's fault for something.