Our series of offseason interviews continues with Jamal Williams (JW), a 6-3, 348 pound defensive tackle whom the Broncos signed as a free agent. Williams spent the first twelve years of his career with the San Diego Chargers and figures to anchor the middle of the Broncos’ defensive line this season.
850 KOA: You had opportunities to play elsewhere. What was the deciding factor in signing with Denver?
JW: (Broncos’ defensive line) Coach (Wayne) Nunnely was one of the deciding factors. I wanted the opportunity to play for a few more years and I’m very familiar with the AFC West. That’s an advantage for me, too, because I’ve played against these guys all the time, Kansas City, the Raiders and I’m going to play against the Chargers. Being familiar with the division foes was a big plus.
850 KOA: You guys had your fair share of success in San Diego and the Chargers have dominated the AFC West the last few years. Aside from having a lot of good players at a lot of positions, what were a couple of keys to the kind of success you had defensively?
JW: It was a tight-knit group. Everybody played hard for each other. Football is football. You have to make sure you’re the most prepared team on Sunday and play the hardest.
850 KOA: There have been a lot of changes to the Broncos’ defense this offseason. How do you feel being a part of that and what is the key for this new defense to be successful?
JW: Our team has a player pretty much in place at each position and the guys we brought in are going to help out even more. We’re just trying to be pieces of the puzzle and win some games and bring a ring back to Denver.
850 KOA: You look at the odd-man front you played in San Diego under Wade Phillips and others and then you come here and this is a 3-4 defense as well. Even though you haven’t been here very long, do you know if there will be differences in what you’re asked to do with the Broncos compared to how the Chargers used you?
JW: A 3-4 is basic. The only changes here are going to be terminology. I’ve been coached by Coach Nunnely for 11 years so we know each other. Coach Martindale can make things pretty simple for me and he’s giving me an idea of what he wants me to do. I’m just trying to do my job and get in the trenches and get the job done.
850 KOA: What will it be like to play against your former team and maybe even get a hit or two on Chargers’ quarterback Philip Rivers?
JW: When I signed here, Philip sent me a text and I sent him a text back saying the red jerseys you wear in practice are off now. We kid around with that stuff but it’s going to be interesting. Being there for so many years, it’ll (be) a change but football is football and that’s what I like to do. So come Sunday, it’s on.
850 KOA: How have you adjusted to the altitude in Denver?
JW: Wow. It takes minute to adjust to it but I think I’m doing pretty well. The training has been pretty good so I’m up and ready and getting used to everything.
850 KOA: Now that you’re in the mountain time zone, when you talk with people in San Diego you can wake them up in the morning since you’re an hour ahead of them.
JW: You must have heard because I do it every morning. I say, ‘Hey, I’m one hour better than you guys so get ready. Mark it on your calendar (when the Broncos play the Chargers).’ I can be a pain in the morning for those guys.
I would love to get your thoughts on how Williams will fit in to the Broncos’ revamped defense and what kind of impact you think he will have.
I’ll have another interview in a few days.
Thanks for reading,
Mike
Tags: 2010, Broncos, Denver, Jamal, Mike, Nunnely, Rice, Wayne, Williams
Williams is the defensive line this year as what Brian Dawkins was for the secondary.
Many think Williams is too old and injured, just like many thought Dawkins had nothing left.
I’m looking forward to winning with the all pro and making the chargers regret letting him go. (*:salute:*)
papa-pwn…interesting comparison. I hadn’t thought of it that way.
Mike
The better part is that now with original quality at starter DL, our #2s that were starters last year have plenty of experience (McBean, Fields and Thomas). The rotation must keep fresh the DL and avoid a freaking collapse at the end of the season.
SIGN DOOM!
Mike,last year a lot of teams ran the ball straight up the gut on us,with Williams in there eating up blocks,hopefully that’ll stop.I think the guy has 2-3 good years left and will be a great impacted leader (like Dawk is) and Baker and Fields will have a great NT to learn some techniques from,it’s a no-brainer,Williams was a great pickup for us,and I think it will pay off big time this tear.
BFE
Now Williams gets me excited! I think he is gonna be brutal on the line for us! I’m like you all! He will be a huge impact to younger players while being a steller performer on the field for the next few years!!! He is a great pick up, similar to Dawkins last year! Dawkins was one of the best moves if not the best IMO last year! Just lit a fire in that secondary! Now we got it on the Line too and have the league leading Sacker in the LB core!!!!! Top 5 Defense this year!!!! Believe it!
I am pumped about are D this year. Was really excited when we got Dawkin’s last year, he brought a spark back to the secondary that seemed to have slowly fizzled away after J.Lynch’s departure ( I think). Hoping he (J.W.) can stay healthy all season and show the younger guys how it’s done.
C’mon August, hurry up and get here. Want me some Bronco’s football.
Yeah papa-pwn. I like your analogy on Dawkins and Williams. Williams may just turn out to be the best off season pick up this year. Having a quality, experienced NT is a key factor to success of a 3-4 defense, and having knowledge of what San Diego does on defense can’t hurt us either. I see this defense as much improved over last year. JW was a GREAT pick up. Let’s see if Wink can put it all together now. This defense is potentially one of the best this year.
Gotta agree, the only thing that has be pumped about the broncos, THIS year, is the defense Cause I feel we will be sub par through the air (Orton no Marshall = I dunno) and the running game is still a quesition even tho I am expecting Moreno to break out. I also like the Williams comparison, people often forget what the physical prescense of a guy like Dawk and Williams can do for Morale and getting pumped. The intangible stuff. I also believe we will be a top 5 defense. The only thing that might hold us back is “Wink” since we don’t know anything about him as a Defensive Coordinator. Cuz the players have improved but we might have taken a step down in coaching form Nolan. TRB out.
We all know Williams has been a great player throughout his career in the NFL. Will he have enough gas left in the tank to play hard the whole season and how much will the altitude affect his play at his size throughout the season. He’s gonna have to be in great shape to perform at the high level he has in the past. I hope for him and the Broncos , not to mention us fans, that he has a great season and leads the defense to a stellar performance for 19 games! Go Broncos!
+1 with Williams. DL leader with youth, Baker, to lean on.
Mike Nolan started us out great, 6-0, then started to think about not losing instead of winning. IMO that is why he is gone. Martindale is an attack type LB coach and I do not see him changing that as DC.
Williams is correct in that each position has a ‘player’ now gel into a unit.
I never thought of it like that DLMyers, but in a way that does seem how the defense ended up playing at the end of the season. offensivly a bit as well.
I think that this team in general will put nay sayers in their place tho. I have full confidence in Orton. i think he is a top 15 QB minimum. I think the biggest fear for the team will end up being the offensive line, due to injurys and inexperience. but if they can hold off the defense then Orton is a smart decision maker who can get the ball to his receivers. I saw some throws he made last season with a lot of zip to it. I hoping the offseason talk of the offense incorporating a more downfield attack is true, because i think that Orton is going to surprise some people this year. I’m not worried about the WR’s as much… especially after seeing the pictures of Thomas. I could barely tell him apart from Marshall in terms of size and strength. He seems like a very smart guy from what ive heard to, so i think he will be able to make a solid impact his rookie year. At least 700 yds, 4 Tds minimum. I’m looking for Royal and mostly Gaffney to have a break out season. Royal is the new Welker!
The defense as a whole is defiantly looking like a top 5. Broncos no doubt have a top 5 secondary with Champ, Dawkins, and Goodmen. with solid depth. and the LB’s are very solid with DJ, Haggans, and Doom. I think even tho Ayers was in the dog house for a bit, he will still have a break out season. McD knew he had something to bring to the table if he was going to use a 1st rounder on him, and i think this year will be the year we see that, while the other LB’s are getting double teamed. and of course the Dline is a top 15 and mabey even top 10 line. Williams is younger that Pat Williams of the Vikings yet he still contributes solid plays at his age. And the key to the 3-4 definatly is the NT position. Bannan and Green add size to the ends, and if they cant get it done, you know Doom and DJ will. Plus the solid depth from all our starters last year will keep the veterans rested enough to play at a high level whenever their on the field. So im looking for at least 10 wins from this team! As long as everyone stays healthly… at least the starters.
Hey Baylin I saw you mention the DP on one of the other blogs. What’s your name up there?
Ruc, before here I used to be on the RMN under the same handle as the blogging crowd there was not quite as Bronco destructive as on the DP. So I really don’t post much on the DP at all, the last time was to unload on Woody for one of the times that he made a complete 180 on an issue without even giving it a second thought or an explanation. Wherever I post it’s always under baylinorcrush, but I’ve been called bay, baylin, baylino and much worse, LOL.
And as far as Williams, as I’ve said many times since the hire this was a great move and he will anchor that D up front like no one else has done in recent memory, so I’m all excited about the D. The O not so much, it’s hard to care about the weapons we got when we have an O line made mainly of starters coming off major surgeries and brand new rookies. That is what will decide how we will do offensively, the O line, not the weapons, but the guys in the trenches who make it possible for the weapons to have their day. Very concerned over the O line to say the least because as a unit it is the hardest one to gel quickly in football. We have a plate full there to digest with the O line before I can get excited about the “weapons”. This season will be riding on the performance of the O line, I have no doubt about that, just my opinion.
When I first heard Jamal was coming to town, it didn’t take long to see the writing on the wall, as Coach Nunnely joined us last year from SD. Initially had some concerns on his previous injuries, but that’s was discussed here on the website, when he was signed. As a Charger, he was always a thorn at our side and was great against the run. I’m looking forward to watching Jamal have a productive year wearing the orange and blue. It’s great for him to have a new start with a D-line Coach who knows what he brings to the table. Williams should do well tying up the Center and strongside Guard from the NT position. Sounds like he’s pumped and ready to go ! Thanks for sharing your interview with him Mike!
So Mike, with “here is the beef” part one it was Bannan, part two is J. Williams, part 3 must be J. Green, am I warm?
JW…Awesome addition!!!! I’m SOOOOO stoked 4 the season 2 start…..When Denver plays SD in Jan 2011…I WILL B THERE!!!!!! Broncos 4 Life!!!!
With Jamal Williams stepping in at NT it reminds me of when Neil Smith came in to play DE during our SUPERBOWL YEARS. Smith of course came from the AFC West KC Chiefs and was a thorn in ELWAY`S side, but then came to the lite. With Williams coming to DENVER it has that same feel. Jamal has always been a thorn against our beloved BRONCO`S, and has come to the lite. Sign DOOM!!!$$$$$$$$
“PAY DOOM”
J Will had a year off which has to freshen the body and mind. He will be in there on 1st and 2nd downs whle resting in the nick and dime D. Plus J Will has 2 or 3 players that can help to keep him fresh as well as those others will stay fresh. There was no way we could have gotten so deep at the D-line if not for McGenius signing the new “3″. Mc Genius identified the weakness and did something about it RIGHT NOW! I love the signing of the new “3″ with the old starters becoming backups, no late season 150 or betters. With J Will and buddies and the easier games this year, we all know theres playoffs for the Orange and Blue. Top 5 Defense, without question imo.
Bay, I ‘m with you about the O-line but I think and thats just me that the O-line will jell quickly enuff to let #27 get his 1,000 12 TD and Orton to make the PROBOWL. Feels like my opinion starting to drool all over the keyboard and i’m typing in my own spit but anyway the O-line jells and the “WEAPONS” are used. Just a drooling man with a who cares opinion.
Go Broncos!!!
Well of course wearearm, after all you ARE the “we need weapons” dude, wouldn’t expect any less from you, LOL.
Strandofts, very good analogy to the J. Williams signing having some ressemblance to the Neil Smith signing. Neil was instrumental in our road to the top.
Thanks Bay. It just has that same feel. Jamal is gonna have a huge impact I think. And as far as the O-line, I`m optimistic that the line will jell together, but I hear ya with the injury`s and the rookie`s that there`s a lot of uncertainty there.
so what’s the beef with Champ? just read in USA today: Agent: Pro Bowl CB Champ Bailey ‘disappointed’ with lack of contract talk from Denver Broncos, add that to the controversy with “Doom” and you have to wonder, what’s going on with management and our pro bowlers?
baylinorcrush…it could be that a third installment of “Here’s The Beef” is set for release in the next couple of days. But I also have a couple of other candidates.
Any requests from you all…part three or mystery interview?
Mike
Mike, maybe we should talk of some of the beef we need up front, like Beadles or Walton. In my eyes these two guys could be instrumental to our success this year, it would be very interesting to hear their take on it.
Anyway that would be my request, thanks very much for asking.
baylinorcrush…you’re welcome. I loved your request but I haven’t yet had a chance to track down any of the new offensive linemen!
I just posted the newest installment. Hopefully, you’ll get to know one of the Broncos’ newest running backs a little better.
Happy 4th to all!
Mike
Maybe you could to an installment about how all of our Draft picks from last year are doing coming into their second season, Moreno, ayers, richard quinn, etc. Thanks Mike , and GO BRONCOS