ASHBURN – The more Chris Foerster watched Trent Williams, the more he saw him do things that others could not. And the easier it was for him to picture Williams doing the same things with the Redskins.
The Redskins wanted a tackle who could: get on the edge, block linebackers, pull, and recover from bad spots because of his quick feet.
Williams gives them someone who has: gotten on the edge, blocked linebackers, pulled and recovered from bad spots because of his quick feet.
“He’s a tremendous athlete,” said Foerster, the Redskins’ offensive line coach.
Which is why the Redskins wanted him, hoping to plug him into the lineup at left tackle. Though some pundits, scouts and experts are concerned about his work ethic, there is no worry about his athleticism.
“The list goes on,” Foerster said. “The better the athlete, the better the footspeed, the better the quickness, the easier those things become. Now, there’s still the skill set that has to go with that athletic ability. But he’s very, very impressive that way. … There’s just a lot of things that stand out.”
Williams spent just one year at left tackle at Oklahoma, after playing three years at right tackle. He said that he played with several nagging injuries, including both ankles and his hips.
“I played the majority of the season around 60 percent,” he said.
He also admitted that he didn’t work as hard as he could have for his entire college career. Hence the knocks.
“I know that I hadn’t given my all 100 percent my first couple years,” he said. “But there’s always room for change and to get better. I kept that in mind and worked hard to get better.”
With Williams on board, the Redskins’ line now is taking shape, with center Cory Raymer and left guard Derrick Dockery. Artis Hicks could end up as the right tackle, leaving only right guard undetermined.
And if Williams has his wish, his career will mirror that of perennial Pro Bowl Seattle tackle Walter Jones.
“I want to be mentioned in the same breath as Walter when it’s all said and done,” Williams said. “I know it’s a long journey, but I play this game to be the best, so that’s what I’m willing to do.”
