Darious Williams makes business decisions against 49ers' Trent Williams
Even when not operating at 100 percent, Trent Williams in the open field is a worrying sight for any defender, not least a cornerback on the wrong end of a substantial size difference. As such, Darious Williams' response to the San Francisco 49ers' All-Pro left tackle pulling up the left sideline to block for Christian […]
Even when not operating at 100 percent, Trent Williams in the open field is a worrying sight for any defender, not least a cornerback on the wrong end of a substantial size difference.
As such, Darious Williams' response to the San Francisco 49ers' All-Pro left tackle pulling up the left sideline to block for Christian McCaffrey in the Niners' 34-3 rout of the Jacksonville Jaguars was completely understandable.
He was faced with that prospect late in the second quarter as his monstrous namesake attempted to spring McCaffrey on a toss to the outside that picked up 12 yards.
Instead of engaging in the likely futile task of trying to take on the 10-time Pro Bowler's block and in all probability end up on the turf, the former Los Angeles Rams defensive back took evasive action, essentially turning and running the other way and allowing the best left tackle in the game to escort him to the sideline.
Later in the third quarter, the corner made the exact same decision in the same situation as Deebo Samuel scooted into the endzone for a 23-yard touchdown on an end around to put the 49ers up 27-3.
It was a reaction that most people on the street would take, though seeing it from an NFL defender greatly bemused the 49ers' lineman, making his return after missing two games with an ankle injury.
Asked if he saw Samuel coming round the edge, Trent Williams replied: "No. It's kind of weird because 31 turned around and ran. I ain't never seen that.
"I knew he was close because I could just tell the reaction of the guy in front of me. But anytime — I feel so comfortable with 23 [McCaffrey] and 19 out there in the open field. I just got to get in the way long enough for them to make a decision, and once 19 gets a head of steam, it's really tough to bring him down."
It's harder to bring them down when they have a left tackle blessed with freakish athleticism leading the way. Trent Williams went into the weekend described by head coach Kyle Shanahan as "real questionable" despite practicing in a limited capacity on Thursday and Friday.
Pressed for an assessment on his condition coming out of the game, he said: "I don't think I took a step back. Definitely didn't get any better, but I think — close to 75, 80 percent. I think I'm still around there."
Not even close to 100 percent, one of the most important players on the 49ers' roster still has a little way to go in his recovery. When he gets there, he'll be an even more formidable foe for defenders whom he could force into more business decisions that are pretty difficult to critique.
49ers open as heavy favorites for Week 11 clash with the Buccaneers
They’re expected to roll.
