Roughriders Shomari Williams ready for larger role

With change comes opportunity and the opportunity is there for Shomari Williams after the Saskatchewan Roughriders traded defensive end Luc Mullinder on Monday.

Williams, the 2010 CFL first overall draft pick, has wanted the chance to show he's capable of handling a larger responsibility within the Roughriders defense. Mullinder being shipped to Montreal is a sign the powers that be believe now is that time.

“I've worked hard to earn the reps. It's good that the coaches have recognized that and have given me the opportunity here. It doesn't really change anything or the way I prepare. It's just now I have a lot more opportunity to make plays on the field and I have to do that.”

Growth spurt

Williams saw limited time on defense in his rookie season but this season he's becoming a larger part of the rotation at defensive end.

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“He gets better every day and he does whatever we tell him to do. Like a defensive player, he runs around and makes things happen. He knows how to run to the ball. He's always around the ball and it's only a matter of time before he comes into his own and becomes a really good player,” explained defensive line coach Mike Walker after Tuesday's practice.

A big reason for Williams' improvement is his dedication off the field, tweeting (@sho99_) at 7:30am on Tuesday morning, “watching film before I head to practice.”

“He's always asking questions,” Walker continued, “He stays out late sometimes and works on things he needs to work on. He wants it.”

A special player

The one area that's been able to keep Williams on the Roughriders radar has been his play on special teams. Williams is leading the team in special teams tackles this season and his play in the third phase of the game will make it difficult to play Williams full time along the defensive line.

“He's such a good special teams player and we're trying to find a spot that somebody can help him out there. So right now we're just going to rotate him in (at defensive end).”

An elusive first

The one statistic missing from Williams' bio is a sack. Williams' ability to get to the quarterback at Queen's University was a big factor in the Roughriders decision to trade up to pick Williams first overall last season.

His line coach made a significant guarantee, “He's going to get it this game. He was there last weekend, he had his chance and that's how it works. The first two or three years they are hard to come by but once he gets that first one he's just going to take off.”

If he gets to Henry Burris on Friday, Williams isn't quite sure if he's got a celebration ready, “It's to be seen. You can have something choreographed and you get too excited and never end up doing it so I don't know what I'm going to do.”

One thing is for sure. Williams will get a heavier workload and with that, more opportunities to get his elusive first career sack.

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