Don’t be surprised if the hype builds in a hurry around Redskins rookie left tackle Trent Williams. The No. 4 overall pick was expected to be as raw as war spelled backwards after spending just one somewhat unimpressive season at left tackle while at Oklahoma. But so far, Williams has given the Redskins every reason to trust the protection on Donovan McNabb’s blind side.
Williams wasn’t spectacular in pass protection against Dallas, but he held his own against DeMarcus Ware. Noteworthy was that the Redskins gave him little to no help most of the night. How many players have ever been tasked with blocking a perennial Pro Bowler one-on-one in their NFL debut?
In the ground game, Williams’ stunning athleticism was evident, particularly when he got out in front on a Chris Cooley screen pass.
"Trent Williams is, bar none, the best athlete as an offensive lineman that I've seen since I've been in the league," Cooley said on the 106.7’s The LaVar Arrington Show with Chad Dukes. "The guy can move. It was funny: we were in Phoenix; none of us played, we just went out and ran, and then all the receivers ran routes with the quarterbacks. Trent Williams went out and ran routes with us. The dude can run routes. He's probably as fast as me."
As if blocking Ware wasn’t enough, the rookie gets to face Mario Williams in Week 2. There is speculation, however, that the Texans might align their star defensive end on the left side more often than usual, in order to create a mismatch against Jammal Brown. Brown is a two-time Pro Bowler (granted, he’s relatively new at the right tackle position). It would speak volumes if the Texans do elect a Williams-on-Brown matchup over a Williams-on-Williams matchup.
Either way, the Skins should be pleased. Chris Samuels is gone, but it looks like it we didn't have to wait long to see a new star left tackle in burgundy and gold.
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