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Cary Williams has played two preseason games, and he now has two interceptions.
Last week against the Panthers, after the first pick, Williams told reporters that he would take his next interception back for a touchdown.
No dice. A 37-yard return was all the second-year cornerback could put together this time.
"Did I say that? I'm sorry," Williams when reminded of his touchdown vow. "It's part of the game. I didn't have that chance. Maybe I just need to follow my blocks a little bit more."
Williams didn't reach the end zone, but he can't be too upset after putting together his second straight impressive outing. The highlight was obviously the interception, which came when Williams jumped in front of Redskins wide receiver Santana Moss to snare a Donovan McNabb pass down the middle of the field.
"Santana Moss was running a post," Williams said of the play. "He tried to widen me out a little bit and come back underneath me. I stayed over top and the ball was a little underthrown. I guess Donovan was trying to give the guy an advantage on the ball because of my position. And I just came down, seen it, and intercepted it. Tried to run as fast as I could."
Williams didn't get the start last night; Fabian Washington and Travis Fisher were the two cornerbacks on the field with the first-team defense on the opening drive of the game.
But Williams outperformed the veteran Fisher, and with Washington and Chris Carr still coming back from knee and hamstring injuries, respectively, Williams might be called upon to get some extensive playing time in the next two preseason contests.
That's something the Washburn product says he's ready for.
"If it comes to that, yeah, I'm ready," Williams said. "But I know I have to grow as a player, I have to mature as a player. I'm going to prepare like I'm a starter so that Sunday I can go out there and help my team win."
Williams will be suspended for the first two games of the regular season for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy, which obviously is a negative factor as the cornerback battles for a roster spot. But Williams has worked hard this offseason and throughout training camp, and as he continues to perform well in games, a spot on the 53-man roster is looking much more likely.
"I'm never satisfied, I'm never content with where I'm at," Williams said. "Although those interceptions are great and it feels great to get interceptions, I still have things I need to improve on. I'm not the perfect corner. I'm not Darrell Revis by any means. And that's the standard right now. Him and Nnamdi Asomugha, those guys are the standard.
"I'm just going to go out there and take it one day at a time and try to learn something each day, become a sponge, and try to improve my game each day."
