Gas2No99 Posted June 16, 2016 Share Posted June 16, 2016 Big expectations for Big Cat Leonard Williams in 2016 Leonard Williams says he expects big things from himself in his second season, but won't target a specific number of sacks. "I wouldn't want to limit myself," he said. AP Photo/Gary Wiepert Kieran DarcyESPN Staff Writer FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- New York Jets fans have reason to be concerned about the Muhammad Wilkerson situation. But they also have reason to be excited about the Leonard "Big Cat" Williams situation. The second-year defensive lineman, Mel Kiper Jr.'s choice as NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year last season, is expecting bigger things from himself in 2016. "I got to the quarterback a lot last year, but they were just hits, those aren't the stats I'm looking for," Williams said Wednesday, the second day of the Jets' mandatory three-day minicamp. "I want to get sacks. Those little seconds matter, getting to the quarterback. "So I've been doing a lot of work during the offseason on my pass rushing and stuff like that, and I just feel more comfortable being a pro, playing in the NFL now with that year under my belt. So I'm just looking forward to my second year." He's not the only one. Pepper Johnson, the Jets' defensive line coach, spoke highly of Williams on Wednesday. "He's physically capable of being one of the better defensive linemen in the league," Johnson said. Williams had only three sacks last season, which may seem paltry given he was the sixth overall pick in the draft. But he made a much bigger impact than that number would indicate. Here are a couple more numbers for you, courtesy of ESPN Stats & Information: Williams played the third-most snaps among defensive tackles in the league, behind only Ndamukong Suh (917) and Aaron Donald (862). Plus the Jets' defense performed significantly better when he was on the field, allowing 4.8 yards per play when he was out there versus 5.9 yards when he was not. And he has learned from his rookie season. "One thing that I've been working on is just getting off the ball and working on the edge," Williams said. "I got away in college with just going down the middle of a guy a lot of times cause I out-physicaled them and I tried to do that last year and I realized you can't do that in this league." Williams spent some time back at USC this offseason, working out with former college teammates and assistant defensive line coach Pete Jenkins. Johnson likes what he's seen so far. "He actually matured a lot," Johnson said. "I'm not saying he was a kid when he came in ... but he has taken it to another level. I'm not going to handcuff him and I'm sure [head coach] Todd [Bowles] and [defensive coordinator] Kacy [Rodgers] aren't going to handcuff him. Hopefully, the world is his." The Jets would certainly miss Wilkerson if they don't have him on the field come September. The Pro Bowl defensive end hasn't signed his franchise-tag tender and might not report for the start of training camp, unhappy he doesn't have a long-term contract. But Williams is a player to watch, a potential star in the making, who's aiming for more sacks this season, and that's not all. "I never really set myself to a certain number, cause I can always exceed that number, so I wouldn't want to limit myself," Williams said. "I just want to pick up my numbers overall -- more [tackles for loss], more sacks, more tackles, everything." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike135 Posted June 16, 2016 Share Posted June 16, 2016 With big expectations from Williams and Sheldon looking great... would it be the worst thing to have Wilk sit out the season? We'd save 15mil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kleckineau Posted June 16, 2016 Share Posted June 16, 2016 I thought Shaun Ellis was Big Cat? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetster Posted June 16, 2016 Share Posted June 16, 2016 No way in hell Wilkerson sits out the season, he's playing for his next contract. They all come in eventually. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatsFanTX Posted June 16, 2016 Share Posted June 16, 2016 No way in hell Wilkerson sits out the season, he's playing for his next contract. They all come in eventually. Exactly, he's not walking away from $15.7MM. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drdetroit Posted June 16, 2016 Share Posted June 16, 2016 7 minutes ago, Jetster said: No way in hell Wilkerson sits out the season, he's playing for his next contract. They all come in eventually. Ofcourse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jet Nut Posted June 16, 2016 Share Posted June 16, 2016 9 hours ago, Mike135 said: With big expectations from Williams and Sheldon looking great... would it be the worst thing to have Wilk sit out the season? We'd save 15mil. Why on earth would he sit out? He's not sitting out. And why would anyone think we'll be better without him? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PepPep Posted June 16, 2016 Share Posted June 16, 2016 Regardless of the Wilk contract situation, its looking like we will have one nasty defense this year. Should be fun to watch. Especially if Milliner all of a sudden turns into the top 10 draft pick stud CB we thought he would be and Lee and Jenkins aren't complete busts. Its early, but so far, its looking good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mainejet Posted June 16, 2016 Share Posted June 16, 2016 This is the one young player that I look at and think this guy is going straight up. It remains to be seen if any of Mac's draft picks are worth anything, but it's pretty obvious Leonard Williams is a no brainer to be getting better. This is an area for optimism with Jets fans, not that there is for anything else.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Villain The Foe Posted June 16, 2016 Share Posted June 16, 2016 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PepPep Posted June 16, 2016 Share Posted June 16, 2016 5 minutes ago, Mainejet said: This is the one young player that I look at and think this guy is going straight up. It remains to be seen if any of Mac's draft picks are worth anything, but it's pretty obvious Leonard Williams is a no brainer to be getting better. This is an area for optimism with Jets fans, not that there is for anything else.... Pryor, Richardson, and Mauldin could also be put o that list-IMO. Pryor had a nice bounce-back season after being moved back to his natural position in the box. Richardson has already proven he is an impact player having won ROTY honors. Mauldin got better the more opportunities he got. Hopefully Jenkins, Lee, Amaro, D.Smith and even Hack prove their worth- but that is yet to be seen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JiFtheOracle Posted June 16, 2016 Share Posted June 16, 2016 This dude is going to be sooooo good... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Savage69 Posted June 16, 2016 Share Posted June 16, 2016 8 hours ago, Kleckineau said: I thought Shaun Ellis was Big Cat? Maybe Leo can spell it Kat?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gas2No99 Posted June 16, 2016 Author Share Posted June 16, 2016 8 hours ago, Kleckineau said: I thought Shaun Ellis was Big Cat? Ellis was the "Big Katt" with a K & Double T. Williams is Big Cat, and he kinda looks like one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RutgersJetFan Posted June 16, 2016 Share Posted June 16, 2016 What a lame attempt at a double entendre for a headline. They couldn't come up with something better? So many possibilities... Leonard Williams Feline Like Living Up to Nickname Williams Looking to Make Me Puma Pants With Improved Pass Rushing Big Cat Knows the Time is Meow Williams Looking to Cause some Furbulance with Jets in 2017 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kleckineau Posted June 16, 2016 Share Posted June 16, 2016 1 hour ago, RutgersJetFan said: What a lame attempt at a double entendre for a headline. They couldn't come up with something better? So many possibilities... Leonard Williams Feline Like Living Up to Nickname Williams Looking to Make Me Puma Pants With Improved Pass Rushing Big Cat Knows the Time is Meow Williams Looking to Cause some Furbulance with Jets in 2017 Ahemmm..... Think you forgot The Killer Feline of the Jets D-line ready to maul opponents? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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