What Lessons Were Learned From Sam Williams’ Costly Special Teams Penalty?

The Dallas Cowboys‘ loss to the Buffalo Bills on Sunday was largely because of multiple untimely penalties.

Sam Williams Learns From a Costly Mistake

The Bills capitalized on three costly penalties to outscore the Cowboys 31-10. One of the game’s turning points was a 15-yard roughing the kicker penalty in the first quarter against DE Sam Williams on a Bills’ 4th-and-8.

The issue with Williams’ play during the punt was that he jumped and landed on Buffalo’s punter, Sam Martin.

Because of this, the Bills got the first down at their own 41-yard line and eventually drove down the field to give them a 14-point lead early in the second quarter.

Cowboys special teams coordinator John Fassel says his advice to Williams on that play was to stay lower. 

“On a punt block, you gotta stay lower,” said Fassel. He added, “Keep your hands together and go for the punter’s foot.”

Fassel said that Williams got cut so loose that he thinks he panicked at that moment. Still, the coach also understands the consequences that came with the penalty.

While this is Williams’ second season with the Cowboys, it’s his first working as the team’s gunner. This opportunity for Williams came after special-teams ace C.J. Goodwin was put on injured reserve for a season-ending pectoral muscle tear.

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Fassel is aware that Williams has never played as a gunner before, but he said the edge rusher has been a good student of the game.

“He’s just come to the point where his speed and his strength are huge assets. The game within the game is still growing,” said Fassel.

The coach also said that he asked Williams to do what he is best at, which is rush, and although it hurt the team in this game, it worked out well in Week 9 against the Los Angeles Rams.

Cowboys block the punt for a safety!

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“He’s fascinating in a physical and mental way. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every second coaching him, and there’s a lot more I can do,” said Fassel.

The coach discussed this play being one he called during his time with the Rams in 2018, which led to a blocked punt from Cory Littleton against the San Francisco 49ers.

Fassel sent Williams this video on Saturday and said the second-year player watched the clip multiple times.

The difference in how Williams’ arms were positioned during the play was a costly penalty instead of a blocked punt. Fassel says he hopes Williams will learn from this, adding that he did as a coach as well. He admitted that it was the wrong call to make at the time, but he thought at the moment that it was a chance to make a big play.

Finding a Balance With Williams

Williams is the second-most penalized player on the Cowboys’ roster, having seven so far this season. A balance is needed to use Williams’ strength, speed, and power but also avoid costly mistakes.

Fassel says Williams’ greatest strength is his play style, which makes it hard for opposing teams to block at the gunner position. But there is a fine line between not allowing him to lose his edge or continuing to play with that edge and taking some consequences from mistakes along the way. 

“That’s my fight, and I’m very willing to fight with him because I much [rather] have him on my team than on somebody else’s team,” said Fassel. 

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