Williams eager to smash, crash and flash
3.24.2009 Williams blocking unidentifiable teammate during The Mahoning Valley Thunder practice at the Chevey Centre on Tuesday March 25, 2009.
The former Boilermaker is the only player to take part in all 16 games for Mahoning Valley last year.
YOUNGSTOWN — Flash, Smash, Crash, Impress, Sky Cloud, Man.
That’s some of the lexicon used by Mahoning Valley Thunder defensive backs as they ply their trade for the af2 team’s 2009 season.
“It might sound like jibberish, but it makes sense to us,” Ray Williams said of himself and three other defensive backs with the Valley’s af2 team.
“I’m excited to be back and excited about the new group of guys and our potential to win games,” Williams said of this year’s Thunder players.
“We’re a different group and, athletic-wise, we’re way better than last year. The demeanor of the guys is way different. I’m ready to go.”
Those are encouraging statements that may go a long way in forecasting a winning season for Mahoning Valley, which finished 3-13 in 2008.
Unique might be a word to describe Williams, who is the only returning player to see action in all 16 Thunder games last season.
The 6-foot-3, 204-pound Williams was an af2 rookie in 2008 when he had 44 tackles, 13 pass break-ups, one interception, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, one blocked kick and two catches resulting in 30 yards and a score.
Williams is also upbeat about the addition of first-year defensive backs coach Nick Ward.
“He’s helped me with staying low on my breaks and catching the ball. We like his style of coaching,” said Williams.
At Purdue, Ray was the recipient of the team’s Leonard Wilson Award for unselfishness and dedication.
The 25-year-old Williams was in training camp with the New Orleans Saints in 2006, then had other professional experience with the Edmonton Eskimos (CFL) in 2007 and the New Orleans Voodoo (AFL) in 2008.
Although Williams would like to get interceptions and return them for touchdowns every defensive play, he can’t be greedy.
Instead, he’s going to be ready and play steady.
“I’m ready to hit somebody and come up with a win and celebrate,” Williams said, exuding supreme confidence in his abilities.
In preparation for games, Ray said — despite playing for the Voodoo — he doesn’t perform any rituals.
“I approach every game the same: go out there and do my best and fly around and leave everything on the field,” he said.
To make plays, the former Boilermaker said he relies on instinct and his physical abilities.
“Nine times out of 10, the people I’m lined up against are smaller than me or they’re the same size. My thing is being physical and fighting all game.”
At preseason camp’s end last Saturday, the Thunder had five defensive backs: Williams, Jamar Landrom, Montae Bailey, Clarence Curry and Brandon Taylor.
But the team is down to four after Bailey was released Tuesday.
Although Bailey is gone from the defensive backfield, Williams still insists that the remaining position players will give receivers all they could handle.
“We’re all on the same page and ready for whatever’s thrown at us,” he said.
Later Tuesday, the league validated Mahoning Valley’s signing of C.J. Brewer, a wide receiver who had been with the San Francisco 49ers.
Coach Mike Hold said the move to release Bailey was a loss in one area and a gain in another.
“We felt we had enough talent with four defensive backs,” Hold said, nothing that only three are on the field at one time.
“It’s unfortunate because Montae is a good player and we like him, but we felt like we needed to have depth at other positions and we felt like four defensive backs was enough depth. So, we chose to go with some depth at wide receiver,” he added.
Brewer’s inclusion brings the team’s wide receiver count to five.
bassetti@vindy.com