• March 19, 2024

Eagles Must Consider Benching Cary Williams For Brandon Boykin

CaryWilliams21Eagles’ cornerback Cary Williams has been one of the team’s weakest links through four games.

On Opening Day, Williams gave up two long touchdowns to undrafted rookie receiver Allen Hurns, helping give the Jacksonville Jaguars a double-digit first half lead.

In Week 3, Williams was burned for an 81-yard touchdown by DeSean Jackson to tie the game at 27. It was one of the biggest plays in the game, and one that temporarily shifted momentum to the favor of the Redskins.

Last week against San Francisco, Williams played what was easily his worst game as an Eagle. He was constantly victimized in both the passing and running game. He gave up several big plays, including the touchdown pass to Stevie Johnson, and a key third and long reception to Michael Crabtree which set up another score. He refused to play aggressive in his run support, moving away from blockers instead of taking them head on and allowing Frank Gore to have several long outside runs. He also was flagged for at least one key penalty which extended a San Francisco drive. Throughout the game, it didn’t even look like he was running hard.

The Eagles need have Williams on a short leash, and must be prepared to seriously consider benching him in favor of Brandon Boykin.

Boykin has excelled in his role as the slot cornerback, and the Eagles owe it to themselves (and Boykin) to find out what he can do in a larger role.

I know Billy Davis and the Eagles would prefer to keep Boykin in his current role, but the reality is that he’s one of this team’s best defensive playmakers, and this unit needs to have their best guys on the field for as many snaps as possible.

However, the Eagles need to find out just how good Boykin really is. The way they’re playing him right now, the former fourth-round pick is almost sure to leave the team for a better opportunity as soon as his contract is up. Boykin wants to start, and it won’t be hard for him to find a team that recognizes his talent, and shells out the money necessary to give him that chance. The Eagles won’t pay top dollar for a role player, but if they can find out now whether or not Boykin can handle the greater responsibility, they can determine whether or not he’s worth top dollar.

The Eagles know what Cary Williams is at this point. He’s an average starter at best, and a guy who is currently both talking and playing his way to a ticket out of town at the end of the season. If the Eagles want their defense to hit its maximum potential, they’ve got to accept that Boykin must get an opportunity to start at some point.

Denny Basens

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tua14768
tua14768
October 3, 2014 7:32 am

I agree that Boykin should be a starter at this point. He deserves the opportunity. I disagree that the touchdown given up to Desean was on Williams. There was no pass rush or no help from Nate Allen. That’s Williams was so angry after the play. However, Williams’ play against San Fran was terrible.

I like his attitude, but not his play.

eagles0superbowls
eagles0superbowls
October 3, 2014 8:14 am

after week 3 when Cary cried about his legs being tired from practice the compromise was Williams was removed from all special team coverage units for the 49er game. So Williams only plays cornerback now.

coldbrewski
coldbrewski
October 3, 2014 9:13 am

Denny c’mon man. As much as I don’t care for “Crying” Williams and as bad as he looked the 49ers game, let’s not make him the scapegoat for all things that ail the defense. Besides where has Boykin shown he was proficient other than as a slot corner? Wasn’t free agent pick up Carroll brought in to compete on the outside as well as adding depth? Until Jenkins acquisition, safety play was by far and away worst than corner. And until recently (Cox), dline line play in regards to pressure and sacks was abysmal.

mhenski
mhenski
October 3, 2014 9:17 am

i agree with you in that cary williams is shit. BUT Nolan Carrol should get the shot as he is best suited for that roll

paulman
paulman
October 3, 2014 10:56 am
Reply to  mhenski

I agree — Play Fletcher & Carroll on the Outside and keep Boykin as the Slot CB.. Get Jaylen Watkins up to Speed as a Nickle CB and also get him some reps at Safety to replace Nate Allen/Earl Wolff

BigE
BigE
October 3, 2014 9:27 am

I agree. Boykin is too small to play the outside corner. Carrol has the size.

mhenski
mhenski
October 3, 2014 9:54 am
Reply to  BigE

yes he does BigE. and based on all training camp reports he was a ball hawk and defending everything that came his way with ease… wish i knew why they wont make a move. cary may be the worst cb1 in the nfl

paulman
paulman
October 3, 2014 12:12 pm
Reply to  mhenski

Remember Mhenski, those Summer reports of Carroll were coming against WR’s of the likes of A Benn, I Momah, B Smith, D Johnson, Q Patton, etc,etc and not Legitmate NFL Quality Receivers..

Epidemic
Epidemic
October 3, 2014 10:41 am

I completely agree with the assessment of Williams. I also agree Boykin should be starting. But who replaces in the slot? Williams? Carroll? The Eagles were banking on Carroll to step up but I don’t think he has. Very poor planning on the Eagles at the CB position. Williams would be killed if he played in the slot.

paulman
paulman
October 3, 2014 11:06 am
Reply to  Epidemic

Fletcher is a Free-Agent after this Season
Carey Williams will get released due to his Big Salary
Boykin’s Contract is up so lots of changes ahead for the Eagles Secondary

You figure the Eagles Re-Sign Boykins, and have Carroll and Jaylen Watkins under Contract, then what ??

jbird
jbird
October 3, 2014 11:47 am
Reply to  paulman

Top FA on the market in March is CB1, Carroll CB2, Boykin CB3, Watkins CB4, Late rd pick (5th-7th) CB5. What are thinking for the first rd this year? ILB? OLB? FS?

jbird
jbird
October 3, 2014 10:58 am

This season has been so frustrating from the defense. This is what always happens with the Eagles. Two guys get better, two guys get worse. This year, Kendricks was ready to explode onto the national scene as one of the league’s best ILBs. Now he is going to miss a quarter of the season. Cox and Logan have improved and Jenkins was a major upgrade. Then the flipside. Williams and Fletcher have declined. Cole and Ryans continue their slow decline and lately Nate Allen suddenly looks like, well, Nate Allen. He bites on everything and is continuously out of position. Its too bad Wolff is way too inconsistent to take his spot.

mhenski
mhenski
October 3, 2014 11:13 am
Reply to  jbird

I disagree with “Williams and Fletcher have declined”, they were total shit last year and they remain shit this year.

jbird
jbird
October 3, 2014 11:33 am
Reply to  mhenski

They played better last year. They were mediocre. This year they are shit. First order of FA is the top FA corner on the market if they want to take a the next step towards the SB.

jbird
jbird
October 3, 2014 11:04 am

Boykin has to get a shot on the outside. He might not be as good as he is in the slot but he would be significantly better than the guys we have. What does it tell you that Watkins can’t even get on the active list with this group of slop.What a busted ass draft. Marcus Smith absolutely sucks. All he does is make big mistakes whenever he gets in a game. The media was absolutely right. He was a second or third round pick. He will never be a star player in this league. Aside from Mathews and potentially Beau Allen this draft was trash. The inability to do better in the draft is going to be the reason Kelly doesn’t win a SB. You can’t get one or two good players from every draft. You have to have a few drafts like 2012 to get to the mountain top.

IzzellJenkins
IzzellJenkins
October 3, 2014 12:43 pm

It’s only showing that this team has more holes than can be fixed in just one off season.

gloomysmitty
gloomysmitty
October 3, 2014 2:39 pm

Jaruis Byrd has been placed on season ending IR and is out for the year I guess howie made the right choice.

paulman
paulman
October 3, 2014 3:00 pm
Reply to  gloomysmitty

I told anyone who wanted to listen last Spring that Jarius Byrd was injury prone and to stay far, far away from Signing him… I hate to hear it for his sake, but glad the Eagles did not seriously pursue him….

Sorry DCar, but your main Man, Jarius Byrd, is on the IR list again ..

IzzellJenkins
IzzellJenkins
October 3, 2014 3:05 pm

NFL Films senior producer Greg Cosell opined that Byrd might be “playing the worst” of any safety in the NFL this season, pointing to missed tackles as a big problem for the ex-Bill….

Byrd was just a name. He was arguable the 4th best player on the Buffalo defense never deserved the amount of hype that was given just because he had high interception totals which can be deceptive on safety play.

Jenkins wasnt Ryans guy and he cut his nose off to spite his face.

That move cripples the Saints financially for 3 years.

Roseman and Co. score on this one.

Oh and Bryce Brown cant see the field yet…so a 4th rounder for Brown was another coup.

GMCliff….I told you…Brown is JAG. Not instinctual enough as a runner to be a difference. Shame too because the kid has talent.

paulman
paulman
October 3, 2014 3:56 pm
Reply to  IzzellJenkins

Does anyone recall me stating numerous times that the Saints got rid
of 5-6 Veteran Players to make Cap Space for Byrf and to resign TE Graham and that this loss of leadership was going to bite them in the ass… DE Will Smith, LB J Vilma, CB Tracy Porter, Safety Roman Harper, Safety Malcolm Jenkins and hell, even RB Darren Sproles was a Salary Cap casualty… Heads need to roll in New Orleans for they are a Team about to run off the Tracks.. Brees has lost a step and his arm is not quite as strong as it once was and his deep balls really are hanging in the air..

Biglion821
Biglion821
October 3, 2014 4:41 pm
Reply to  paulman

Yes paulman you did call that one.

IzzellJenkins
IzzellJenkins
October 3, 2014 6:50 pm
Reply to  paulman

Jenkins leaving the Saint reminded me a ton of when Carlos Rogers left the Redskins. He was ridiculed ripped then goes to SF and had a Pro Bowl year.

Ton of people on here ripped the move.

TJ Ward hasnt been playing all that great either.

NuGreembol
NuGreembol
October 3, 2014 6:56 pm

carry Williams is not a major issue with this team. Him starting is prob the best option. I know he is not the most likable guy so when plays happen on him people magnify it. he is a dog and gives this d teeth earlier than it would have since we were starting over. you think opposing WR are happy to see Carry Williams? yes he gives up plays underneath but he doesn’t compound completions by not making the tackle. Both Fetcher and Williams make you beat them beat them over and over. I can’t name a CB in the NFL that would have stayed with Desean Jackson on that play with all the time Cousins had in the pocket, and Stevie Johnson made a hell of a catch Williams was there. If he is beat bad he will take a penalty instead of give up a score he reminds me of Al Harris and until we get a better player with his attitude on D we can’t be sending guys who compete to the bench. if Nolan Carroll is not in yet it is for a reason. We can’t move Boykin out the slot bc we have no one to cover those quick guys. Boykin is another one who limits damage even tho he gives up catches. T.Y Hilton would have killed us if not for Boykin, yes Hilton caught passes but he would be right there to bring him down. We need to get a normal pass rush to help the secondary, and benching Williams will not make our defense better all of a sudden.

zilents44
zilents44
October 3, 2014 7:17 pm
Reply to  NuGreembol

I actually agree with you except I Dont want fletcher starting id rather have carroll over him he pisses me off through the game at least cary will make ints fletcher cant catch

NuGreembol
NuGreembol
October 3, 2014 8:07 pm
Reply to  zilents44

Yeah Fletchers hands are stone its just tough to say go to Caroll. I feel like Caroll is the type of guy who plays well in a limited roll but soon as you hand him the keys he crashes the car lol. all it takes is one or two brain farts to ruin a game Caroll is the type to all of a sudden blow coverage. He is a good fill in but when teams see him week after week and start setting him up im not so sure

zilents44
zilents44
October 3, 2014 8:42 pm
Reply to  NuGreembol

Shit it cant hurt to give him a chance