Safety Marcus Williams was one of the top free agents on the market last year, and the Baltimore Ravens were the lucky team to sign him.
Even though he missed seven games with injury, Williams had an impressive debut season in Baltimore. The former New Orleans Saints safety had 61 tackles, eight passes defended and a team-high four interceptions, greatly helping the Ravens' secondary when he was on the field.
After a strong first year in Baltimore, Williams is hungry for more this season and is always looking to better himself.
"There's always more for me," Williams told Clifton Brown of BaltimoreRavens.com. "There's always that next step that I could take. I'm not finished being the best person I could be. I haven't peaked. I'm still working, I'm still young, and I'm trying to be better than every single person who steps out on the field."
Despite his consistently strong play, Williams has yet to make the Pro Bowl in six NFL seasons. However, he's not too concerned with external validation, instead just focusing on going out there and giving it his best.
The Ravens and their fans got a glimpse of Williams' best in Thursday's practice. Quarterback Lamar Jackson thought he had an easy completion on the run to tight end Mark Andrews, until Williams came flying in to break up the pass. Williams had an emphatic celebration after the play, and after that breakup, it was only natural.
"The ability to make that play without going through and [making] the tackle – going through the receiver like he normally would, with a legal hit – he did it in a way where he didn't touch Mark at all." Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. "That's pretty darn good."
One big change this season for Williams is him becoming a much more vocal leader. With two veterans in the secondary, safety Chuck Clark and cornerback Marcus Peters, now departed, Williams has taken on some of the leadership responsibilities in their absence. Cornerback Marlon Humphrey, three-time Pro Bowler, believes the difference in Williams' demeanor is clear.
"I've really noticed a change with Marcus Williams," Humphrey said. "He's been a lot more vocal this year. Marcus is coaching me, yelling at me. He's coaching Kyle, he's coaching Rock [Ya-Sin]. I'm better when I'm told what to do, told what to see, work off my guy."
Williams is just 26 years old and just beginning his prime, and if he can up his game even more, Ravens fans should be in for a treat.
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