Cardinals’ Dan Williams: I Did Not Work Out Hard During the Lockout

If you believe that there is something to be said for honesty, you’ll love Dan Williams.  Williams, who was a first-round pick for the Cardinals back in 2010, showed up to camp out of shape and overweight following the lockout.  The coaching staff was obviously not pleased with the 334-pounder’s condition, but what can you say to a guy who fully admits he should have worked harder during the offseason?

While Drew Brees was taking matters into his own hands with the Saints, Williams was just coasting along.  Bart Scott is worried about the league going soft without two-a-day practices, and he may have a point if guys like Williams can’t motivate themselves without the help of a team strength and conditioning coach.

“I’ll be the first one to say, I didn’t work out like a (strength coach) John Lott workout,” Williams admitted to the Arizona Republic. “I should have done more. Next year I’ll know the proper steps and I’ll put this behind me … I messed up and it won’t happen again.”

The defensive tackle added that he is not in football shape and playing at an elevation of 7,000 feet above sea level doesn’t help.  Again, there isn’t really much the Cardinals can do.  Obviously Williams knows he screwed up and should have worked harder, but the fact that he has acknowledged that likely means he’s willing to put in the work to get to where he needs to be.  Some guys worked hard during the lockout and others had to pick up watering jobs. That’s the nature of the beast during a work stoppage.