Cowboys talk to Notre Dame DT Williams
Notre Dame defensive tackle Ian Williams talked with team officials over the weekend.
"It was cool, really cool," Williams said. "We talked a lot about football and off the field stuff. Hopefully one day I can play with them."
Williams is projected as a fourth-round pick and Scouts Inc. has him ranked 16th at his position. Josh Brent and Sean Lissemore can back Ratliff up at his spot. But looking at Williams is interesting for a number of reasons. He's a run stopper and has played in the 3-4 and 4-3 schemes.
The Cowboys also have scheduled a talk with Baylor defensive tackle Phil Taylor, who said Sunday he's comfortable playing the nose tackle position as well.
As for Williams, the biggest questions surrounding him was his recovery from a knee injury that caused him to miss the final four games of the 2010 season. He did return for Notre Dame's bowl game, picking up 3.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Williams also performed well in the Senior Bowl.
Williams said it was tough playing at Notre Dame because he had three different line coaches and defensive coordinators. Yet he also feels the multiple systems he played in makes him versatile.
"I'm used to both styles," Williams said. "I stop the run, that's what I do best."
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