Roy Williams and His Tight End-Like Speed Not Happy With Madden Rating

Roy Williams is the first to admit that he didn't have a great 2008 season. Partly because he arrived in Dallas midway through the year, but also because his roles wasn't well defined. Terrell Owens was the team's No. 1 receiver (on paper, anyway), Jason Witten was Tony Romo's favorite target, and Marion Barber spearheaded the running game.

So it's no surprise that Williams didn't contribute much. Expectations are different this year, though; T.O. is gone and Roy will be Romo's primary downfield threat. At least that's the plan. Not everybody has full confidence in that eventuality. In fact, the programming nerds at EA Sports don't have much faith in Williams' ability to get open.

Via the San Antonio Express-News' Tom Orsborn:

"I opened up the Madden today, and I'm pretty (mad) about that game," Williams said. "They've got me at an 86 (out of 100) speed, 87 hands and like 84 overall or something like that.

"I can't be mad because I didn't have a good year last year. They go off that year, but geez Louise, 86 speed? That's like tight-end speed, like I'm a slowpoke."

Okay, so 86 isn't blazing, but according to the '09 ratings, he was faster than Witten AND Martellus Bennett, so there's that. (Although this probably doesn't help: Roy Williams the wideout was slower than Roy Williams the safety. You know, the same dude who was criticized weekly for not being able to cover tight ends and slot receivers.)

On the other hand, Michael Vick, fresh off a two-year stint in the joint, has a speed rating of 90, which can't do much for Roy's confidence. Upside: Williams is the better passer.*

* Speculation, though almost certainly true.