Naturally, James-Smith Williams was asked questions about his old and new defensive line coaches on Wednesday when he met with the media.
One day after his defensive line coach Sam Mills III was fired, the Commanders defensive end appeared before the media following Wednesday’s practice.
Asked to respond on how the team took it when they learned Mills was fired: “Like Jon (Allen) said, ‘Football is a great sport, tough business.’ We respect what Coach Ron (Rivera) does for the best interest of the team.” It appears Smith-Williams endorses Rivera’s coaching decision.
The third-year Washington defensive end is confident in defensive line Coach Jeff Zgonina: “Z’s (Zgonina) been here the entire time I’ve been here, so there’s a lot of continuity. It feels very familiar, very much the same.”
The former NC State Wolfpack defender also likes Zgonina’s energy, “Z’s (Zgonina) always been the same guy, super intense, always getting out there, and always trying to push us. So having that around it’s really a lot of fun.”
Smith-Williams believes Zgonina’s NFL playing experience is a real plus.
“Yeah, definitely. He played for 17 years. He knows what we need to hear. So he’s always really good about that.”
In the NFL world of coaches being hired to be fired, he knows the players must stay focused despite sudden changes. “We still have to go out and play. The NFL is more of a self-start league anyway. You aren’t going to need someone to drag you along. You are going to have to push the pace regardless.”
Having started six games last season, he feels he is progressing compared to last year. “Yeah, a lot better. I’m not coming off major surgery. I have the year starting experience under my belt. So you kind of know what to expect, and I know what the system’s like. So, year three I’m really excited for.”
James Smith-Williams gets matched up on a TE in pass pro and makes Denver pay for it. pic.twitter.com/9USAHbFqOM
— Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) October 31, 2021
The former seventh-round 2020 draft choice (229 overall) understands his role last year was to be ready to contribute when Chase Young tore his ACL. Now in 2022, Smith-Williams again prepares to provide as much as he can while Young returns from his ACL rehab and recovery.
Starting six games in 2021, JSW contributed 11 solo tackles, 19 assisted tackles, 4 tackles for a loss, 5 QB hits and 2.5 QB sacks.
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