WILLIAMS THE REAL DEAL

Roughriders linebacker Renauld Williams
Photograph by: Roy Antal, Leader-Post

VANCOUVER — Rey Williams has done more than replace Maurice Lloyd at middle linebacker.
In five games with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Williams boasts more tackles (30-19) and sacks (2-1) than does Lloyd, who signed with the Edmonton Eskimos during the off-season as a free agent. There were concerns about middle linebacker when Lloyd left after three seasons and being named a CFL all-star in 2008 and West Division all-star in 2007. Riders defensive back Lance Frazier feels that Williams has addressed those concerns.

"We have a lot of respect for a guy like Mo,'' Frazier said in advance of today's game at BC Place against the B.C. Lions. "It did create some question marks in the off-season but we have full confidence in (Williams). Nobody really panicked because Rey is a character guy who has filled in very well.''

Williams joined the Riders as a free agent in September of 2007. He got to know Lloyd through that season and in 2008. Williams has maintained that he's not trying to replace Lloyd.

"It was about me being the best middle linebacker that I could be,'' said Williams, who is third in the league

with 30 tackles. "Every week I want to be better than I was last week.''

Williams may be hard-pressed to improve on his performance in the Riders' 24-23 victory over the Calgary Stampeders on Saturday. He had six tackles, two sacks and helped the Riders salvage the win with a knockdown of a pass intended for slotback Nik Lewis in the last minute of the fourth quarter.

That type of play was expected from Williams, who dressed for 15 games in 2008 and started four games at outside linebacker. Williams filled in for Anton McKenzie, who signed with the Lions as a free agent. Williams finished the 2008 season with 39 defensive tackles, three sacks, 18 special teams tackles, two forced fumbles and returned an interception for a touchdown.

"We knew what we had in Rey because he had been here a year and a half,'' said Alex Smith, the Riders linebacker coach. "We would have loved to have had Mo come back but we also knew that the cupboard wasn't bare if he didn't and we had people here to move forward.''

Williams has moved forward and then some. He has emerged as a leader of the Riders' defence and is the "energy guy" when the team lines up before games. It was a role that Lloyd used to fill.

"(Williams is) the guy and he leads the chants,'' said Frazier. "He wears many different hats.''

Williams has a similar style to Lloyd. Both middle linebackers are among the most ferocious on the field. Off the field, the players are ersonable and engaging.

"The hardest hitters and most angry guys are always like that,'' said Frazier. "They are mellow guys and a lot of fun to be around. They are truly nice guys.''

Williams could be bitter about how his career has turned out. He was the defensive player-of-the-year in his senior season as Hofstra and had his sights set on the NFL.

In 2004, he had stints with the Miami Dolphins and New England Patriots. He attended the Cleveland Browns' training camp in 2005. In 2006, had had two tackles while dressing for three games with the San Francisco

49ers. After failing to land another job in the NFL, Williams signed with the Riders.

"I wish I could have stayed longer in the NFL,'' said Williams, a 28-year-old native of Westbury, N.Y. "I'm just happy that someone is allowing me to play football, a game that I love. There are a lot of guys who want to play but can't play. I thank my blessings every day that this organization gave me an opportunity to show my talents.''

mmccormick@leaderpost.canwest.com