IRVING – Dallas cornerback Anthony Henry said the secondary positions are the most scrutinized in football next to quarterback.
When the conversation turned to strong safety Roy Williams, who is criticized for his coverage skills, Henry said he would take him on his team any day.
Thursday provided another example.
Williams tied his career high with his fifth interception of the season in the Cowboys' victory over Tampa Bay. He also leads the NFL with seven takeaways.
So much for critics.
"I'm a weak link in coverage," Williams said facetiously. "I'm just getting lucky."
The safety position has been responsible for eight touchdowns this season, not all the result of Williams' play.
Williams had to compensate for the inexperience of rookie free safety Patrick Watkins in pass coverage.
"That's on all of us," Henry said. "Roy leads our secondary with five interceptions. He's the leader, and that goes against what everybody is saying about him. He always comes up with the big plays."
After Dallas tied the score at 7, Tampa Bay got a 35-yard kickoff return from Michael Pittman to the 41.
Quarterback Bruce Gradkowski sent a deep pass toward the speedy Joey Galloway, who was open in the middle of the field.
Williams timed the pass perfectly and intercepted it. He returned the ball 27 yards with 48 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
"We know Joey likes to run across the field and get away from the safeties," Williams said. "Shoot, that boy is running. [Gradkowski] floated it up a little bit so I could make a good play on the ball."
Dallas scored off the turnover to take a 14-7 lead and begin its rout.
Williams finished the game with two tackles, but his presence was felt.
"He's a playmaker, that's his label," Newman said. "They used to have strong safeties, but now they got another position: They're called playmakers."
Bill Parcells loves the way Williams plays with hard hits on receivers and running backs.
But because of with Williams' inability to make key plays in the passing game, his Pro Bowl status was in question. He misplayed a deep pass against Philadelphia, ran into the back judge covering a deep pass vs. the New York Giants and was called for pass interference against Washington.
He's the frontrunner to make his fourth consecutive Pro Bowl appearance at strong safety, and with his NFL lead in takeaways, how can anyone deny him?
"I'm just doing what the team asks me to do and make some plays at the same time," Williams said. "I don't think I'm doing anything special."
E-mail cwatkins@dallasnews.com
| PICKING THEM OFF |
| Roy Williams tied his career high with his fifth interception of the season, becoming the seventh Cowboy since 1996 to have at least five interceptions in a season. Larry Brown was the last Cowboy with six interceptions, in 1995. |
| No. | Player | Season |
| 5 | Roy Williams | 2006 |
| 5 | Roy Williams | 2002 |
| 5 | Derek Ross | 2002 |
| 5 | Phillippi Sparks | 2000 |
| 5 | Deion Sanders | 1998 |
| 5 | Kevin Smith | 1996 |
| 5 | Darren Woodson | 1996 |
