Buffalo Bills: Is Aaron Williams Making the Right Decision?
By Paul Taylor
Aaron Williams says he’s 100 percent sure he’s ready to return to action, but the real test for the Buffalo Bills’ safety will come when training camp starts.
When Buffalo Bills‘ strong safety Aaron Williams first suffered his neck injury in Week 2 last season, it was a scary time for those inside Ralph Wilson Stadium. People feared for Williams as he lay motionless on his back, before being immobilized on a backboard and removed from the field.
The 2011 second round draft pick amazingly returned to action in Week 5 against the Tennessee Titans. However, he re-injured himself, leading to the end of his season and resulting in neck surgery.
The surgery was a success, but Bills fans still wondered if Williams’ football career was over? The signs appear promising, after he fully participated in the offseason program.
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Speaking to Buffalo Bills insider Chris Brown, the San Jose, California native said: “It just felt great to be on the field.
“To put those cleats on and put that helmet on and running around. Doing what I love to do for a living is amazing. The words can’t describe what it’s like to be out there.”
Understandably, people will ask why Williams is taking any risk after what happened, and he does acknowledge this: “Is it always in the back of my mind? Of course. It’s my neck.”
In an ironic way though, it is the injury which appears to have re-energized his love for football, while also making him appreciate life more: “It’s something that’s life threatening, but at the same time if I wasn’t 100 percent sure of being out there I wouldn’t be.
“I’m out there and whatever happens, happens – I believe things happen for a reason. With that being said I just have to enjoy what I have in front of me right now.”
The Bills staff and players will be thrilled by the return of one of their defensive leaders. However, they still want to make sure he does everything possible to look after himself, including changing his playing style.
Assistant secondary coach and former five-time First-Team All-Pro Ed Reed said: “We have so many talks, him and I, and just talking to him about longevity and how you get there. I didn’t play 12 years for nothing.
“I had a nerve impingement, still have it, in my neck so you have to play the game a certain way. Being able to talk to him and relate to him on stuff I’ve been through is very helpful. I think he’s taking heed to it.”
Of course, the real test will come when Williams puts on the pads on and takes that first hit. He said: “When it’s time to really come down to test the neck that’s when we’ll get serious and I’ll take things slowly.
“I think the real test will come in preseason. Coach Ryan wants us to have some kind of collision during camp, so I’m sure at some point when we have some type of thud session in a period.”
Assuming the 26-year old is capable of playing, he is projected to return to the lineup opposite Corey Graham in the Bills secondary. He’s convinced his neck won’t be an issue, so all you can do is keep your fingers crossed for his future, both on and off the field.
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What are your thoughts on Aaron Williams’ latest comments? Are you all for him returning to action, or would you prefer him to not risk it and just retire? Let us know in the comments section below.