On Seeing, A Journal. #346
Tuesday, March 17th, 2020
“The Shape of the NFL” – Preston Williams, Wide Receiver, Miami Dolphins
If there is a true mano-a-mano duel in professional football, it is the contest between a wide receiver and a defensive back (such as Blessuan Austin photographed for my my ongoing Shape of the NFL project).
The perfect opposite for the many great pass defenders came to the studio recently, Preston Williams, a wide receiver for the Miami Dolphins. At 6’4” and a muscular 215 pounds, Williams has a physique that combines speed, power, height, the ability to jump high, and a fusion of skills and gifts that let him get downfield quickly and break tackles after he catches a pass…perfect for his position.
In college at Colorado State, Williams was one of the top wide receivers in the country, with 96 receptions for 1,345 yards and 14 touchdowns.
A report from a veteran scout, Scott Kennedy, pretty much says it all:
“Williams is the total package at wide receiver. He has plus size and run away from a defense type of speed. He has good strength and balance, enabling him to break a tackle. Because of his size, he’s always open, because he can out-leap and box out smaller defensive backs. He has terrific hands and elevates well in traffic to rip the ball out of the air. There’s not much he can’t do.”
And, thus we felt free to try a wealth of ideas.
Meeting and working with formidable players like Williams has been an education for me, advancing me deeper into the game. It’s also been interesting for me to see how quickly professionals pick up on what I’m trying to do. Playing the game of football takes brains as well as brawn; that they “get it” no longer surprises me.
Meeting and working with formidable players like Williams has been an education for me, advancing me deeper into the game. It’s also been interesting for me to see how quickly professionals pick up on what I’m trying to do. Playing the game of football takes brains as well as brawn; that they “get it” no longer surprises me.
