Bolts thankful for Williams’ play

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Thursday, Nov 27, 2008
By Casey Pearce, Chargers.com

About the only thing harder than blocking Chargers defensive tackle Jamal Williams is getting the three-time Pro Bowler to talk about himself.

A few days after yet another dominating performance against the Colts in which coaches credited him with seven tackles, including two for loss, Williams didn’t have much to say about his play this season.

“I’m having fun,” Williams said. “I love football and that’s the reason why I play. I work hard because I want to be the best. I don’t worry about anything else.”

Williams missed the team’s entire offseason program and was held out of a good portion of training camp while the 348-pound nose tackle battled to bring his knees backs to full strength. Williams and his coaches agree that it took the 11-year veteran some time to get back in the swing of things, but a couple weeks into the season, Williams was back to playing like his old self.

“Once he got back in terms of the offseason work that he had done and got back into a rhythm of practicing every day, he’s played as well as you could ask him to play,” Head Coach Norv Turner said. “The things he’s gone through in terms of getting his health back and considering where he is in his career, it’s phenomenal.”

Chargers defensive coordinator Ron Rivera marvels at Williams’ versatility, specifically his mixture of strength and agility.

“He’s got this body position where he can use his legs and get underneath the guy’s shoulder pads and just lift him. To show you his athletic ability, the first goal-line play (Sunday against Indianapolis), they tried to cut him. He pancaked the kid, jumped over the top and made the tackle. It was a tremendous football play.”

While Williams didn’t have much to say about another strong season, his teammates and coaches did.

“He’s our rock,” linebacker Shaun Phillips said. “He’s been doing it for 11 years and that’s something we look forward to every week. He’s delivered every week. He’s one of the guys that keeps me motivated every week. He gives his all every play. That pushes me to give everything I’ve got.”

Injury update

Defensive end Luis Castillo (groin) practiced again Thursday but was limited.

“I think Luis has been better each day,” Turner said. “The big thing on all these guys is how he reacts to the movement and how he feels the next day. He was sore this morning and we’ll see where he is tomorrow.”

Cornerback Antonio Cromartie (hip) was also limited, while cornerback Cletis Gordon (knee) got through a second-consecutive day of work after missing two weeks.

Fullback Mike Tolbert (shoulder) and defensive end Keith Grennan (fibula) did not practice Thursday.

Happy Thanksgiving

Turner altered the schedule Thursday so his players could get their work in and still be able to spend the day with their families. The Chargers arrived earlier than usual Thursday and concluded practice two hours earlier than normal. Turner canceled post-practice meetings, which the team will have Friday morning instead.

Quick hits

- LaDainian Tomlinson needs just three catches Sunday to reach 500 for his career. Only four other running backs in NFL history have 500 receptions and 10,000 rushing yards.

- Antonio Gates is now just 131 receiving yards away from 5,000 for his career.

- Matt Vasgersian, who was the voice of the Padres for San Diego’s Channel 4 until recently, will call Sunday’s Chargers game for Fox, while San Diego County native J.C. Pearson will serve as the analyst for the broadcast.

- In addition to Michael Turner making his return to San Diego, former Chargers tight end Justin Peelle will face his former club Sunday at Qualcomm Stadium.

- Several Chargers including Marcus McNeill, Charlie Whitehurst, Mike Tolbert and Paul Oliver are Georgia natives.

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