In an interview with Newy Scruggs of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram and NBC 5, Cowboys safety Roy Williams makes it clear that he is motivated to have a big year in 2008, primarily because of criticism he has received from the media.

As to negative remarks about his abilities, Williams says, “It fueled me.  It fueled me up.  That’s why this season is going to be a good season.  I got a lot of people to shut up.”

He admits that he isn’t thick-skinned.  “Why should I have thick skin?” Williams said.  “I am a human being.  I’m not saying I’m a sensitive person, but when you attack somebody’s character and you don’t have anything positive to say about somebody, why should I be overjoyed to be having an interview with somebody who’s been tearing me up, and you have all these other fans buying into the stuff . . . and it’s not even correct.”

The primary knock on Williams relates to his skills (or lack thereof) in pass coverage.  But he sees no problems in this regard.  “I feel great about them.  I feel great about my cover skills.  Great,” he said.

But the questions about Williams didn’t intensify simply because members of the media have a bias against Williams.  Instead, Cowboys linebacker Greg Ellis threw jet fuel on the embers of a controversy when he said in May 2008 that Williams believes he doesn’t fit coach Wade Phillips’ defense, and that Williams has been isolating himself from teammates.