LAS VEGAS – If you think it's been a while since the Cowboys have played a football game, just imagine how Quinnen Williams must feel.
The newly-acquired defensive tackle hasn't suited up since Oct. 26, when he was a member of the Jets, who had a bye week before he was traded to Dallas.
Throw in the fact the Cowboys then had their much-needed bye week, and Williams now makes his debut with the Cowboys with more than three weeks in between games.
"This is probably the first time I went healthy and haven't played a game," Williams recalled in the extended break. "With this conditioning staff, we did a great job last week. My plan was to prepare like I was going into a game, condition like I was going into a game. Conditioning wise, I hit it like I was still in season and still playing in a game. I did a mock game amongst myself. I usually play about 30-40 plays so I did 30-40 reps and sprints and some kind of cardio things where I still had that same wind, and things like that."
While Williams is preparing his body to play in the game, he might have been easier than preparing his mind, considering he was learning a new system. However, it's not exactly new to Williams, who has been coached by defensive line coach Aaron Whitecotton for three years with the Jets.
"It was definitely easy to catch up, man. When it comes down to football, I really trusted my football IQ and the things that I can do, especially come down to remembering the playbook, remembering what they want me to do," said Williams, the No. 3 overall pick of the 2019 draft. "And it probably took me one or two days to get the whole playbook down into. come out here and just fit right in."
And Williams is glad to fit in amongst some talented defensive tackles such as Kenny Clark and Osa Odighizuwa, a couple of players he's admired from afar.
"It's unbelievable, to be able to come in and not only play with, but learn from guys like Kenny Clark and Osa," Williams said. "I've been watching Kenny Clark film for a long time, man, and things he can do from a 2-tech and a 3-tech. I think I've watch every single clip of his at Green Bay to try to learn from, try to take something from. And Osa has been unbelievable in his career and been doing great things as well. So to be able to learn from each other, like I said, is it's brought me together to learn my teammates on the field on off the field, and it's going to be unbelievable to go play on Monday night with them."
How Williams fits exactly in the scheme with the other defensive tackles will be determined. And from the sound of things, it doesn't sound like he's that concerned, as long as he can help the Cowboys turn things around and get back into the win column.
"I always say this all the time, and whatever coaching staff or whatever the scheme, whatever the team need me to do to win football games, I'm willing to do what I'm going to do," he said. "Because at the end of the day I just want to win."
