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Stepfret Williams makes sizable contribution

By MIKE BALDWIN

The Daily Oklahoman

IRVING, Texas -- Coach Barry Switzer once compared Stepfret Williams' calf muscles to a soft-drink can.

In an NFL locker room, Williams is a twig in a redwood forest, a fence post among telephone poles. His 170-pound frame is a stark contrast to 320-pound teammates. And it's not just linemen. He weighs 40 pounds less than Michael Irvin.

"The size thing, I don't even worry about that," Williams said. "I'm who I am. I can't be a Michael Irvin or Anthony Miller. I see other small guys who have played this game for a long time. You don't need to be 200 to 210 pounds."

Williams is proving that more and more every week. The Dallas Cowboys reach the halfway point of the season Sunday at Veterans Stadium, and the second-year receiver from Northeast Louisiana has emerged as a reliable third-down target for Troy Aikman.

Despite playing only in nickel situations, Williams has as many receptions (15) as Miller. But the most impressive stat is that 80 percent of Williams' catches have produced first downs. His last nine receptions have come on third down and moved the chains. In last week's 26-22 win over Jacksonville, he scored his first NFL touchdown.

"I've liked Step from Day One," Aikman said. "Step's probably as quick a guy as I've seen getting in and out of breaks. The one thing we're a little concerned about is his size. Yet, so far, that hasn't been something that has kept him from playing well. He's been able to get off the ball and make plays. He's playing with confidence."

The 94th player selected in the 1996 draft, Williams has made the most of his opportunities after missing most of training camp with a strained left hamstring. He had a career-high five catches in an overtime loss to Arizona and has recorded three or more receptions in four of the last six games.

"I prefer the slot because it gives me an advantage against whoever they put on me," Williams said. "You have more room to work with so you can use your quickness. I'm very comfortable with my role, coming in to make a play and keep the drive going. We have two guys who are All-Pros who can handle the outside."

Williams' contribution in the first meeting with Philadelphia was overshadowed by the bizarre ending -- Tommy Hutton's bobbled snap that allowed the Cowboys to escape with a 21-20 win.

While Irvin was sidelined with leg cramps in the fourth quarter, Williams had an 18- yard reception in the go-ahead, 62-yard TD drive that was capped by Miller's 14-yard TD catch with 51 seconds left. Williams also drew a fourth-down pass interference penalty, a controversial call that kept the drive alive.

"That was the game that really gave me the confidence that I can go out and do the things I do in practice," Williams said. "Since then I've gotten more and more comfortable each week when I make a play."

Williams, a third-round draft choice, has had to prove himself for years despite his 4.32 speed in the 40. Having grown up in Minden, La., a small farming community, he received only two scholarship offers, then showed everyone what they were missing by establishing 15 school records at Northeast Louisiana.

"He's playing extremely well," said offensive coordinator Ernie Zampese. "The quarterback really likes him. That's important. Troy has a lot of confidence in him and (Williams) has made some big plays for us, he really has. He's converted a lot of third downs for us the last few games."

Some have suggested maybe Williams should occasionally spell Miller. Williams replaced Miller on the play he caught his touchdown last week, but Williams' role is to be the slot receiver.

"I don't look at Stepfret as a guy that can move Anthony out," Switzer said. "Stepfret is not a very physical receiver. If he grows up and gets bigger and stronger, you never know. Right now, he's our third receiver ... He has great quickness and he's running good routes. He has good, soft hands. He's doing a good job."