Marcus Williams would rather make plays than talk injuries.
Williams hopes the tough luck is over that led to him missing seven games in 2022 (dislocated wrist) and six games in 2023 (pectoral injury, hamstring). The veteran safety is healthy again and was roaming sideline to sideline at mandatory minicamp, showing his range and letting everyone know he's back patrolling the secondary.
"I've always been a leader," Williams said when asked about his consistent chatter on the field. "I've always been vocal. It's nothing that's new to me. It's just something that's true to me."
If Williams and Kyle Hamilton can stay on the field together throughout the 2024 season, they have the talent to be the NFL's most dynamic safety combination. Pro Football Focus has declared Baltimore’s starting safety duo as the league’s strongest after Hamilton became an All-Pro in his second season and Williams enters this season with 20 career interceptions.
Every player wants his talents to be appreciated, but Williams isn't focused on convincing people how good he is. His self-confidence is already high, and Williams is stoked about how good Baltimore's starting safety tandem can be.
"We know what we can do, we know what kind of players we are," Williams said. "We're confident in ourselves. I think I'm the best, he thinks he's the best. Everybody thinks they're the best, but who performs the best? I think our expectation is to be our best, to excel past our best, perform and help us win some games."
Williams was clearly hampered by the pectoral injury suffered in Week 1 last season but showed his toughness by returning in Week 5 and playing through the injury. His range and instincts are elite, and there are many times when quarterbacks decide it's too dangerous to throw in his direction. When challenged, Williams is often in position to make a play, like on Christmas night last season when his interception of Sam Darnold helped Baltimore seal the victory.
"Injuries happen in the year, and you've just got to overcome those injuries and push past them, which I think I'm pretty good at doing," Williams said.
"When you ask about injuries, I'm going to tell you the same thing. I've been me. This is me. I'm just [going to] continue to get better."
Williams said he's enjoying working with first-year Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr, who's continuing to put his stamp on a system he's very familiar with. The Ravens led the NFL last season in fewest points allowed (16.5 per game), sacks (60) and takeaways (31), which is a tough act to follow, but Williams is hyped and healthy for the challenge.
"I'm excited," Williams said. "You've got a guy (Orr) who's been out on the field, done what we've done, and now he's transitioning to the DC job, which I think he's doing a good job of. He's going to put us in some good positions to make some plays.
"This is a new year. We've got to bond over again and reconnect. I think we'll be some high playmakers back there, physical guys attacking the ball and taking the ball away."
