In what is becoming a tradition when two teams meet up for a joint practice, sparks and fists flew as the Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Rams met up on Saturday. In particular, things were heated early and often between Cowboys left guard Connor Williams and Rams defensive tackle, Aaron Donald.
The practice video showed several reps where the two locked up, and Donald got pushy after the play was over. On this snap, the two pushed and shoved enough that Williams judo threw Donald to the ground leading to two sides getting support from their teammates.
Aaron Donald & Connor Williams scuffle… Cowboys and Rams players charge the field… @NBCDFW pic.twitter.com/7mAE6rw82E
— Pat Doney (@PatDoneyNBC5) August 7, 2021
The two have played a lot of snaps against each other over the years. They’ve played each other twice since Williams has come into the league and had some back and forth battles. Williams got the best of Donald in their individual matchup in the 2018 divisional round of the playoffs. Most recently, however, Donald got the better end of the matchup.
In week one of last season, Williams gave up four total pressures, all hurries, and Donald had 10 total pressures, including a sack and three quarterback hits.
It’s been a back and forth battle, but Williams has never allowed a sack to Donald or the Los Angeles Rams.
While Williams has generally been wrongly considered the weak link of the Cowboys’ offensive line, he’s held his own against arguably the best player in the NFL. Donald is a multi-time defensive player of year recipient and has been a dominant force since coming into the NFL. And Williams has performed admirably against him.
Williams will start for the Dallas Cowboys in 2021, but the future beyond that is a bit murky. With his performance against Donald in the joint practices, it looks like he’s ready to fight in the trenches this season.
I am proud of Connor Williams
Good to hear that at least we have one OL that is willing to fight! I was really disappointed last year when the dude from the no name Washington team hit Dalton with a chicken cheap shot and our OL stood around like they were scared to death to retaliate!! I bet if our regular starters were in there it would have been a different story!
Hard to gauge Williams. At times he looks competent+, yet other times he will get pushed around, even run over. I hope he can progress and get better. Possibly because of the Pro Bowl type players around him, he is scrutinized more, as the so called “weak link” Like that fight in him vs Donald.
Cowboy Fan Ed I agree with you 100%. One thing though that continues to bother me is that the Washington Coward didn’t get several weeks of suspension. I know if that had been a Cowboys player, he would have been out of there.
How ’bout them Cowboys
You weren’t there. You only saw what’s online. The reason Connor Williams got angry and started holding was Aaron Donald got through three yards behibd the line of scrimmage everytime. Donald was there to meet the running back. Connor Williams is a cheapshot artist.
Let’s go.. We need this type of warrior attitude for the upcoming season from all our players.. We Dem Boyz and we ain’t taking no static from no one.. Just wins!!!!