Sylvester Williams has seen both sides. He played the first two seasons of his NFL career as a defensive tackle in a 4-3 alignment. Now he’s playing in Wade Phillips’ 3-4 alignment with a one-gap scheme.
Most 3-4s require the three down linemen to play two gaps and plug the holes on each side of the offensive lineman in front of them. Which means, as the nose tackle, Williams would have been responsible for the creases to either side of the center.
But Phillips uses a one-gap system, requiring middle linebackers to take on more blockers and allowing the linemen to move up the field.
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Although Jack Del Rio’s hybrid defense had similar principles, Phillips’ system, Williams said, has allowed the Broncos to exploit their depth and pass-rushing weapons on the line and on the edge.
“I like it a lot better than the two-gap defense,” Williams said. “Versus a two-gap scheme, you can penetrate more and play your gap better.”
Rookie Darius Kilgo has impressed Sylvester Williams
Rookie defensive tackle Darius Kilgo has a fan in Williams.
Kilgo, a sixth-round draft pick, is tied for the Broncos’ lead in sacks with two and has six tackles through two preseason games. His work up front has impressed Williams.
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“Since Day One, when I first saw him play, to now, he’s shown a lot of growth,” Williams said. “He’s a strong guy. Perfect for the nose tackle position.”
Williams has taken Kilgo under his wing, just as Terrance Knighton did with Williams the past two seasons.
“When you have a few years under your belt and you know the ropes and you can teach a guy something, I think it’d be selfish of us as players to not (help them),” Williams said. “Kilgo is a great player. I just tell him, ‘Man, you’re strong as an ox. Go out there and be strong.’ ”
