4 reasons Vince Williams’ absence will lead to a loss for Steelers

Is Williamson ready?

That question almost sounds silly, as Williamson has started 81 career games and has found success at the NFL level. That said, since joining the Steelers, Williamson has only played in 11 percent of the team’s defensive snaps. That number will certainly jump this week as he takes on the role of top dog at the position. While his veteran status is a comfort, it still doesn’t mean he will succeed in this role.

For starters, there are questions on how his communication skills will translate to the field. The role of communicator has transferred from Spillane to Williams and now likely to Williamson. Given how talented the Bills’ offense is, a lapse in communication could be a disaster and lead to a big play. Don’t underestimate how critical good communication can be to defensive success.

While similar to Williams in style (more of a two-down run stuffer), there is one aspect that Williamson lacks in comparison to Williams. Vince Williams is a tenacious blitzer who can blow up an offensive lineman and make a big play in the backfield. For reference, he has 14 tackles for a loss this season (Williamson has 27 in his career). This will be a lacking area this week without Williams, and it could cause this defense to be less potent.

While Williamson should do fine as the main inside linebacker, there are concerns with some of the smaller things that you don’t always think about. He is replacing one of the best two down linebackers in the league in Williams, and it could change the complexity of this Steelers defense. Be on the lookout for how the little things affect this unit as a whole.