For the fourth time in his five-year NFL career, Karl Williams was named Special Teams Player of the Week on Wednesday. Williams received the award, his first since 1997, after returning three punts for 95 yards and a touchdown and one kickoff for 35 yards against the Buffalo Bills. Williams' 73-yard punt return touchdown in the fourth quarter was the key play in Tampa Bay's 31-17 victory.
Here's what Williams and Head Coach Tony Dungy had to say about the honor:
Dungy on the award: "I think it's well-deserved. He had a big day returning in a game that we really needed it, so that's a great honor for him. Your players like Karl Williams know what it's all about and want to step up in these times when you're coming down the stretch. I know no one feels better about making a contribution than he does and, as I said, it was in a game where we really needed it."
Dungy on using Williams on kickoffs more often: "I'm not sure how that's going to work out."
Williams on the honor: "It's always a big deal whenever you get Special Teams Player of the Week. I just wish I could get it more often. It's an honor, to know that you're out there in front of everybody helping your team win. It's just an honor. Even though I received it, there's 10 guys up front that probably deserve it more than I do. The way they were blocking it up there, I think anybody could have gone back there and run it."
Williams on making a big play on special teams: "We've been close. We've been close in the return game. We've been close to blocking many punts, field goals, extra points. It's that kind of year, where we're so close in every phase. Coach Marciano has been saying to be patient and it will happen, and every week he comes up with a new game plan for us. I think the guys did an excellent job of blocking and they always do. A lot of times, you can't really draw a play up and expect it to happen just like that. I think patience is really the key."
Williams on how it feels to return a punt for a TD: "Everything happens so fast. It's really hard to describe. Everything gets real quiet when the ball is kicked, and the sound just kind of fades back in. It's really indescribable."
Williams on rebounding from an injury to make an impact: "It's a long season and injuries do happen. You just have to keep your head in the game and keep your mind right. When I hurt my knee, I was still here, I was still going to meetings, I was still watching practice at the time. You just have to keep involved and do rehab and treatment to get back."
Williams on the role of special teams: "We've got a young guys playing special teams. We want to get out there and help the offense and defense any way we can and be a major contributor. We don't want to have to depend on just offense and defense to win the game."
