Spending twelve years as an NFL offensive lineman has obvious effects on a player’s body. When Bobbie Williams takes the pads off, those effects are evident.
Williams is 6-4, 345-pounds and he is an intimidating presence. That is, until you can get over the fact that his massive hand has been stuck out to shake yours as he introduces himself.
Around the Ravens locker room, Williams is known as a calm, gentle giant. On the field, it’s a whole different story.
“I think I’ll still be the same mild-mannered guy, but when I hit the field it’s a different story, it’s a different body,” he said.
After spending the previous eight seasons in Cincinnati, the Ravens signed Williams to a two-year deal this offseason. In what figures to be his last contract in the NFL, Williams seems to be enjoying football and his life off the field.
“I just try to conserve everything for the field and when I’m done, I leave it out there. If I didn’t separate the two, I don’t know if my wife would be with me too long,” Williams said jokingly.
At this stage of his career, the veteran’s health will be discussed as frequently as his play, but Williams is in good spirits.
“I’m feeling better than I have all preseason,” he said. “I got here for the mandatory mini-camp and I’m feeling better and I’m getting better.”
Williams, who turns 36 this month, isn’t able to recover from the grueling aspects of the game like he did back in 2000 during his rookie season. Luckily for Williams, the youth of second-round pick Kelechi Osemele has afforded the veteran some extra time to make his body right before hitting the field.
When asked about having the versatile rookie Osemele around, Williams responded, “it’s definitely a plus. [Offensive line coach] Moeller is making it very beneficial to me at this stage of my career. I know it makes them feel good to have a guy play at a higher level and not only that but get good game experience to build him for the long road.”
Williams will get the chance to face his old Bengals teammates twice this season, but he’s not treating the game any differently – he’s just excited to be able to play.
“What better night to do it on than Monday night and open on a big stage?”
Since his arrival in Baltimore, Williams has been working both mentally and physically to adapt to the Ravens’ offensive line. Putting in a lot of work has kept him busy and he hasn’t had the chance to catch up with many of his former friends – who on Monday will become foes.
The former Bengal has spoken with old teammates, including center Kyle Cook (currently on IR) and fellow Arkansas alum, defensive end Jamaal Anderson, but the talk with Williams and his former teammates has been minimal.
“Not a lot of talk from anyone else, I guess they’re saving it for Monday night,” Williams said. “The respect is there, so I don’t think they’d be too crazy.”
Once the reunion is over with his former teammates, the Ravens will go 16 more weeks before seeing the Bengals to close out the regular season in what will be a homecoming for Williams. Knowing that he’s on the other side of a divisional rivalry, he’s going to concentrate on his business in Baltimore.
“When it’s all over with, catch a knee in the middle [of the field], say a prayer, you go your way and I’ll go mine.”
Even though he didn’t confirm it, it’s expected that Williams will start the season at left guard for the Ravens. He has been practicing and isn’t listed on the team’s injury report for their Monday night matchup.
