Riders' Williams Unfazed By Moves

It's been a year of change for former first overall pick Shomari Williams.  First in training camp he was moved from defensive end to middle linebacker and now he's being bumped to the outside after the signing of Joe Lobendahn this week.

Williams says he understands the moves and just wants to help the team any way he can, "I would like to say that you have one spot and you just stick with it, but anything you can do to help the team.  We've had a couple injuries and I think I can be the guy who can fill in."

The third year player made the switch to the outside linebacker spot last week against Calgary after the injury to the team's leading tackler Abraham Kromah the week before.  Williams says he just needs to stay focused on getting better no matter what position he's playing, or who's being brought in, "I can't really worry about what everybody else is doing, I just have to worry about myself and trying to get better, and just trying to make plays.

"The last three games I think have been my three best games at linebacker, so I just want to keep building on that and just continue to make plays, and that's the big thing, just continuing to make plays and keep working hard."

Williams says it won't be that big of an adjustment to move from middle to the weak side,  "It's not too bad, it's probably the same adjustment as playing rush to quick, so it's not too bad at all.

"I think for both positions, mack and will, the fact I was a defensive end for two years helps me out when I'm trying to rush the passer, when I'm trying to blitz, and that's one of the things I think I've been pretty effective in this year is blitzing."

Lobendahn is expected to start at middle linebacker this week for the Riders and Williams will play the weak side outside linebacker spot.  Former Montreal Alouette Diamond Ferri was also signed this week and is expected to compete for a spot in the linebacking core starting next week.

The Riders practice on Friday at Mosaic Stadium and then have their walk-through on Saturday before hosting the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Labour Day Classic on Sunday.