Bengals Sign Roy Williams

The Cincinnati Bengals have signed former Dallas Cowboys safety Roy Williams, according to the team’s official site.

Contract details were not immediately available.

Williams, 28, spent seven seasons in Dallas, where he went to five Pro Bowls while racking up 506 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 38 passes defensed, and 19 interceptions. Williams was limited to three games in 2008 due to a broken right forearm. Prior to that, he had missed just one game over six years.

Williams is viewed as a hard-hitting in-the-box safety with limited coverage skills. He immediately becomes the front-runner to start at strong safety. Other contenders for that job include third-year player Chinedum Ndukwe and former CFLer Kyries Hebert

Update: Williams’ agent tells Geoff Hobson that Roy took less money to come play in Cincinnati.

"“There were a couple of teams offering considerable more money, but Roy liked the fit in Cincinnati,” Jordan Woy said. “It’s a good fit for both sides really. Roy obviously has a great relationship with (defensive coordinator) Mike Zimmer and he’s excelled in that defense and the Bengals are happy to get a guy like that for their defense.”"

Woy declined to provide contract details, but described the deal as “short-term.” This suggests it’s a one-year deal, similar to Tank Johnson’s, that will allow Williams to seek big money in a potentially uncapped 2010.

REAX:
John Thornton thinks Bengals fans should be stoked by the signing. He pencils Williams and Chris Crocker in as the starting safeties.

"So pencil in Roy Williams into the starting lineup at the SS spot next to FS Chris Crocker. Big hits are on the way! Wow. I just hope teams don’t get a chance to expose them in coverage. But Crocker is a former corner that can cover better than Williams. SS Chinedum Ndukwe will play in sub packages, replacing on of the LB’s, putting more speed on the field without losing any ability to play the run. FS Marvin White will get more time to recover from his knee injury. I have to believe that this move to bring in Williams was tied to his recovery time, that’s just me thinking out loud."

OMCW points out that four of Williams’ five Pro Bowls came under the direction of Bengals DC Mike Zimmer.

Word of the signing has kirk jumping out of his chair.

Bengals Gab thinks Williams will upgrade the center of the D.

Greg recounts the history of the horse-collar tackle rule Williams is (in)famous for bringing into being. The rule earned Williams a place on The Justice Guys (second team) as “Horsecollar Man.”

The Chickster says Crocker + Williams = pain.