OXNARD, Calif. -- Comfort matters to Quinnen Williams.
When the defensive tackle arrived to the Dallas Cowboys in a trade from the New York Jets in November, he had to get accustomed to a new city, new defense and new teammates. In the seven games he played for the Cowboys, Williams had 20 tackles, 33 quarterback pressures, 1.5 sacks, a pass breakup and two tackles for loss.
He was still named to the Pro Bowl for the fourth straight year, but he admits he could be better.
"I didn't have my best year when it comes down to statistically, as a pass rusher, last year and I want to be better," Williams said. "I want to do better. Not for myself but for this team, and I know I can be better. Definitely one of those things -- I will never stop learning, I will always continue to learn, continue to grow and try to get better every single year."
Entering his first full season with the Cowboys and in the midst of his first training camp as the Cowboys learn a new scheme, Williams' influence on the field and in the locker room has grown.
When last season ended, coach Brian Schottenheimer and Williams had a number of conversations about the importance of winning, the philosophy they will have on defense and some other things Schottenheimer kept private.
"The other day he was telling me how excited he was about this system," Schottenheimer said. "He's going to get a bunch of one-on-ones. He's going to get a bunch of situations where he's having to get blocked by guards with him and Kenny [Clark] working in there together. But I see his leadership style now, I mean, I feel him. Quinnen, he doesn't speak a lot, but boy, the way he works, the way he practices is impressive. But he's a grown-ass man."
Cowboys defensive tackle Quinnen Williams aims to make a bigger impact in his first full season in Dallas. AP Photo/Jerome Miron At 28 years old, Williams is entering his prime where his physical skills match up with his knowledge of the game. Dallas has a new coordinator in Christian Parker, so this will be Williams' third different defense in less than a calendar year, but Williams has high expectations.
"I think the skill set I have, I kind of fit any defense," Williams said.
The Cowboys are not concerned. Executive vice president Stephen Jones said the Cowboys want to keep Williams, who is signed through 2027, "for the long haul." There have been preliminary talks but nothing that is close to being done. Williams said he wants to be with the Cowboys long term as well.