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Cowboys, SS Williams Meet And Reach Understanding

Defensive coordinator Brian Stewart and safeties coach Brett Maxie summoned Pro Bowl strong safety Roy Williams to Valley Ranch for a meeting Friday to talk about his commitment to the Cowboys.

Williams said he was happy with the 90-minute meeting and has confidence he will find a comfort zone in the Cowboys' defense.

Two weeks ago, Williams said he has been trying to find a comfort level in the 3-4 defense. He repeated the stance Saturday, but said the meeting with the coaches told him his involvement in the defense will increase.

"The communication was not there last year," Williams said. "We recognized the problem, and we talked about it. And we're going to move forward now. We have a better understanding."

The coaches saw two things that prompted the meeting.

Williams missed two days of teaching sessions at Valley Ranch last week to finalize plans for his Roy Williams Safety Net Foundation pre-Mother's Day event for single mothers. The event was Saturday.

Then, Maxie and Stewart read comments from veteran outside linebacker Greg Ellis saying Williams appears to isolate himself from teammates during workouts.

Williams said he loves his teammates and wants to play for the Cowboys. He said he concentrates better by himself during weightlifting and running.

"I appreciate what Greg did, but at the same time, I'm a grown man, too, and I can speak for myself," said Williams, who still considers Ellis a friend. "If I want to be heard, I will be heard."

Last week, Ellis said he was trying to defend Williams against negative comments from fans who don't believe the strong safety is still a good player. Williams likes to interact with fans and posed for pictures with some Saturday at the event. But life with fans can be tricky.

"I'm tired about worrying about the fans," Williams said. "The fans are only around when things are good. I want supporters. At the end of the day, we're human beings, too. Everything can't be perfect, and you can't let your emotions rule over you being a human being. It gets to a point where you are abusing who you really are as a fan."

During the meeting Stewart and Maxie questioned Williams based on Ellis' comments.

"There was nothing wrong," Williams said. "You miss two days, and you see that stuff in the paper. And they say, 'what's really going on?'

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