November 3, 2008 The Jaguars' website reports that Brian Williams will move from safety back to cornerback to replace the disappointing Drayton Florence. Gerald Sensabaugh will start at strong safety and Florence figures to be a nickelback.
Our View:Williams has had a pleasant season with two interceptions and 40 solo tackles. He may need a game or two to get used to his old position, but he should perform well down the stretch for Jacksonville.
July 10, 2008 Jacksonville Jaguars defensive back Brian Williams has been found not guilty of drunk driving. Had he been convicted, he faced up to a year in jail, according to the AP.
Our View:Williams first pleaded no contest, but was allowed to drop his plea and go to trial.
July 9, 2008 Jaguars defensive back Brian Williams entered court to answer charges of driving under the influence today, the first day of the court case that included testimony from the arresting officer, according to the Associated Press.
Our View:JSO officer Ernest Bridges said he pulled over Williams' Bentley on the morning of September 2, 2006 when the car was swerved into his lane on Bay Street downtown. He arrested Williams after he failed a field sobriety test. Bridges then testified Williams became loud and rude and verbally abusive calling the officer trailer trash, and stated that Williams had offered a sexual encounter with a female companion in the car with Williams if the officer would let him go. The defense will begin to call witnesses on Thursday. The 29-year-old football player first pleaded no contest and apologized to the community, but was allowed to withdraw his plea, saying he didn't understand the process.
June 11, 2008 According to Jaguars.com senior editor Vic Ketchman, Brian Williams looks like a natural at the safety position during offseason workouts.
Our View:Williams has been a cornerback his entire career, but this is a position switch that could take his career to a higher level. Williams is penciled in as the frontrunner at strong safety on the Jacksonville depth chart, and will compete with Gerald Sensabaugh for the starting role in training camp.
April 4, 2008 Brian Williams, according to recently obtained court records, launched into a racially charged tirade filled with profane and sexual remarks directed at Jacksonville police during a 2006 drunken driving arrest, according to Florida Times-Union. After receiving a six-month probation sentence and having his license suspended as a result of his guilty plea following the incident in September, 2006, Williams returned to court asking to withdraw the plea. He was allowed to withdraw the plea three months ago, which means a new case will be tried. Head coach Del Rio said he recently spoke with Williams, who denied having made such remarks. "He basically said he did not make comments like that and was offended by the fact that it was said that he had," Del Rio said. "Brian has assured me he has a different version [of what occurred] and I think it's important to let the process play out here. You have two individuals that have a different interpretation of what occurred. He has the legal right to pursue and do the things he's doing and I think we have to allow that right to be carried out." Williams was never suspended or fined by the team for the arrest.
