D.J. Williams deletes post of defensive formations on Twitter

Is D.J. Williams trying to find trouble?

In what has to be considered a serious breach of security in the secretive world that is the NFL, Williams posted what appeared to be six formations of one defensive play from the Broncos' playbook on his Twitter account Friday.

A team official quickly contacted Williams and the plays have been deleted from his account.

"We're aware of the matter, and it's been addressed internally," a team official said.

Besides a photo of the six plays — or six formations of one play — that had the label of "Sink Sam 1 Tite (Formation Adjustment)," Williams also tweeted: "Coach told me I have to learn a new position over the weekend."

Stating that he was moving to a new position also revealed team information. Williams is a weakside linebacker who has started at four linebacker positions through his first eight seasons with the Broncos — weakside (called Will), middle (Mike), strongside (Sam) and inside Mike in the 3-4 system.

Williams was the team's first-round pick in the 2004 draft.

Although Williams deleted the defensive formations, he seemed almost defiant in subsequent tweets. On one tweet, Williams said: "Fans calling me dumb cuss the iPad had one defense showing. I was just showing I'm old school, pin n pad."

Below the photo of the six formations was a pencil, a pencil sharpener and a notebook.

"I posted a pic cause coach wants me to learn a new position," Williams said in another tweet. "We use iPads now, but I still use flash cards."

It's not Williams' only off-field issue. He is embroiled in two court cases.

In one, he is suing the NFL in hopes of overturning a suspension from the first six games of the 2012 season for violating the league's performance-enhancing-drug policy. That case will be heard in Denver District Court next month.

He also is facing trial for a driving-under-the-influence charge, a case that has been postponed until August. Williams pleaded not guilty to the DUI charge.

Williams' posting of the Broncos' defensive plays comes at a time when the team has converted its playbook to the iPad. Each Broncos player has a playbook via iPad.

However, the players did not receive their electronic playbooks without first receiving social media counsel from the team. The Broncos have been aggressive in putting together seminars on the conveniences — and hazards — of social media. The rookies received a one-hour seminar on social media before the team's organized team activity (OTA) workouts last month. The rookies and veterans are given mandatory, social media class at each training camp. Players also receive one-on-one counsel on an almost daily basis.

Make no mistake, the Broncos, like the other 31 NFL teams, want to closely guard their strategic philosophies, systems and plays.

The Broncos have long preferred to close their practices to the media and public. When the media is allowed to watch an OTA or minicamp, it must follow strict rules administered by the team that are sensitive about giving away secrets to opponents.

For instance, the team discourages the media from identifying generic pass patterns like slants and outs or charting Peyton Manning's pass attempts while the offense is running 11-on-11 drills.

It's possible the Broncos could view this as conduct detrimental to the team.


(denverpost.com)