Howley, 'The Manster' & Sam Williams: Cowboys Get More From No. 54?

Dallas Cowboys defensive end Sam Williams played 15 games in his rookie year, finishing with 22 tackles, four sacks and three fumble recoveries.

Some of the greatest defensive players in NFL history sported the No. 54. However, before longtime Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher and future Hall of Famer Von Miller, there was Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Randy White. 

White, who repped the No. 54 for 14 seasons, was named a nine-time All Pro and crowned Super Bowl XII MVP before announcing his retirement in 1988. And of course, before that there was Chuck Howley, a five-time first-team All-Pro and a Super Bowl MVP who is joining White in the Hall of Fame this summer.

That number is now being worn by Cowboys second-year defensive end Sam Williams. Hey, it's not quite "The 88 Club.'' But there is a legacy here.

And while Williams is more focused on the No. 10 this season, he does have an opportunity to follow in his predecessor's footsteps as a disruptor in the backfield. 

"Williams had a solid rookie year, tying for second on the team in tackles for loss with 10. In 15 games, the second-round pick also added four sacks and nine quarterback hits," The Athletic writes. "But Williams has the potential for much more. He sees himself as a double-digit sack player who can get in the backfield from multiple defensive line positions.''

Williams has a track record. He had 12.5 sacks during his senior year at Ole Miss to lead into last year's four sacks. In Dallas, foes will be focused on containing Defensive Player of the Year candidate Micah Parsons and Tank Lawrence as the primary edge guys ... And they can't block 'em all.

Despite playing sparingly over his rookie campaign (27 percent of defensive snaps) Williams showcased what he can bring to the Dallas line when opportunities arise - including a sack, forced fumble and recovery performance against the Detroit Lions in Week 7. 

With a crowded depth chart of Parsons, Lawrence, Dante Fowler and Dorance Armstrong, there will be a fight for meaningful snaps. But if Williams has proven anything over the past year, it's that he seems - with the need for maturity - ready to take that leap. 

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You can find Riley Sheppard on Twitter @RileyDSheppard

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