Continued: Vikings at Chicago: Williams the man in the middle

Every now and then, Kevin Williams goes old school.

Looking for a new move or perhaps just a peek to see what worked in a different era, Williams will turn on tape of former Vikings defensive line greats.

"You see some of the stuff they did and you try and go out and emulate it," the All-Pro defensive tackle said. "They set a great example for us."

One of them, John Randle, a potential future Hall of Famer who collected more sacks (137 1/2) than any defensive tackle in NFL history, said he finds it "flattering" that Williams would study his approach. But then again, he also likes watching Williams do his thing.

Randle watched last Sunday as Williams turned in a career performance in a 12-10 victory against the Detroit Lions. He became the first Vikings player in nearly 20 years to record four sacks in a game while finishing with a team-high eight tackles, five tackles for loss and four quarterback hurries.

Randle couldn't help but be impressed.

"Any time you get four sacks in a game, that's quite an accomplishment," Randle said. "Not too many guys can do that. I never did it. He's a player that teams in the league should fear because physically he's a specimen and he's very athletic. Just a great player."

Williams has made three Pro Bowl trips in the past four seasons, so he has been one of the NFL's elite defensive tackles for some time. He ranks fourth in the NFL and is tied for first among defensive tackles with six sacks this season. Williams also has 14 quarterback hurries, 38 tackles and a blocked field goal.

Vikings players and coaches say few players at that position can match Williams' combination of size (6-5, 311 pounds), athleticism and understanding of the game.

He has also benefitted from the arrival of pass-rushing defensive end Jared Allen, who has allowed Williams some freedom inside that he didn't enjoy in recent years. No longer forced to take on double teams almost exclusively -- which caused his numbers to dip -- Williams is finding more 1-on-1 matchups as teams slide help to Allen.

That was Detroit's game plan last week. As the Lions learned, that's not such a good idea.

"As a defensive lineman, I know in our group if you see 1-on-1 blocks, you're licking your chops," Williams said.

He wasn't bragging. Just being honest. He's simply too good for most players to handle without help for an entire game.

"That's not a knock on anybody on this league," defensive line coach Karl Dunbar said. "I can understand people having problems at night trying to sleep knowing they have to play against him and block him 1-on-1."

'Jekyll and Hyde'

It's easy to overlook Williams' impact on the Vikings defense because he operates in the middle of the mayhem and isn't one for self-promotion. With his slow, easy delivery and thick southern drawl, Williams is as down-home country as sipping sweet tea on a porch swing. And quiet, too. So quiet that he makes introverted middle linebacker E.J. Henderson seem like a blabbermouth.

But when he steps on the field, it's woodshed time.

"It's like Jekyll and Hyde," safety Darren Sharper said. "On game day he's like a monster or beast out there."

Williams prefers to let his actions do the talking.

"You can make a lot of noise without saying stuff sometimes," he said. "A lot of times when you're doing a lot of talking, you aren't saying anything. I try to lead by example and not by just talking about it. ... You don't have to sing the praises about yourself. If you're doing things the right way, somebody will notice."

That's certainly the case inside the Vikings locker room, where Williams is known as "Ticket" -- a spinoff of the "Big Ticket" nickname Kevin Garnett earned with the Timberwolves. Williams also became defensive captain with the season-ending injury to Henderson.

"If you look at a true professional, that's him right there," linebacker Chad Greenway said. "He's the best [defensive tackle] I've ever seen. That's why he's going to go to the Pro Bowl for the next five years. Because he's just that good."

Said Pro Bowl center Matt Birk: "He really doesn't have any weaknesses. He's big, he's strong, he's explosive."

Williams, 28, takes pride in being a complete player. He's stout against the run, using his size and strength to clog up the middle and choke off running lanes. Running back Adrian Peterson describes it as "grown man strength."

Yet Williams is also athletic enough to rush the passer and make game-changing plays when the opportunity arises. His four career defensive touchdowns (two fumbles and two interceptions) are tied for first in team history.

"I'm able to do a little bit of everything," Williams said. "You can't just label me as one guy, a pass rusher or a run stopper. I think I'm pretty versatile and can do a little bit of both."

Said Allen: "He's just a beast. When you get a guy who's that big and can move as well as he does, it's hard to stop."

Brains and brawn

Vikings coaches believe what truly sets Williams apart is his feel for the game. They say he's a smart player who studies film religiously and has a knack for recognizing what's happening around him. That football characteristic is always difficult to quantify, but Williams scores high marks.

"When you hear people talk about football IQ, I think his football IQ is off the charts," said Dunbar, who served as Williams' position coach for one season at Oklahoma State.

"The thing that probably gets overlooked is he's a very smart player," Birk said. "He sees things before they happen, anticipates schemes."

Vikings coach Brad Childress credited a play Williams made last week on a tendency he picked up by studying film of the Lions. Childress sat behind Williams in a team meeting earlier this week and watched him take notes.

"It's not just raw skills and ability but preparation as well," Childress said.

Combine all those things and you have one of the league's best defensive tackles. Williams agreed that this might be the best he has played in his career, although he is also quick to note that he has performed at a pretty high level since the Vikings made him a first-round pick in 2003. It's hard to argue with either point.

Williams insists he is still gradually improving, and Dunbar said "there is no ceiling" when it comes to his talent.

"He is one of the premier inside pass rushers in the NFL today, and I think before his career is over he has a chance to be the best of all," Vikings defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier said. "When you combine his strength, his athleticism, his anticipation along with his quickness, for a man with his size it's just a rare, rare combination.

"He can overpower you. He can outquick you. He can speed-rush guards. He is just a tremendous athlete. He has got some unique talents, and I'm just very, very fortunate I get a chance to watch him on Sundays and see him every day in practice."