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Eagles Cornerback Cary Williams Wants You To Give Him A Break

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – New Eagles cornerback Cary Williams was the subject of much conversation last week, after missing Eagles OTAs for a variety of reasons, from dental work, to tending to the building of his new home, to his daughter's recital.

Though OTAs are voluntary, Williams was one of only a few Eagles not to attend, and for reasons that seem less than urgent.

At the first day of mini-camp, Williams had one request from fans and media; relax.

"It's just funny. I mean, fans, I love y'all, but jeez, give me a break," Williams said. "If I was a guy that had three kids with three different women and I was a womanizer, you'd be reporting that. Now I'm a guy that wants to go see his girl's recital and I'm a bad guy. Like, come on, man.

"I haven't gotten in trouble in years. I've learned my lessons. I've been through so much scrutiny in previous years and things like that. If I was doing something negative, then report it. I'm not doing anything negative. I'm just trying to be a great dad, I'm just trying to be a great family man. I'm just trying to live my life outside of football and not be confined to just a box. Life does happen."

Those comments, as Williams noted, were about his daughter's recital, which was the reason given for missing the final day of OTAs. But it wasn't just the recital, it was about sconces too.

"I don't want to sound like it's disrespect. I love my job," he said. "I just had to make sure my sconces, my wood was picked out, my fireplace ... it was a whole bunch of stuff that was going on."

Every person has a right to life away from their job, but it's hard to imagine these quotes won't be the kindling used for fire if Williams doesn't play well this season. Vince Young's "dream team" comments two seasons ago provided that sort of spark, as did Michael Vick's "dynasty" comments prior to last season.

If Williams blows a coverage the opening week, don't be surprised if you hear someone wonder aloud if Williams was thinking about sconces instead of the receiver.

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