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Back in March the Lions acquired defensive tackle Corey Williams through a trade with Cleveland with the primary objective being to improve their pass rush, an area that Detroit had struggled in the previous year.

During his two seasons with the Browns, Williams was ill fit in a 3-4 system and didn’t see the production that he had enjoyed during the first four years of his career in Green Bay.

By putting Williams back in a defense with a base 4-3, it was anticipated that he would play a very important role on the defensive line.

“Corey was a player that we thought fit very well in what we want to do; he’s a player that had very good success at Green Bay playing a very, very similar scheme that for the last two years hasn’t had the same production,” said Head Coach Jim Schwartz after completing the trade.

“He’s an explosive player, he’s got good size, but he’s not just a hunker down run defender. He’s been used that way a little bit with the last two years, but that’s not all that he has. He has the ability to be multi-dimensional.”

Watching Williams on the field through the first five game of the season, it’s clear that he’s excited to be back in his niche, proving that he still has the ability and athleticism when placed in the right scheme.

“Oh man, it’s been great. Words can’t explain it,” said Williams. "To be back to my old self where I can get off the ball and make plays. I still thank coach Schwartz, Martin Mayhew – all of them for bringing me in and giving me the opportunity to come back and play in a 4-3.”

Defenive line coach Kris Kocurek loves having Williams on his defensive line and to him the change in Williams’ play has been drastic since getting back into a 4-3, where he’s able to display his athletic ability.

“What we look for inside with our d-tackles is an explosive big man and that’s what Corey is,” said Kocurek.

“He’s explosive, he’s athletic and really, really flexible for the position. If you have him lining-up in a 3-4 defense and he’s kind of a read and react type player, then he doesn’t get to display his ability, where here we get off the ball, we line-up in wide techniques and he’s able to use his athletic ability more and you’re able to see it more in this scheme.”

So far, Williams has recorded 17 tackles, 1.0 sack, 3 pass defenses, a forced fumble and an interception for a 27-yard return.

While he’ll admit his sack numbers aren’t as high as he’d like, he has without a doubt kept the quarterback under pressure, and in turn, has been able to use his presence in the middle to push out and help the other defensive linemen make plays.

“My pass rush has been kind of up and down right now,” said Williams. “But I think I’ve helped open it up for other guys, like Kyle (Vanden Bosch), has 1.5 sacks and (Ndamukong) Suh, he’s got 3.0 of sacks and Cliff (Avril) too. I think my presence in the middle helps the other guys.”

Off the field, Williams has had an equally big impact on the d-line.

As a seventh-year player, Williams brings “hard work and smiles,” and knowledge of the game to a relatively young defensive line.

“It’s really instrumental with our young players, having an older guy that’s been in the league and has been really, really successful, come in and have the type of attitude that Corey’s had since he’s been here,” said Kocurek.

“He’s been really helpful with guys like Andre Fluellen and Sammie Hill and all of our younger players. He’s always looking to give them tips on things and help them in any way that he can. The way that he leads by example on the football field, getting to the football; like in the last game where he made an effort play in the red zone where he stripped the ball out, when they were going in to score. It’s just things like that that you have your players see on film, see in the meeting rooms and see on the practice field. It’s been outstanding for our group.”