Collared: League upholds suspension of Dallas' Williams

IRVING, Texas -- Cowboys safety Roy Williams indeed will be suspended from Saturday night's game at Carolina as punishment for his repeated use of the horse-collar tackle, a maneuver banned a few years ago mainly because of him.

Williams appealed the ruling, but the league stuck to its stance even after hearing his side of the story. He'll also be out one week's pay, $35,000.

Williams took down Philadelphia quarterback Donovan McNabb from the back of the neck of his jersey Sunday. It was his third such tackle this season and the fourth in two years. He'd been warned after the previous one, in October, that another could result in a suspension. He racked up $37,500 for his previous three punishments.

"Commissioner (Roger) Goodell has denied the appeal of the one-game suspension of Roy Williams," the NFL said in a statement. "The horse-collar tackling technique is prohibited because the Competition Committee and the clubs have determined that it presents an unacceptable risk to player safety. Rules that protect and advance player safety must be enforced in a way that will deter violations and prevent injuries from occurring."

Williams leads the team with 65 solo tackles and is second in total tackles with 83, so his absence will be a stiff blow to the Cowboys, especially because of the timing.

Dallas and Green Bay are 12-2 and fighting for home-field advantage in the NFC playoffs. The Cowboys own the tiebreaker, but must win their last two games to be guaranteed the top seed. Otherwise, they risk having to play the NFC championship game at Lambeau Field.

Special teams ace Keith Davis will start at strong safety. Rookie Courtney Brown also will be used in some packages. The secondary also is weakened by backup free safety Pat Watkins likely being out with an ankle injury.

The NFL implemented the horse-collar ban -- aka "The Roy Williams Rule" -- beginning in 2005, the season after he ruined Terrell Owens' leg and ankle with one of his jerk 'em down from behind moves.

Now a teammate, Owens said Wednesday he had flashbacks to his own gruesome injury when Williams collared McNabb.

"It took my breath away," T.O. said.

Owens said Williams should know better by now, especially because the rule was put in place due to his actions. He hopes this convinces Williams to find a new way to stop ballcarriers.

"The way he tackles is very, very dangerous," Owens said. "I think he needs to do something to kind of correct that. Other than that, Roy is a great guy. But the thing is, you have to be safe. I know this is a violent game, but you have to tackle safely. ... You don't want to end a guy's career. And to tackle someone in that manner, it's just not right."