It feels like a long time since we saw San Francisco 49ers left tackle Trent Williams destroy Arizona Cardinals linebacker Jordan Hicks on a block during Week 1. The offensive lineman has been the subject of debate among analysts in recent weeks.
The overall perception has been that Williams has struggled. Although, the tackle will debate that and defend his performances.
"I know sometimes the public perception can think some things are on you when in-house, you kind of know they're not," Williams said last week. "That's a tough deal to kind of juggle with, just dealing with perception vs. reality."
General manager John Lynch joined KNBR on Friday morning and evaluated Williams' recent play.
"I think Trent has a standard, and that's part of the onus that's on you when you're a gifted player, and you're a great player who's played at a high level in this league, is that the standard is very high," Lynch said on the Murph & Mac show. "I think with his first couple of games, he established a standard of what he's capable of, and that's dominating people in front of him.
"The Philly game, I think a lot was made of it. I don't think he played as bad as people felt. Last week, he had his struggles. And again, that's just to his standard. In this league, your top players, they've got to play great, and we need that this week from our top players. They've got to play at a really high level for us to be successful, and I'm expecting that.
"I think when you lose a Joe Staley, a DeForest Buckner, an Emmanuel Sanders, a lot of those guys, that was their greatest trait. In the big moments, they played great, and that's what we've got to have."
In April, San Francisco acquired Williams from Washington via a trade to replace retired tackle and long-time Niner, Joe Staley. While Staley, a six-time Pro Bowl selection, was well-respected, most saw Williams as an upgrade.
"I've got great confidence in Trent," Lynch continued. "We're just getting to know him. Kyle's known him for a lot longer. I love the way he's practicing, and I think typically, when a talented player like that kind of goes through a rough stretch, they usually come back with a great effort, and that's what I'm fully expecting out of Trent."
The 49ers tackles seem less concerned with outside analysis than in-house analysis. Right tackle Mike McGlinchey recently criticized those who have tried to label his own play as "poor."
"I think each week, [my play has] gotten better and better," McGlinchey told reporters on Wednesday. "I think the things that you have been saying have been a little bit over the top. I think nobody's watching a complete football game. They're chasing a lazy narrative of one play or two, and they see something on Twitter, and they think they have it figured out."
You can listen to the entire conversation with Lynch below.
