Madieu Williams signed with Minnesota (1 Viewer)

[Jason Wood]

What a great year to be an NFL free agent.

26 year old safety Madieu Williams signed a 6-year, $33mm deal with the Vikings.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3270653

Thoughts?

 

[The Man with the Plan]

The Bengals don't care. The defense sucked with him. It'll suck without him. They'll probably let Justin Smith go somewhere else too.

 

[QuizGuy66]

I'm thinking Marvin White's stock improves in the deeped IDP leagues. Do I wish the Bengals had kept Madieu? Sure. But not at that price tag to be honest.

-QG

 

[Jene Bramel]

Good signing.

Like Yudkin pointed out in another thread and many have said over the past 12 months, the contract numbers look out of sorts but really aren't. If you want to pursue a free agent in this market of any use at all, you'll have to pay what looks like a stupid amount of cash up front.

Williams and Sharper give Leslie Frazier a couple of solid two-way safeties. Neither are thumpers, but are willing enough in run support and both have great ball skills in coverage and some in-the-box run blitz and pass rush capability. If the Vikes can find an end (or three) along the way, this defense should continue to be fun to watch.

 

[Chachi]

Good signing, the Vikings seem to know how to build a team. All they need is good QB play and another WR and I could see them at the top of the NFC.

 

[Kirby]

I'm thinking Marvin White's stock improves in the deeped IDP leagues. Do I wish the Bengals had kept Madieu? Sure. But not at that price tag to be honest.-QG

It's nice that Madieu is able to lineup at corner and blitz... but the Bengals can't afford to spend that money at safety. White and Ndukwe will fill in just fine.

 

[BoltBacker]

Good signing. Like Yudkin pointed out in another thread and many have said over the past 12 months, the contract numbers look out of sorts but really aren't. If you want to pursue a free agent in this market of any use at all, you'll have to pay what looks like a stupid amount of cash up front.

Very true. Also, these contracts often have shock value until you see the last year or two of the deal that the player isn't likely to see. Really, we have no idea whether it's a lot of $ or not before we find out if it's one of those Rich Gannon deals. I wish all the contracts were reported with the length/guaranteed $/$ of the deal.

 

[Balco]

Best signing of the free agency period so far, tough for me to give Vikes due as a Packers fan, but Williams is the real deal. Very nice signing by the Vikings.

 

[datonn]

Best signing of the free agency period so far, tough for me to give Vikes due as a Packers fan, but Williams is the real deal. Very nice signing by the Vikings.

Get us a top DE, another LB and some good QB play and I will be one happy camper.... :horns:

 

[Balco]

Best signing of the free agency period so far, tough for me to give Vikes due as a Packers fan, but Williams is the real deal. Very nice signing by the Vikings.

Get us a top DE, another LB and some good CB play and I will be one happy camper.... :horns:

I think the Vikings do have to be careful about spending their money, though. Just because you have a ton doesn't mean you should grossly overpay. Williams will be all over the field for the Vikes.

 

[Bob Magaw]

unlike the bengals, the vikes can actually stop the run, which should free up williams to become a playmaker... he hasn't looked like an elite talent, but could be good to very good in this scheme if he can stay healthy... seems like a lot for a safety, but as has been said already, using contracts by position from even a year or two ago are probably not the best compass to guide what to expect going forward...

 

[encaitar]

unlike the bengals, the vikes can actually stop the run, which should free up williams to become a playmaker... he hasn't looked like an elite talent, but could be good to very good in this scheme if he can stay healthy... seems like a lot for a safety, but as has been said already, using contracts by position from even a year or two ago are probably not the best compass to guide what to expect going forward...

Deon Grant got 6 years 31 million last year, so with the cap number increasing so much, it's not surprising to see William's contract. I agree that Williams will be a lot more free to make big plays in the Vikings defense than he was in Cinci. Hopefully it works out the way it looks like it could.

 

[reg]

These stories just never get enough enough press...

http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikings/16150602.html

Before departing Winter Park on Saturday afternoon, Madieu Williams sought out Vikings community relations director Brad Madson.

"He wanted to visit Children's Hospital," Madson said. "Today."

Madson made some phone calls, and a few hours later Williams was touring the hospital's campus at the University of Minnesota. Along with sharp coverage skills, Williams also brought a deep interest in community service when he signed a six-year, $33 million contract to be the Vikings' new free safety.

"Not only are you playing football," Williams said, "but also [you are] a member of the community. And I think that's very important to have that balance. Not only are we here to play football but to integrate ourselves in the community that we are a part of."

While playing for Cincinnati from 2004 to 2007, Williams was a regular visitor at Mercy Health Partners Hospital and served as an honorary chairman for the March of Dimes. He started the Madieu Williams Foundation in 2005 after his mother died of a stroke; the mission of the foundation is to encourage children to adopt healthy lifestyles.

Williams spent his childhood in Sierra Leone. His parents moved the family to suburban Washington, D.C., when he was 9. Williams was a star safety for the University of Maryland, where he also earned a degree in family studies. He is now pursuing a master's in health care management.

On the field, the Vikings hope Williams will help them improve their No. 32-ranked pass defense. Although safety is his natural position, Williams played cornerback at times for the Bengals.

"It just makes us so much better from a coverage standpoint," defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier said. "He'll be a tremendous asset. This is the type of safety you look for in the draft, a guy who can [hit] but still has coverage ability as well."

 

[redman]

These stories just never get enough enough press...

http://www.startribune.com/sports/vikings/16150602.html

Before departing Winter Park on Saturday afternoon, Madieu Williams sought out Vikings community relations director Brad Madson.

"He wanted to visit Children's Hospital," Madson said. "Today."

Madson made some phone calls, and a few hours later Williams was touring the hospital's campus at the University of Minnesota. Along with sharp coverage skills, Williams also brought a deep interest in community service when he signed a six-year, $33 million contract to be the Vikings' new free safety.

"Not only are you playing football," Williams said, "but also [you are] a member of the community. And I think that's very important to have that balance. Not only are we here to play football but to integrate ourselves in the community that we are a part of."

While playing for Cincinnati from 2004 to 2007, Williams was a regular visitor at Mercy Health Partners Hospital and served as an honorary chairman for the March of Dimes. He started the Madieu Williams Foundation in 2005 after his mother died of a stroke; the mission of the foundation is to encourage children to adopt healthy lifestyles.

Williams spent his childhood in Sierra Leone. His parents moved the family to suburban Washington, D.C., when he was 9. Williams was a star safety for the University of Maryland, where he also earned a degree in family studies. He is now pursuing a master's in health care management.

On the field, the Vikings hope Williams will help them improve their No. 32-ranked pass defense. Although safety is his natural position, Williams played cornerback at times for the Bengals.

"It just makes us so much better from a coverage standpoint," defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier said. "He'll be a tremendous asset. This is the type of safety you look for in the draft, a guy who can [hit] but still has coverage ability as well."

Whatever floats your boat.