Mike Williams Released (1 Viewer)

[BlueDredSo]

That right tackle spot doesn't even require finesse, just pure mauling ability and in college he certainly showed that.  I guess the rumors of his laziness and unreceptiveness to coaching are true.

oh cmon, we all know talent is all that matters, not attitude. Even if I had a dire need at the position, I wouldn't draft the most talented player in the draft if he came with blatant baggage.

Like Bryant McKinnie?

 

[cstu]

On second thought, doesn't this eerily remind you of another tubby O-Lineman who ended up flaming out?

Lincoln Kennedy?

At least he was good for a short time.

No, my point was he wasn't very good for ATL at all. He was highly thought of coming out of college and drafted in the top half of the first round. Plenty called him a lazy "bust" that was out of shape and not motivated before he moved to OAK, went to three straight pro-bowls and was considered by many as a team leader toward the end of his career.

Good point. Forgot about his time in the ATL.

Lincoln Kennedy was a considered a huge bust for the Falcons (#9 overall in 1996) so it's conceivable that Williams can make a similar transformation.

For every Lincoln Kennedy there is a Charles McRae, Stan Thomas, Antone Davis . . . etc.

That seem like more of an argument against taking OT's high in the draft(which I also disagree with) than trying to revive the career of an underperforming high 1st round OT.You have to factor into that equation the team that picks up Williams won't be giving up much in the way of salary to do so and the expectations on him will be as depth at OT/G. Maybe he was underwhelmed with the prospect of playing gaurd in the past but getting cut by a team certainly goes a long way towards teaching one humility.

BUF wasn't criticized for reaching for Williams in the draft. I'd say most people thought he was a top 10 talent so he has the physical tools to at the very least be productive.

What would make you think WIlliams could be turned into an even adequate guard. The Bills tried that and it was a disaster. I can't imagine Williams trying to block the one gap scheme D Tackles in the league. Guards do not have to be monsters, they have to fire out of their stance, use leverage, and recover well in pass blocking. Williams has none of these attributes.

Leonard Davis who built just like him - (6-6, 370 and also from Texas) played guard his first few years after being the #2 overall pick in 2001. This is what a recent article had to say about him:

One of the key decisions coaches will make this offseason will be deciding if Leonard Davis remains at left tackle or should move to guard. Coach Dennis Green has been adamant that Davis has the skills to play left tackle, and has pointed out several times that such a high pick (second overall in 2001) should not be used on a guard. But Davis started his career at guard and played much better at that spot than he has at tackle. He's been average at tackle, but he was a devastating guard, especially in the run game. By moving Davis to guard, the Cardinals would solidify a week spot, strengthening the interior of the line. The downside of such a move, however, is that the club would have to find a left tackle in free agency or the draft. There's no one on the roster capable of playing there. . . .

 

[BoltBacker]

What would make you think WIlliams could be turned into an even adequate guard.

The fact he was rated as the best run blocker in the draft by almost every expert a few short years ago.

 

[Balco]

On second thought, doesn't this eerily remind you of another tubby O-Lineman who ended up flaming out?

Lincoln Kennedy?

At least he was good for a short time.

No, my point was he wasn't very good for ATL at all. He was highly thought of coming out of college and drafted in the top half of the first round. Plenty called him a lazy "bust" that was out of shape and not motivated before he moved to OAK, went to three straight pro-bowls and was considered by many as a team leader toward the end of his career.

Good point. Forgot about his time in the ATL.

Lincoln Kennedy was a considered a huge bust for the Falcons (#9 overall in 1996) so it's conceivable that Williams can make a similar transformation.

For every Lincoln Kennedy there is a Charles McRae, Stan Thomas, Antone Davis . . . etc.

That seem like more of an argument against taking OT's high in the draft(which I also disagree with) than trying to revive the career of an underperforming high 1st round OT.

You have to factor into that equation the team that picks up Williams won't be giving up much in the way of salary to do so and the expectations on him will be as depth at OT/G. Maybe he was underwhelmed with the prospect of playing gaurd in the past but getting cut by a team certainly goes a long way towards teaching one humility.

BUF wasn't criticized for reaching for Williams in the draft. I'd say most people thought he was a top 10 talent so he has the physical tools to at the very least be productive.

What would make you think WIlliams could be turned into an even adequate guard. The Bills tried that and it was a disaster. I can't imagine Williams trying to block the one gap scheme D Tackles in the league. Guards do not have to be monsters, they have to fire out of their stance, use leverage, and recover well in pass blocking. Williams has none of these attributes.

Leonard Davis who built just like him - (6-6, 370 and also from Texas) played guard his first few years after being the #2 overall pick in 2001.

This is what a recent article had to say about him:

One of the key decisions coaches will make this offseason will be deciding if Leonard Davis remains at left tackle or should move to guard. Coach Dennis Green has been adamant that Davis has the skills to play left tackle, and has pointed out several times that such a high pick (second overall in 2001) should not be used on a guard. But Davis started his career at guard and played much better at that spot than he has at tackle. He's been average at tackle, but he was a devastating guard, especially in the run game. By moving Davis to guard, the Cardinals would solidify a week spot, strengthening the interior of the line. The downside of such a move, however, is that the club would have to find a left tackle in free agency or the draft. There's no one on the roster capable of playing there. . . .

I know a couple of guys built like Mike Williams. Should I tell them to hire Drew Rosenhaus and start talking to teams in need of offensive guards?

 

[Balco]

What would make you think WIlliams could be turned into an even adequate guard.

The fact he was rated as the best run blocker in the draft by almost every expert a few short years ago.

Not sure what relevance that has. Many thought Ryan Leaf was a franchise quarterback, Aundrey Bruce was the second coming of LT, Tony Mandarich was already the best T in the NFL . . . etc.

 

[matuski]

Sad. When Mike came out of Texas I thought he would tear the NFL up. I stood next to him several times during his college career and he is just HUGE. I guess it takes more than size to play on the next level. I hope he gets his issues (whatever they are) settled and makes a comeback, he is still young for a lineman.

And you now think VY will tear it up in the NFL... I think I see a trend!

 

[Bri]

What would make you think WIlliams could be turned into an even adequate guard.

The fact he was rated as the best run blocker in the draft by almost every expert a few short years ago.

Not sure what relevance that has. Many thought Ryan Leaf was a franchise quarterback, Aundrey Bruce was the second coming of LT, Tony Mandarich was already the best T in the NFL . . . etc.

It has relevance in that he COULD block, he has the ABILITY. He doesn't have the right mindset, now he has no coach, he'll have to have a coach take him under his wing and re-teach him and.....yeah alot has to happen but there's a good bit of clay there if the right coach can sculpt it

 

[cstu]

What would make you think WIlliams could be turned into an even adequate guard.

The fact he was rated as the best run blocker in the draft by almost every expert a few short years ago.

Not sure what relevance that has. Many thought Ryan Leaf was a franchise quarterback, Aundrey Bruce was the second coming of LT, Tony Mandarich was already the best T in the NFL . . . etc.

It has relevance in that he COULD block, he has the ABILITY. He doesn't have the right mindset, now he has no coach, he'll have to have a coach take him under his wing and re-teach him and.....yeah alot has to happen but there's a good bit of clay there if the right coach can sculpt it

He can still run block, I don't believe that's why he was cut. He failed to be able to pass block in the NFL and didn't try/was injured when they tried to turn him into a guard.

 

[Balco]

What would make you think WIlliams could be turned into an even adequate guard.

The fact he was rated as the best run blocker in the draft by almost every expert a few short years ago.

Not sure what relevance that has. Many thought Ryan Leaf was a franchise quarterback, Aundrey Bruce was the second coming of LT, Tony Mandarich was already the best T in the NFL . . . etc.

It has relevance in that he COULD block, he has the ABILITY. He doesn't have the right mindset, now he has no coach, he'll have to have a coach take him under his wing and re-teach him and.....yeah alot has to happen but there's a good bit of clay there if the right coach can sculpt it

McNally is one of the best o line coaches in pro football. I don't doubt that Williams has the ability to be a road grader at right tackle. However, he does not have the feet to pass block or get to the 2nd level (especially important if he were to be switched to guard).

 

[Portis 26]

Don't worry folks, it'll all end happily, he went to 9 straight Pro Bowls for my Madden Raiders team after having been acquired in 2011.

 

[cstu]

Don't worry folks, it'll all end happily, he went to 9 straight Pro Bowls for my Madden Raiders team after having been acquired in 2011.

He played 19 years??

 

[Portis 26]

He played 19 years??

Sure, elite tackles have Jackie Slater like longevity.