Vikes CB Williams transition tag (1 Viewer)

[Bri]

The Minnesota Vikings named cornerback Brian Williams, a fourth-round draft pick out of North Carolina State in 2002, as their transition player Thursday, which prevents him from becoming an unrestricted free agent.

By league rules, the Vikings must tender Williams a one-year qualifying offer at the average of the 10 highest-paid players at his position or 120 percent of his 2005 salary - whichever is greater. Williams will still be allowed to sign an offer sheet with another team, which Minnesota would have a week to match.

The NFL's deadline for designating franchise or transition players was Thursday.

Williams replaced an injured Fred Smoot, one of the Vikings' top free-agent signings last year, and started the last eight games. Williams played well enough to keep his spot when Smoot returned, relegating Smoot to the nickelback role.

Williams has started 48 of a possible 66 games in his career. He had 11 passes defended and four interceptions last season.

http://www.thestate.com/mld/charlotte/spor...ll/13943062.htm

 

[Vikes Fan]

Williams played well at the end of last year, but I have been wondering if it was because he was playing for a contract. At times 2 years ago he looked lost. Do other Vikes fans think he will be the nickel, or the starter, moving Smoot to the nickel?

Or are they just figuring that they will be compensated if he signs elsewhere and have no real intention of keeping him?

 

[Bri]

rumor mill type link here NOT fact-

Pssst: There's a decent chance that Vikings free-agent cornerback Brian Williams will sign with the Packers. So, by putting an NFL transition tag on him, Minnesota could affect Green Bay's salary cap, making the Packers pay more than they otherwise would. It's an old salary cap strategy.

http://www.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpress...ts/13963341.htm

 

[Maelstrom]

I have read that the Vikings would like to find a way to get Smoot, Winfield and Williams on the field at the same time, possibly by asking Williams to move to Safety. This is somewhat unlikely since Williams doesn't even want to play for the Vikings anymore, much less switch positions to do so. Regardless, the new "regime" in Minn has contacted Williams agent to remind him that it would be a new start for Williams, hoping to sway him into negotiating with the Vikings.

That's from a couple different articles, and it's too late to dig up links right now. Maybe in the morning I'll find a few if people really want them.

 

[RustyFA]

From what I have heard the Vikes want Williams to start at FS for them.

 

[BlueOnion]

Personally I think Williams is a much better fit for the cover-2 than Smoot. However, I think Williams just wants to get out of Minnesota and get a fresh start.