How do you view the Mike Williams experiment?

Neophyte · Status: Offline

How do you view the Mike Williams experiment?

Chris · Status: Offline

I'll file it in the 'nothing ventured, nothing gained' category.

If it works out well it's genius. If he can't cut it we lose nothing.

I doubt we changed our draft strategy (whatever it was) due to the presence of Mike Williams so I don't see a voting option that fits for me.

Hog Fever · Status: Offline

Sorry to screw up the poll but I agree with Chris here. I file it under "can't hurt", but saying that there was/is some great plan here with him would be stretching it. The staff found out about him because he was one of Dockery's buddies not great scouting. So even if he works out they can't take much credit for it except for giving him a chance in training camp that costs them nothing.

If he makes the team and can contribute it's a good story. If he doesn't make the team it cost us no draft picks and no huge money contract, still a good story.

SonnyJ · Status: Offline

Yeah, I agree with the other two. This is definitely in the "throw it against the wall and see if it sticks" category. Just a potential body that they stumbled upon.

None of the options really fit how I would classify the move.

Aston · Status: Offline

Personally, I think any depth is good depth. We're awfully thin at this position, we haven't invested too much in the guy, and he's apparently willing to put in the work. What's not to like?

Additionally, I'm starting to get the impression that our front office sees our woes along offensive line a bit differently than most of us fans do.

Kind of like last year with the defensive line. The majority of the media and most of the fan base thought if we didn't address the defensive line, we'd be dead in the water. Can't say I wasn't one of them.

We went on to ignore that line (with the exception of adding Taylor, which was more of an emergency job than an act of addressing the long term future), got bashed by the world, and despite the lack of a consistent pash rush, our line play was pretty damn solid. Hardly the Achilles Heel many thought it would be anyway.

So maybe they're confident that they can squeeze another year or two out of guys like like Jansen and Thomas, and think Williams can be a depth guy. We DEFINITELY need to draft or acquire some younger talent pretty soon though. Williams doesn't strike me as starter material.

-- Edited by Aston on Wednesday 6th of May 2009 12:10:49 AM

fish · Status: Offline

Nothing really new to add here - I'm in agreement with the consensus above; can't hurt and didn't/doesn't cost us much.

The guy seems to have a good attitude, 'didn't come here to not start, weight loss for health reasons, not just a paycheck' etc.

Who knows? Maybe it's our turn to get lucky for a change!

KB24 · Status: Offline

Aston wrote:

So maybe they're confident that they can squeeze another year or two out of guys like like Jansen and Thomas, and think Williams can be a depth guy. We DEFINITELY need to draft or acquire some younger talent pretty soon though. Williams doesn't strike me as starter material.

-- Edited by Aston on Wednesday 6th of May 2009 12:10:49 AM

But, wouldn't it be better long term to scout out and develop talent instead of trying to "squeeze another year or two out of guys" whose best games are quite possibly behind them? Too often, I think this front office isn't committed to doing the leg work to put the best time out there, instead opting for "superstars" and well-known names.

Aston · Status: Offline

KB24 wrote:
Aston wrote:

So maybe they're confident that they can squeeze another year or two out of guys like like Jansen and Thomas, and think Williams can be a depth guy. We DEFINITELY need to draft or acquire some younger talent pretty soon though. Williams doesn't strike me as starter material.

-- Edited by Aston on Wednesday 6th of May 2009 12:10:49 AM

But, wouldn't it be better long term to scout out and develop talent instead of trying to "squeeze another year or two out of guys" whose best games are quite possibly behind them? Too often, I think this front office isn't committed to doing the leg work to put the best time out there, instead opting for "superstars" and well-known names.

You would think. I certainly agree with you. I'd much rather have 10 'B' rated offensive linemen than one or two 'A's and a mix of 'D's and 'C's.

Neophyte · Status: Offline

No worries. New poll option added using Chris's suggestion of "nothing ventured, nothing gained." I thought I had something for everyone but have not problem acknowledging when something is flawed.

-- Edited by Neophyte on Wednesday 6th of May 2009 11:01:08 AM

Om · Status: Offline

Not to overstate it, but ... something in the back of my mind has been saying the same thing over and over since that first report I heard from Doc Walker about Williams' "explosion" during the workout Doc watched:

This may be the story of the year.

I'm not quite ready to put it in specific terms in print, but if training camp rolls around and Williams has continued to progress like he has the past month or so ... I'll lay it out there. I think this guy could totally change the way the Redskins offense is perceived this year.

B&G · Status: Offline

Mike Williams certainly had the talent but perhaps not the drive or maturity when he was taken as a high 1st rounder by Buffalo.

Whether he now still has the talent and has acquired the will and discipline he needs to succeed remains to be seen.

My expectations aren't too high but I don't overlook the possibility that he could be the 1 out 20 who comes all the way back after a lackluster start. Let's hope he does!

Oh, and I agree with Om....if he does make it, he might well be a monster at right tackle.

Dan T. · Status: Offline

This is a low risk high reward gamble, so what's not to like? I'm an optimist when it comes to stories like this, so I see a postive outcome ahead.

Williams has the physical tools and the talent. His apparent downfall, after being derailed by injuries, was motivation. After time away from the game, he seems to have found some perspective and new motivation, which he's applying in full force toward reviving his career. So I agree this could be a real success story for him and the Redskins.

Then again, I thought the same thing about Erasmus James last year.