All Eyes On Mike Williams
August 11th, 2010
Former NFL safety Matt Bowen identifies five rookies to watch while you soak in just about every preseason game this weekend on NFL Network.
What? You don’t have the NFL Network? (Joe will spare you the lose-the-skirt/Outhouse Networks rant today).
No surprise that Bowen, who writes for NationalFootballPost.com, picks Bucs wide receiver Mike Williams in his top 5 to watch in hopes we’re better able to see how his mad talent translates on the NFL gridiron. Has there ever been so much hype surrounding a fourth round pick?
Mike Williams, WR, Tampa
Rookie receivers are always hard to judge. They are inconsistent and once we see them in game action, our opinions often change. But, for Williams, he looks the part so far. Talk to anyone down in Tampa and they will tell you how good he has looked this offseason and so far in training camp. Williams has top-tier skill when we look at what he can do on the field, and now he just has to have a mature, professional attitude to keep up the momentum. I want to see him stretch the field and make plays in the red zone this August — where he can develop into a top target for QB Josh Freeman. Still some questions to ask. Can he convert routes vs. pressure looks? Can he beat press-man at the line of scrimmage? How does his top-end speed compare to CBs in this league? Can he block in the run game? Lots of talent with Williams — now he has to show the Bucs he can handle the competition.
It surely will be hard to guage all that if Williams is only out there for one series on Saturday, as Raheem The Dream suggests could happen.
Regardless, Williams and Arrelious Benn will have plenty of chances to show what they can do in the coming weeks. Joe will be giddy if just one becomes a reliable threat.
August 11th, 2010 at 1:27 pm
“Joe will be giddy if just one becomes a reliable threat.”– amen to that
August 11th, 2010 at 1:33 pm
Stud in the making….
August 11th, 2010 at 1:45 pm
He dang sure looks great in practice.
Of course, we have heard that one before.
August 11th, 2010 at 1:49 pm
Knock on wood Eric! Let’s hope their first name is the only thing they share…well, MW can be rookie of the year too, but that is where we draw the line.
August 11th, 2010 at 1:57 pm
Shoot one of them best be a star…If not then wow..We draft 2 DT 2 WR we cant miss on all..Our luck is better than that i pray…Go Bucs race to 10
August 11th, 2010 at 4:08 pm
Ide Personaly like to see Benn and williams with stoval playing a role like old joe jerivisous. i dont know how to spell his name but we all know who im talking about. alternate him and stroughter… it could devolope into some serious depth some day. and i would like to see clayton do something too but im not holding my breath.
August 11th, 2010 at 4:20 pm
I can’t be the only person nervous about handing a starting job to a rookie with a history of off-the-field issues, right? Isn’t anyone else worried he’s gonna become a prima donna basket case or start losing focus? He’s hardly had to work at all and already he’s the next Mark Carrier…
August 11th, 2010 at 4:58 pm
@ Jamie
His “off the field problems” were that he screwed around in class. He didnt get arrested or get caught with drugs or anything like that. He just disliked school and was suspended for not keeping his grades up.
August 11th, 2010 at 6:06 pm
Anyone else think Mike Williams’ photo in Madden 2011 resembles Antoine Dodson?
August 11th, 2010 at 8:21 pm
I’m nromally pretty positive and trusting in the coaching staff, but if our second year guys and rookies only play one possession, our coaches are idiots. I don’t care who is a projected starter and who isn’t. 1st and 2nd year guys need to be playing in preseason and showing who deserves to be a starter.
If Benn and Williams both play heavily in preseason, Benn could end up surpassing Williams and earning the starting role. This team is sooo young and there is sooo much competition…they need to play alot in preseason. Even Freeman.