Mike Williams Likes His Odds At Punt Returner
July 29th, 2013
Joe brought you word last week that Mike Williams was in the mix to land the Bucs’ punt returner job.
So do you like it, Mike?
“Yeah, I get the ball in my hands. It’s almost like a 65 or 70 percent chance that I’m going to get the ball on that play. So I like that,” Williams told Joe yesterday. “[Coaches] have been telling me I’ve been catching the punts real good. I didn’t do it in college or high school. I guess they see something in me that they want to bring out.”
“I’m going to try and be the best punt returner in the league. They put me back at punts and I’m trying to work there as hard as I do at receiver.”
Joe gets the Bucs’ interest in Williams at punt returner. Aside from his very sure hands, he’s explosive. But Williams winning that job also would give the Bucs more flexibility with their gameday roster, to activate an extra defensive end or cornerback, for example.
July 29th, 2013 at 8:07 am
I have one word for this…NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!
July 29th, 2013 at 8:15 am
$40M/$15M guaranteed is at risk every time they punt… No thanks. Page will do just fine.
July 29th, 2013 at 8:21 am
We know Mike has great hands….but will he put one of them up for a fair catch?….I worry about putting our #2 receiver in that spot.
Surely there is someone else that can do this.
How about Myron? We seem to keep him for a reason….
July 29th, 2013 at 8:36 am
If this keeps up then it’ll feel like what the Redskins (yeah I said that racial word) did with Rg3. Pretty much putting him in harms way. It’s not a smart idea, then again the Eagles do it with Djacks
July 29th, 2013 at 8:45 am
I don’t like this at all, we need Mike, if he returns punts, it will also increase his chances of getting injured, not only that, he’s also going to be somewhat winded while having to line up at flanker immediately after that, and more injuries occur when a payer is not at 100%-punt returners are a dime a dozen! When something like this comes up, I immediately think of Nathan Wonsley, a promising young RB, who ended up in a halo to keep his head straight after Leeman Bennet thought it’d be a good idea to play him on Special Teams, all it took was one hit and that ended what could’ve been a great career for Nate. It’s not worth it!
July 29th, 2013 at 8:45 am
I don’t mind him being an option, but I don’t want him to be THE guy back there. If he has to go back there constantly, then we failed bringing in all these guys who couldn’t win the job.
July 29th, 2013 at 8:50 am
Personally I don’t like the thought of Mike being out there returning punts. He’s our number 2 receiver and the thought of him getting absolutely clobbered out there, (we’ve ALL seen those hits), makes me hope one of the other candidates will step up and win the punt return job.
July 29th, 2013 at 9:06 am
put him out there. he’s tough.
that being said, I see this more as a motivator for the guys who are competing for the job.
July 29th, 2013 at 9:17 am
While I agree with the sentiment that you don’t want to run the risk of injury to a starting receiver, they’re dressed for a reason.
I’m sure fans of other teams say the same thing when their starting receiver is fielding a punt. I think even Wes Welker was still fielding punts while putting up 100+ reception years.
@Joe,
On your last statement as to the fact that it would be beneficial to open up a roster spot by allowing multiple jobs: if your KR can’t perform the duties of PR (which would hopefully be a guy that could play either RB/WR/DB), wouldn’t you still be “wasting” a gameday roster spot? I highly doubt the coaching staff would use a roster spot on a guy that can only return punts.
July 29th, 2013 at 9:21 am
Bad idea! Following practice on Twitter. Mike just dropped a punt. Schiano is yelling his name. Here we go!
July 29th, 2013 at 9:40 am
Eh whos to say mike will wont get injured at WR? We still dont know exactly what we have behind Mike Williams at WR yet. No one has proven themselves, but not many have gotten a legit shot to step in if #19 were to go down. Im all for it Mike, earn that paycheck!
July 29th, 2013 at 10:50 am
I would say Williams has a far better chance of getting injured on a crossing pattern over the middle than on a punt return. It’s easy to get blindsided on a lot of routes but returning a punt you can at least see what’s coming at you. I think he’ll do fine if he gets the job. Still, it would surprise me if he’s the only guy they can find to return punts. My guess is Page will end up being the return man. Good hands and better speed.
July 29th, 2013 at 12:01 pm
When I think of a returner, I think of fast and elusive. 2 things that I dont think of when you say Mike Williams.
As a #2 receiver he is great. Just not seeing the attraction as a receiver.
July 29th, 2013 at 12:02 pm
Not seeing the attraction as a returner*
July 29th, 2013 at 12:52 pm
For the record I hate this idea.
Too easy to get hurt for 0 benefit. Williams won’t take it to the house much from back there. An he could get hurt. I’m having flashes of Karl Williams. Good returner. Not dangerous.
July 29th, 2013 at 1:51 pm
I’m with BucsFanInChina & Bobby on this, unless there is proof returning punts is more of an injury risk than just playing WR.
July 29th, 2013 at 3:40 pm
[…] I get the ball in my hands. It’s almost like a 65 or 70 percent chance that I’m going to get the ball on that play,” […]
July 30th, 2013 at 12:08 am
What ever happened to Clifton smith?
July 30th, 2013 at 12:26 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoxjYo4qLnE
July 30th, 2013 at 4:55 am
I was at the game, when Smith took that it. I was on the opposite side of the stadium, 4th row tunnel. I will never forget that sound. Bone chilling.
July 30th, 2013 at 2:07 pm
Hey, let’s call Vernon Turner back!
July 30th, 2013 at 11:30 pm
DeSean Jackson does it.
And his contract is the same.
And hes smaller.
Mike Williams has one of the best side step jukes in the league. Which isgreat for a punt returner. Mike Williams can make people flat out WHIFF him! Im serious.
Mike Williams could be great at this.