Keep An Eye On P.J. Williams
August 30th, 2018
It’s a very safe bet that the Buccaneers’ 53-man roster following Saturday afternoon’s cuts will look different come Sunday night.
That’s just the NFL.
One of the best examples was 2014 Bucs rookie returner Solomon Patton. In roughly one week’s time, he was part of the Bucs’ final cuts that summer but was then re-signed and played for Tampa Bay on opening day.
Rosters shuffle every year as more than 1,000 NFL players get released after the preseason and teams start to gobble some of them up and make room to do it.
So where might the Bucs turn?
Joe’s already shared a belief that the Bucs will attempt to find offensive line help, specifically at tackle.
Cornerback is a possible target, too, and Joe’s got an eye on Saints cornerback P.J. Williams, their third-round pick out a Florida State in 2015.
A hamstring derailed Williams’ rookie season and a concussion put him on IR as a second-year starter, but he played in 16 games last season with two interceptions and nine passes defensed. And he was contributor in two playoff games.
The Saints, though, appeared to give up on Williams in the offseason after signing Eagles cornerback Patrick Robinson in free agency and drafting two defensive backs.
Williams, 25, busted up a rib in the Saints preseason opener but he has returned and likely will play tonight against the Rams. ESPN Saints reporter Mike Triplett projects Williams won’t make their 53-man roster.
As much as the Bucs scouted Florida State in 2015, and are familiar with the Saints, Joe wonders whether there’s interest in pouncing on Williams if the Saints cut him. There’s always that hunger to get a player from your opening day opponent and to pump all the information out of him you can.
Plus, Williams does have a better resume than Ryan Smith, for example, though Joe has no clue about Williams play on special teams.
Joe’s just tossing a name out there that might make sense. And yes, Joe realizes Williams had his share of run-ins with the law at Florida State, but old transgressions don’t seem to halt the Bucs’ interest.
August 30th, 2018 at 1:40 pm
more criminals from Tallahassee, yay
August 30th, 2018 at 1:59 pm
So getting arrested for a DUI makes you a criminal now?
August 30th, 2018 at 2:02 pm
P.J. Williams has good measurables for CB, 6’0″ and 4.4 40 on his pro day. I agree with Joe, he would be an upgrade over Ryan Smith.
August 30th, 2018 at 2:05 pm
This is the critical weekend that proves a GMs abilities.
August 30th, 2018 at 2:14 pm
Do it…. I can’t think of a reason not to try him.
August 30th, 2018 at 2:22 pm
Can’t be any worse than what we have.
August 30th, 2018 at 2:36 pm
bucsfaninchina
which fsu player have the bucs signed with a Criminal Record ?????
The head of the has been underachievers mr 55 had more discipline issues in college than most of the current crop of fsu players you are accusing of being criminals. you can’t rewrite history because it feels better. mr brooks suspension at fsu was very real…. but let’s not let facts get in the way especially when comes underachieving fan favorite choirboys
August 30th, 2018 at 2:42 pm
doesn’t really move the needle for me….if licht signs him, I guess its cool….
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!…GO BUCS!!!
August 30th, 2018 at 3:08 pm
Here we go again in love with all the garage from leftover teams.
August 30th, 2018 at 3:14 pm
If you’re not tossing a mid or late round draft pick to the Raiders for Chris Warren III then idk what you’re doing. It’s almost like passing on Dalvin Cook for a Tackle who catches 2 balls per game but wtfdik
August 30th, 2018 at 3:15 pm
He sounds injury prone. It’s the one thing the Joes seem to focus on players about the most when they’re standing on the sidelines wearing their floppy hats. So why advocate for a player who seems always injured? He didn’t miss a game last year, and we are talking about taking a chance here, nothing more. Joe doesn’t care where he played college ball. Experience in the division certainly doesn’t hurt. –Joe Because he played for FSU? …pass. He maybe more talented than Smith but what does that matter if you can’t keep him on the field.
August 30th, 2018 at 3:21 pm
Not there yet Says:
August 30th, 2018 at 3:08 pm
Here we go again in love with all the garage from leftover teams.
So true. Says a lot about the GM if you’re looking for scrap pile diamonds in the rough after the last pre-season game.
August 30th, 2018 at 3:35 pm
Why all this garage talk?
August 30th, 2018 at 3:39 pm
Ryan Smith is on the roster because he, along with Robinson make a very good team at gunner on ST.
August 30th, 2018 at 3:39 pm
What about a stud safety out there like earl thomas or eric reid
August 30th, 2018 at 3:42 pm
Usually when the Joe’s say watch for this guy, that means JL looks the other way, I can’t recall and I could be wrong that the Bucs signed a player previously talked about on JBF. I’m not saying they shouldn’t have signed a few, but I am hoping the Joes can show me an article where someone was signed. As far as an upgrade over R. Smith, I doubt it only because they will play him 10 yards off the LOS too, then the question is can he tackle better than Smith, that is why he sticks around. Would like to see him more in press coverage, which to me and I am no scout/coach he seems better at.
August 30th, 2018 at 4:27 pm
yeah…lets add another man press CB so smitty can have him play off!!!!!!
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!….#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!…GO BUCS!!!!
August 30th, 2018 at 4:30 pm
@americasenabler
You do realize EVERY team does that right?
August 30th, 2018 at 4:36 pm
He’s the sole reason the Vikings made it to the NFC Championship game. He can’t tackle.
August 30th, 2018 at 4:37 pm
Why would someone take potshots at Derrick Brooks? Really? This is the new reality today. Attack anyone for any reason if they did something minor 20yrs ago. In high school one of my teachers dropped her pen on the floor. She bent over to get it and split her pants. I looked and I laughed along with others. I guess that makes me an insensitive sex offender by today’s definition. She was a real woman and identified as one.
August 30th, 2018 at 4:42 pm
Have no clue why Robert McClain hasn’t been on this roster through TC. Played great as a backup CB last year. He was a backup and tied Brent Grimes for most INTs (3). I know he was still on the streets prior to camp. Don’t know if he still is.
August 30th, 2018 at 4:52 pm
Some of you are so clueless it’s laughable.
EVERY GM is watching who gets cuts, and evaluating any players that would represent an upgrade at any position on the roster, or their practice squad.
Any GM is is NOT doing that is not doing their job…
August 30th, 2018 at 5:26 pm
Bucs are in pretty good shape though for pickups. Ahead of 25 teams or so. Isn’t that how waivers work?
August 30th, 2018 at 5:27 pm
You want to improve your team but even the best players take weeks or even months to get comfortable with the playbook.
August 30th, 2018 at 5:48 pm
Enabler, GMs and scouts make lists of players they liked in each draft, drafted or undrafted. The watch how they play in preseason, joint practices if they have them, and media reports like JBF. Every team that had Watson on their draft board is hoping the Bucs cut him and try to scoop in. This is what GMs do. It’s the smart thing, but that doesn’t mean the player is going to make it. Every team does it, it’s the job. I’m sure Licht has a list of OLman he’s waiting to see are available; or RB and CB.
August 31st, 2018 at 7:05 am
NJBucsfan…
For what it’s worth, the guy who blew the Saints Super Bowl hopes was Marcus Williams, not PJ Williams…