Kerwynn Williams “Found His Niche;” What Does it Mean?
May 10th, 2019
By ZACHARY SEIFTER
JoeBucsFan.com intern
Adam Humphries was a safe, but certainly not sexy, punt returner. Desean Jackson usually refused to play special teams.
Kaelin Clay? Ryan Smith? Jacquizz Rodgers? It has been a revolving door of failure for the Bucs in their search of a dynamic kick returner.
Enter Kerwynn Williams.
The Bucs’ newest running back played for Bruce Arians and the Cardinals from 2014-2017 and was picked up earlier this week. He has experience as a returner and previously earned the trust of Arians.
For a while, Williams bounced on and off the Cardinals roster. It was his work on his return skills that allowed him to finally stick around.
Arians touched on this in an interview with Arizona reporters before a game against the Redskins in December 2017.
“That’s his grit. He got cut a number of times,” Arians said. “He kept getting a little bit bigger, a little bit stronger, really worked on his hands. That was a problem early on in his career. Really worked on his hands, found his niche in kick returns. ‘The more you can do.’ He bought in to ‘the more you can do.’”
Williams improved significantly as a punt returner too. In that same interview, Arians said “he couldn’t catch punts two years ago to save his life, but he catches them really good now.”
But Williams finished the 2017 season ranked 29th in both yards per punt return (6.5) and kick return (20.4) — among players with 10 attempts or more in each category.
Ironically, in 2017, Rodgers ranked 16th with the Bucs and ex-Buc Bobby Rainey was second in the NFL for the Ravens.
Williams was unemployed through the 2018 regular season after the Chiefs cut him, but showcasing those improved return skills Arians referenced would really give Williams an edge over the other Bucs running backs. With it being unknown how many running backs will be kept on the final roster, it’s important to stand out on special teams.
Williams could finally be the returner the Bucs have been yearning for.
But only if he finds his niche again.
In the spirit of Kramerica Industries, JoeBucsFan.com has a college intern for a few months. It’s a true rarity. In addition to soaking up wisdom from The Sage of Tampa Bay sports, Zachary Seifter has a pile of Bucs knowledge himself and you’ll see some of his work here occasionally.
May 10th, 2019 at 5:38 am
Thanks. –Joe
May 10th, 2019 at 5:44 am
Arians show great loyalty and expects it in return…….worked for him so far….hope it works for Bucs….
May 10th, 2019 at 6:13 am
How much you wanna bet Desean plays special teams in Philly!!!
May 10th, 2019 at 6:41 am
Not sure this guy makes the team
May 10th, 2019 at 6:42 am
Joe
How many guys do we have on the team that were out of football last year ?
May 10th, 2019 at 6:51 am
Bird, Wait for final cuts. A lot of these players are basically trying out or running on scout team. If we are likely going to cut a bunch of these guys, its better to have guys that can help teach the system.
May 10th, 2019 at 7:19 am
This signing was intended to motivate RoJo. Williams won’t make team.
May 10th, 2019 at 7:37 am
Bird Says:
May 10th, 2019 at 6:42 am
Joe
How many guys do we have on the team that were out of football last year ?
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Same thing I was thinking recently.
May 10th, 2019 at 7:45 am
Yawn…chewed on this shoe leather before,all too often, The new coach brings in his old favorite players that had great spunk and effort in practice but are never really going to be NFL players
May 10th, 2019 at 8:38 am
Also, keep an eye on UDFA RB Bruce Anderson
May 10th, 2019 at 8:39 am
No problem…
May 10th, 2019 at 8:57 am
Are the bucs building an XFL squad or one to compete in the NFC South. Maccafery, Kamara, Freeman are legit NFL Rbs..Heck the South’s #2s are better than the bucs when you have barner, payne, and latavious murray as your back ups
May 10th, 2019 at 9:03 am
Evans Godwin OJ Marpet and maybe an old Lavonte, those are the only players that would be guaranteed starters on other teams, it’s absolutely pathetic how bad this team drafts and operates, it’s comical and embarrassing to be a fan of this team
May 10th, 2019 at 9:24 am
tbbf
i agree….
i think thats why players will run thru a brick wall for BA…..
GO BUCS!!!!
May 10th, 2019 at 9:25 am
The Buc Realist Says:
June 21st, 2018 at 6:48 pm
Huge pass to the coaching staff issued by the “real” Buc fans!!!!!!!!!
GO Bucs!!!!!!!!!
May 10th, 2019 at 10:06 am
It was a small miracle that probably the best kick returner in all of college football, Darrell Henderson fell to the Bucs at the 70th pick but Gump swapped him for two magic beans.
It was a very small sample, but from what I saw, when he was allowed to, he averaged about 45 yards.
Yes, Maccafery, Kamara, and Freeman are legit NFL Rbs but I doubt any could match DH’s numbers. 27 TD’s, 2300 yards, 8.9 YPC and 14.5 yards per reception.
The good thing is that we will soon see Henderson tear up the NFC West and put the Rams in another Super Bowl while the Gumpster fire hides his head in shame.
Fire Licht tonight!
May 10th, 2019 at 10:10 am
BA’s old players & coaches? Not a lot of confidence. BA seems to be living in the past.
May 10th, 2019 at 11:49 am
I think there are a number of other options. Id actually like.to see Ronald Jones and Perriman both get a crack at the return game.A couple of the rookies as well.
May 10th, 2019 at 3:06 pm
Joe but wait, when Rojo struggled to catch passes Dirk Koetter shoved him to the end of the bench to rot. You mean a running back can improve his pass receiving skills????? No wayyyyyyyy. Memo to Dirk Koetter please stop crushing the confidence of young players and give them a damn chance to succeed. If they fail coach them up dont shove them to the bench.
May 10th, 2019 at 4:01 pm
D’Ernest Johnson could be signed for league minimum. He is a really good all around back who is a good pass catcher and kick returner. He is right here in Florida waiting for a phone call.
May 10th, 2019 at 5:57 pm
From Falconeers under Dirk to Cardineers under Bruce…I seeing a pattern
May 10th, 2019 at 7:30 pm
He’s a body that knows the offense. He will be a leader by example and in the film/study sessions and he will be an insurance policy. If nobody gets hurt in training camp, he gets cut. If someone gets hurt during the season, he’s in shape, knows the system, familiar with the team, and he comes back.
May 10th, 2019 at 8:16 pm
There’s no spot on the 53 reserved for this kid. He might make it but he’s a face in the crowd for now
May 11th, 2019 at 2:34 am
Joe(s), the intern is writing cleaner, more taut articles than either of you. How’s his radio voice? If he can nail the podcast too you might as well just turn over the keys to him.