Mike Williams In A Legal Hassle
February 8th, 2014
Let it be recorded that the second Bucs player to (allegedly) run afoul of the law after the jettisoning of the New Schiano Order is Mike Williams.
It seems the Bucs wide receiver finds himself in a legal hassle, notes Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times, due to a yet-to-be determined incident that left him charged with criminal mischief and trespassing. Williams, per Auman, has an arraignment date in Hillsborough County later this month.
The charges are of the misdemeanor variety.
These charges are believed to be the first against Williams since his rookie year in 2010, when he was arrested and charged with driving under the influence; prosecutors dropped that charge two months later. Williams was drafted with some off-field concerns, however, having been dismissed from Syracuse in 2008 amid academic concerns. He returned to the school and team in 2009, only to quit the team in November of his final season.
Now recently there have been articles from PewterReport.com that suggested the Bucs were worried about Williams’ recent erratic behavior, and even pondered cutting Williams. This was before the regime change at One Buc Palace.
Of course, these misdemeanor charges in Joe’s eyes could be as innocent as dropping a bottle of beer in a bar after being ordered to get out of Dodge after last call.
Obviously, Joe will have further information on this incident as details warrant.
February 8th, 2014 at 3:12 pm
Glad to see he’s spending his offseason productively.
February 8th, 2014 at 3:16 pm
Get him out of there he`s about to f up his life idiot.
February 8th, 2014 at 3:18 pm
ROCK STAR!
February 8th, 2014 at 3:29 pm
# Rock Star’s finer work.
February 8th, 2014 at 3:40 pm
Don’t knock Dom for this one. We have gotten allot for a 4th rounder, and his average annual salery is very low.
February 8th, 2014 at 3:48 pm
Gotta question the guy’s intelligence at this point. He just had to come out defending himself about his off field public perception, there’s a new coach that isn’t going to deal with this kind of nonsense and it’s a good draft and free agent market this offseason. I don’t know if this guy is terribly bright
February 8th, 2014 at 3:54 pm
Cool thing about mike is that he is so talented as a rapper and business man that he will make millions more doing that then playing footie. He hAs such a loyal group of friends who will be there when the pArty stops- haha hey mike pull ur head out of your u know what and realize that this is your one shot mike
February 8th, 2014 at 4:00 pm
Ahem. This happened when Schiano was still coach.
For all we know, Williams took a p!ss in a woman’s bathroom.
February 8th, 2014 at 4:04 pm
My, my…look at all the judgement without any facts whatsoever…
February 8th, 2014 at 4:08 pm
I think most of the comments are a little unfair to Mike. Joe has it right, at least wait and see what it’s all about. The guy has been a decent #2 for the Bucs. Hopefully all the talk about not following a rehab schedule is just talk. If the guy wants a hobby outside of football what’s the big deal? Personally I’d play golf or something but to each his own.
February 8th, 2014 at 4:18 pm
I hope this is being blown out of proportion. Williams is a great player and it would suck if we had to be concerned with replacing him. We need to gain depth and not lose starters.
February 8th, 2014 at 4:19 pm
Trade him for a third round pick!
February 8th, 2014 at 4:38 pm
All this crap surrounding Mike is troubling, but I have faith that he will straighten himself out and have a good next season. With that being said, I still think we should draft Sammy Watkins to add another weapon and at the same time challenge and motive Mike. Sammy will also add a little bit of security.
February 8th, 2014 at 5:03 pm
@Joe – fair enough. Didn’t realize where it fell in the timeline.
February 8th, 2014 at 5:32 pm
Besides, we need to desensitize ourselves to this stuff a little bit if we’re going to be bringing Manziel in here.
*Sorry, had to poke the bear a little
February 8th, 2014 at 5:41 pm
Andrew 1,
Everybody is human and will make a mistake from time to time. Sammy Watkins suspended for drug arrest while at Clemson. I still want him to be a Buc!
February 8th, 2014 at 6:03 pm
Let’s all just cool our jets. There’s no need to rush to judgement here at all. We’ll find out what happened soon enough. And it’s happening early enough in the off season that should the worst happen we can easily deal with it. At a later time.
February 8th, 2014 at 6:10 pm
So we let go of Todd Toriscelli? Wow now that was a shock
February 8th, 2014 at 6:25 pm
Definitely need to give him the benefit of the doubt, but that is difficult if you follow him on Twitter. If this is a very minor offense, it really may be time to consider putting him on the trade block (he won’t be worth anything if it’s not a minor offense). If we get lucky and someone offers us a 2nd (highly unlikely), I’d take it in a heartbeat. He’s a nice receiver, but he isn’t outstanding by any means. Unless something changes, he appears to be headed down a dark path, and it may be better to just move on. I am in no way in favor of cutting him for a misdemeanor, but if we can get decent compensation for him and we can free up some more cap money, I would do it.
February 8th, 2014 at 6:26 pm
I’ve been pulling for Mike since he entered the draft. I was so excited when we picked him up in the fourth, but his actions as of late stink of the old Raheem days. He’s on very thin ice and we really can’t afford to just let him go, and I’m not sure a demotion would turn his attitude around anyway.
sad that guys like this abuse second, third and fourth chances. But if he’s not a dedicated Buccaneer or if he’s still sour on how his buddy Free was treated, then maybe we should for some sort of trade.
February 8th, 2014 at 6:31 pm
He’s ghetto garbage. Go read his Twitter for proof.
February 8th, 2014 at 6:42 pm
Great extension.
I think hes smoking that synthetic weed. That ish is horrible!
Stick to the sticky green cuz!
FYI- Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington all grew CANNABIS/HEMP
In fact, the original DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE WAS WRITTEN ON HEMP PAPER!!
Lets go Florida! Time to LEGALIZE IT!
Another fact: at one time in American history, it was illegal NOT to grow hemp; and you could even pay your taxes in HEMP aka Cannabis.
VOTE YES FLORIDA!
February 8th, 2014 at 6:43 pm
I dont see his arrest on the Hills county website – – – how could he have gotten it removed??
February 8th, 2014 at 6:55 pm
I’m starting to think that fielding a team completely with talented …ahem …”Buccaneer Men” is just a pipe dream in todays NFL. There just seems to be way to many bad boys peppered in the pool of players today to think a team can be completely devoid of these rotten apples. There are way to many blue chippers coming out of the college ranks with red flags. It seems it is even more apparent in todays NFL that the league completely overlooks a players consistent legal problems based on a players elite ability. Because of the NFL’s selfish greed, they have been unwilling to set examples, that this behavior will not be tolerated.
Through the years lately it has increasingly gotten worse. Where there used to be a low percentage of unlawful players league wide that percentage has grown exponentially, especially with the amount of money these guys can make today. The NFL has always had there share of bad boys but never at the extent of todays NFL. This has become a tolerated culture that sends the wrong message to future young up and coming players. As long as you have talent your behavior will be tolerated.
February 8th, 2014 at 6:59 pm
Joe…PR says it happened in Mid December, about two days before the Saints game. Who knows when the Bucs were aware of the arrest report…maybe the day before or day after the last game? Since Schiano was gone by late December, I don’t see how either coach, Schiano or Smith had any responsibility for discipline in that situation. It is all on Williams for being a knucklehead regarding the behavior.
February 8th, 2014 at 7:08 pm
LUVMYBUCS…I hope I can sleep tonight.
February 8th, 2014 at 7:11 pm
And u call this news? Can we plez let dis man have a life during the “OFF SEASON!”
February 8th, 2014 at 7:12 pm
Why in the HELL did we give this guy a big fat contract??? He is not that good. He could be but he doesn’t put enough effort into his game. If we do keep him, I’d rather him get put in the slot and get another big body for the outside. I would personally like to see some playmakers here.
February 8th, 2014 at 7:20 pm
This was done on purpose people. This was done so he could get some “Street Cred” for his budding Rap career.
February 8th, 2014 at 7:26 pm
He’s on the FREEway to life
February 8th, 2014 at 7:29 pm
Hey Joe, something random but I think this would possibly be a good idea. Allow all of our comments on here to be liked or disliked ?
February 8th, 2014 at 7:29 pm
Mike Williams is a receiver that has very good hands, great body control to adjust to under or over throws, above average leaping ability.
That’s the good part of his game. His hands and leaping ability make him a threat in the end zone.
The part of his game that I don’t think he’s going to improve on his ability to run precise routes, to separate from press coverage, to be able to run away from dbs and most importantly to get open quick.
When I watch the Bucs on TV Williams appears to be a lazy route runner. He relies too much on his strength and leaping ability which he thinks makes any throw to him catchable. I see a league now where dbs are getting more and more physical so for a Mike Williams type of receiver he has to be more precise in his routes and run the patterns much harder.
He plays like he thinks he is a top tier guy that can beat people with his athletic abilities but he isn’t as quick as a Dez Bryant or AJ Green, guys with similar body types but more polished, more aggressive receivers.
February 8th, 2014 at 7:38 pm
Two words…ROCK STAR
February 8th, 2014 at 8:32 pm
Make him a TE and throw late over the middle to him…let him get pasted a few times and get the snot knocked out of him, then maybe he will straighten up.
February 8th, 2014 at 8:54 pm
@Snook-
You have a point, 5 years ago I would be defensive about a statement as such (ghetto garbage) but as I mature and age – the foolishness that these kids do and waste of God given opportunity out of their pre-existing situations is exactly that; ghetto in and ghetto out.
Don’t get me wrong, I grew up the same and was blessed to have comfort and a great career but the crap I see on his twitter and his behavior is just exemplary of what his internals are – trash, nothing classy or substantial. These athletes all have to face reality after the money and glory is gone!
February 8th, 2014 at 9:06 pm
Let’s hope mw19 is good to go. He’s been way better than ckayhands. Hope he’s still a buc. If not? Let’s try to get what we can in the draft for him.
February 8th, 2014 at 9:09 pm
teacherman… I agree 100 percent. 75+ years of lies must be finally undone. This is about justice and personal freedom. Powerful entrenched money forces oppose the majority’s will, the BS lies are wearing thin.
February 8th, 2014 at 9:32 pm
Trade him to Green Bay. I’m sure that there is a huge ghetto punk rap audience up there
February 8th, 2014 at 9:49 pm
we should trade and I could not believe he was giving a big contract he takes way to many plays off
February 8th, 2014 at 10:28 pm
I agree with all said and most beneficial for the organization is to trade him for a 3rd rounder or so…
February 8th, 2014 at 10:31 pm
Hey Joe on what CanadianBucsFan said. If I had a vote on such a thing. I’d vote no.
February 8th, 2014 at 10:43 pm
checked out his twitter didn’t really see anything wrong with it. Besides, whatever he does on his down time is fine, so long as its legal and he keeps playing good.
February 8th, 2014 at 10:48 pm
“he keeps playing good.”
Exactly Andrew but even before the hammy he seemed to NOT be playing good. Possibly distracted?
February 8th, 2014 at 10:52 pm
@ Buc1987
Maybe. Could be his lifestyle, or it could be a personnel issue. I still dont think this coaching staff is going to get rid of him just yet but Im sure they will be watching for a drop off in play. We’ll see.
February 8th, 2014 at 10:58 pm
@Andrew 1,
Yes and no. First of all, you CAN do whatever you want if you are a great player. Mike Williams is by no stretch of the imagination a great player. The Bucs have millions of dollars invested in him, so what he does on his off time DOES matter. Who he hangs out with DOES matter. Him getting arrested for anything DOES matter. He represents the team. He has a huge banner outside the stadium! I do not expect these guys to be perfect. I expect them to party. I expect them to sleep with countless women. I expect them to make mistakes. However, I also expect them to keep that stuff private, versus exposing it to the whole world. Don’t go on Twitter putting a picture of some woman you just boned at your doorstep. Don’t brag about how you just spent $30,000 in three hours. Have some maturity, and some common freaking sense. It’s really not too much to ask. When he gets dropped like a bad habit because he wants to act stupid after getting his big contract, he’s going to learn the harsh reality of being an average football player in the NFL.
February 8th, 2014 at 10:58 pm
But like I said, you bring in someone to really challenge him for his starting job like a Sammy Watkins, I think he will be more focused. If hes got any fight in him he’ll play hard, and if not then it will be an easy decision. You can become relaxed when all you got to fight off is Underwood lol. Plus that will give us another weapon which is always a good thing.
February 8th, 2014 at 11:09 pm
@ Hawaiian
I dont do twitter, so I dont know some of that stuff you mentioned. But to be honest, it still doesn’t bother me. Like I said, keep it legal and there should be no problems. Braging about spending 30k, posting sluts, and etc. doesn’t bother me one bit and since he is still on the team I dont think it bothers the bucs all that much either, which is the important part. There are literally dozens of “average players” around the league that do the same thing and get away this it. If he comes back strong and keeps his number 2 spot it wont matte one damn bit.
February 8th, 2014 at 11:21 pm
let me put it this way, if he leaves the team it wont be because of all that stuff, it will be because of his play on the field. Its that simple.
February 8th, 2014 at 11:26 pm
I like Mike. He has been great since he got here and we have no idea what this us. Plus I bet money that Lovie does NOT. Want him to go.
February 8th, 2014 at 11:36 pm
@Andrew 1,
You are quite mistaken if you think it doesn’t bother the team. Hell, that’s been documented over and over about how the team didn’t like it. They are going to tolerate it as long as they have to, but you are beyond crazy if you think they like it. They don’t want their players to display that kind of image to the public. And you say there are dozens of average players that do that around the league, but I don’t know how you would know that. I follow a pretty large amount of players, and he is BY FAR the worst. It’s seriously not even close. Remember, I’m not saying he does things others don’t, but most are smart enough to not promote it as he does. It all started once he got his contract, which started his rap group. For myself personally, I could care less what he does, and my kids aren’t allowed on social media, so they have no idea. But when they are, it is going to matter to me. And if he puts that crap product he put on the field last year this coming year, it is going to matter to me.
Of course the bottom line is production on the field. However, you are naive to think the team isn’t monitoring this. Every single team in the NFL has guys that monitor this. It’s smart business. If and when his production slips a little, he is going to have a much shorter leash than another player with a clean image and comparable skills, especially when you consider that Williams has a higher salary. He doesn’t have the wiggle room that he would have if he just kept his business private and showed up to work. There’s no way you can argue any of that.
February 8th, 2014 at 11:42 pm
” like Mike. He has been great since he got here and we have no idea what this us. Plus I bet money that Lovie does NOT. Want him to go.”
——-
Actually, I do too. I love it when guys are late round picks and turn into productive players. I’m always a huge fan of the underdog. But your definition of great is far different from mine. 4 years and zero 1000 yard seasons in this day and age is about as far from great as possible. He has games where he does absolutely nothing, especially when he gets a physical corner. He’s a nice little receiver, but he has obvious holes in his game.
Of course Lovie doesn’t want him to go. Nobody does. Again, he’s not great, but he’s no scrub. He’s a starting WR in the NFL, and those aren’t easy to come by. But there’s only so much leeway you’re going to get when you act like and idiot and don’t produce up to your level of idiocy. He’s starting to get dangerously close to that level. In his defense, he has seemed to tone it down quite a bit since the PR article, so that is encouraging. Hopefully Lovie will sit him down and set him straight, because it is very clear he needs a wakeup call.
February 8th, 2014 at 11:48 pm
“Ahem. This happened when Schiano was still coach.
For all we know, Williams took a p!ss in a woman’s bathroom.”
Exactly what I was thinking Joe.
February 9th, 2014 at 12:03 am
@ Hawaiian
“You are quite mistaken if you think it doesn’t bother the team. Hell, that’s been documented over and over about how the team didn’t like it.”
Yes by crazy Schiano. New coach there buddy.
I still putting words in my mouth I see.
“but you are beyond crazy if you think they like it.”
At no point did I say the team “likes it.” Im sure every team hates it when players step out of line, but as you said, they TOLERATE it.
“And if he puts that crap product he put on the field last year this coming year, it is going to matter to me.”
Guess Im going to have to repeat myself. “If he comes back strong and keeps his number 2 spot it wont matte one damn bit.”
Try reading it again. If he leaves the team it wont be because of all that stuff, it will be because of his play on the field. ITS REALLY THAT SIMPLE! If he fends off his number two spot and posts better number than what he has been getting, he will remain with the bucs, despite all that other stuff. Now THAT is something you cant argue with.
February 9th, 2014 at 12:13 am
Frankly, criminal mischief and trespassing is so simple it could be anything. Even if he’s guilty it probably isn’t a big deal.
I could be treated badly in a store and raise my voice in complaint and the cops could arrest me for criminal mischief and trespassing and then release me an hour later.
B
February 9th, 2014 at 12:14 am
And anyone saying he is no good is an idiot fair weather fan.
February 9th, 2014 at 12:17 am
Wow…as I read these comments I see a lot of lies and hypocrisy too. I’m bailing because this is obviously not a discussion for intelligent people.
February 9th, 2014 at 12:54 am
@Andrew 1,
Think you’ve got your panties in a bigger wad than necessary. I don’t care what team and what coach, it is going to bother them if a players is flaunting his business on social media. If they didn’t care, every team wouldn’t have people whose job is to follow the players. Again, every single team has people that do that.
I wasn’t really disagreeing with you that if he is a good player, he’ll be fine. As I said, if his play has to be higher than his level of idiocy. But he absolutely gives himself less wiggle room by acting a fool. If he doesn’t play better, they are going to start looking to replace him, if they haven’t already. If he was a model citizen, the thought of replacing him would never cross their mind. Are we in agreement?
What I was disagreeing with you (and I still am) is your belief that all this stuff off the field doesn’t matter to the team. It does, I promise you. Maybe not enough to get rid of him, but it does factor into their long term decisions. So it really isn’t “just that simple”. Due to his actions, he has introduced another factor into the equation. Because the NFL doesn’t have guaranteed contracts, and it really is the ultimate team game, their job security almost always goes beyond their play on the field.
February 9th, 2014 at 12:56 am
Ah Wide receivers and corner backs……what do these players have in common? Seriously, what do they have in common?
Big money, big contracts, big egos, fake dreads…….blah blah blah.
Curiously though, and purely by comparison, what about the other end of the spectrum.
Elite quarterbacks for example. Big money contracts, big egos for sure…….. but somehow, most, if not all seem to be able to keep all that extra nonsense in check.
Why is that?
Really, I’d like to know, if all of us are equal, as men………why the drastic differences in behavoir?
February 9th, 2014 at 1:01 am
“And anyone saying he is no good is an idiot fair weather fan.”
———–
Who exactly is saying he’s no good? I’ve read all the comments and yet to see that. There’s a huge difference between not being “great” and being no good. It’s just like people thinking Gonzalez took a shot at Matty Ice because he said he wasn’t yet elite, even though he said he was excellent. For myself personally, I don’t throw around the word great. I’m hesitant to even call Vincent Jackson great, and he’s one of my favorites and a helluva lot better than Williams. I think Williams is a good, above average #2. But he’s not great, no matter how you slice it. And I sure as hell ‘aint no fairweather fan. The idiot part can be argued both ways.
February 9th, 2014 at 1:13 am
@ Hawaiian
I dont have my panties in a bunch, but Im not exactly going to be pleasant when you passive aggressively call me crazy. You want a nicer response, then show a little bit more respect to your fellow bucs fans. As to your second paragraph, he doesn’t need the wiggle room if he plays good next season, which I think he will. And no I dont agree that “if he was a model citizen the thought of replacing him would never cross their minds” because he can be a saint but if he sucks it wont matter how well behaved he is. With your last paragraph, when you said “Maybe not enough to get rid of him” That was my whole point, but that also applies long term IF he keeps his play at a high lever or we find someone more talent. That has nothing to do with twitter, so it looks like we are going to have to agree to disagree on that. Barring any LEGAL trouble, he will remain with the bucs for at or close to the remainder of his contract If he plays good, despite all that twitter crap. Dont know how many time I have to say it, just accept it.
February 9th, 2014 at 1:14 am
He’s a good player when he is on – but he is also inconsistent and have limitations
February 9th, 2014 at 1:31 am
@Andrew 1
We are anonymously talking to each other. I don’t give a damn if you respect me, nor should you care if I respect you. I’ve been called a lot worse than crazy on this site, and not even in a passive aggressive way. And to be honest, I don’t want a nicer response. I’m not here to agree with people, and I doubt you are either. It’s fun to debate and disagree. I’ve had some great battles with a lot of people, but that’s what makes it fun. Nothing personal at all.
Really honestly, we aren’t even disagreeing. We are pretty much saying the same thing, minus the fact that you don’t think the team cares about what the player’s do on social networking. I know for a first hand fact that is not true. I’m not disagreeing with you that if he plays great he will be fine.
February 9th, 2014 at 1:32 am
I also tried to find his mug shot for this latest incident, but found nothing. All I found was his mug shot for his rookie season. Maybe the bucs realist was right, maybe he just put this out there for “street cred.” If that’s the case, then there really is no reason to judge like BuccaneerBonzai said.
February 9th, 2014 at 1:45 am
@ Hawaiian
I like to debate too, but there are ways to debate without debasing someone, and those are the debates that I enjoy the most. Otherwise it turns into name calling and that is not very productive debate. At the end of the day, we are all bucs fans and I appreciate EVERY single person on here for that reason, and that includes you. We will just have to agree to disagree on the social media part.
February 9th, 2014 at 1:46 am
@Bonzai…the Bucs may lead the NFL in fair weather fans, but to suggest there is one currently on JBF over the last month or so is silly.
When and if the Bucs start winning again. I expect this site to be flooded with newbies. In that crowd there will probably be several fair weather fans.
February 9th, 2014 at 1:49 am
The one thing everyone can agree with is, it’s hard being a die hard Bucs fan.
Dispute that!
February 9th, 2014 at 1:52 am
Rewording. It’s not hard being one, but it sure is hell ain’t easy. Okay I’m done talking to myself now. Carry on. lol
February 9th, 2014 at 1:55 am
@ Buc1987
lol cant, But a die hard bucs fan nonetheless. I still believe we will, as I like to put it, “get there.” Might just be silly hope, but I’m willing to live with that.
February 9th, 2014 at 2:15 am
Oh boy! Fight over in aisle 3. I’m going to stick around to see who gets ko’ed!
February 9th, 2014 at 8:09 am
Smells like a no-story to me. Charges from 2010? Its 2014 everybody – 2 years ago he almost had 1000 receiving yards with Vjax, guy is a buc for life
February 9th, 2014 at 9:09 am
#keepMIKE!
Go bucs!
February 9th, 2014 at 11:48 am
Ironic. First comes th statement, 2nd time actually as in 2011 the old staff bashed Williams work ethic, then 2013 the same thing happens again. Then he can’t keep his nose clean?
Look it could be something small but when you’re making this much money, you and I both, as I work a professional career in sales, I would be fired for my actions like these multi millionaire fools.
February 9th, 2014 at 12:19 pm
I still say he is trying to get ” Street Cred” for his rap career, the whole thing smells staged.
February 9th, 2014 at 1:54 pm
“Trade him to Green Bay. I’m sure that there is a huge ghetto punk rap audience up there.”
Yeah…as a warm up act for the Polka band. You Betcha…
February 9th, 2014 at 2:06 pm
The day Mike Williams got that fat contract was the day he gave up on football.
He’ll never be as good as he was before.
Bank on it.
February 9th, 2014 at 4:22 pm
Sorry, this isn’t a message board. –Joe
February 9th, 2014 at 8:01 pm
Would love to dump him to the rams in a deal to move up,he would free up alot of cap
February 9th, 2014 at 8:04 pm
If I had to catch passes from Glennon behind an O line that refuses to block, I’d be drinking and smoking dro too. Not to mention he and Josh the kweer may have had a thing going.
February 10th, 2014 at 12:40 pm
Looks like some of the usual suspects ready to throw the baby out with the bathwater!
“due to a yet-to-be determined incident that left him charged with criminal mischief and trespassing.”
What crime has he committed? Man, I hope none of you(you know who you are!) run afoul of the law and have to have these bloggers on your jury. GUILTY!!!!
“Guilty of what, your honor?”
“Guilty of being young, rich, and most of all, for using Twitter!”
“The sentence?”
“Trade him or cut him.”
Brilliant!
I will wait to pass judgement on Mike. More likely, judgement will come on the field with his play.
Until then, Go Bucs! Light ’em up #19!
February 10th, 2014 at 1:48 pm
Ed said:
‘When I watch the Bucs on TV Williams appears to be a lazy route runner. He relies too much on his strength and leaping ability which he thinks makes any throw to him catchable. I see a league now where dbs are getting more and more physical so for a Mike Williams type of receiver he has to be more precise in his routes and run the patterns much harder.’
Agree bro’ but I really like him and I hope he shows up in 2014.