Williams’ High School Coach Speaks Out
April 26th, 2010
It seems whenever a writer discusses Bucs rookie wide receiver the words “talented” and “character” are both in the lead sentence.
It seems someone who has known Williams for some time is tired of it. Williams’ high school coach Tony Truilizio is sick of reading about how his former player is some sort of headcase. So Truilizio decided to go on the offensive in defense of his former player, and Joe Henderson of the Tampa Tribune was receiving the message.
“I’ll be dead honest – he doesn’t have a character issue at all,” Truilizio said. “He is probably one of the nicest people you’ll ever meet in your life. He’s a compassionate young man, devoted to his family. He is not a discipline problem. The kid doesn’t even swear or use profanity.
“He is not a punk kid, not an urban city gangster. His mother brought him up the right way and he has respect for authority. Mike is a steal.”
Joe is trying to remain objective if not numb to all of this noise about Williams’ personality. Still, Joe can’t help but admit he’s anxious if not excited to see how Williams performs on the field with Bucs quarterback Josh Freeman, Lord knows Freeman needs help.
The fact Bucs general manager Mark Dominik told Peter King Williams could start in Week 1 is enough to distract Joe from fantasizing about Rachel Watson if for a brief moment.
April 26th, 2010 at 7:53 am
What coach is saying may be entirely true. The kid had some academic issues, which if any one is being totally honest, we all have had one time or another. If the kid thought he couldn’t get his grades up, lost confidence and gave up, I understand that. Lets at least give him a chance and lay off the negative bullshit until he has a chance to prove himeself here. The past is just that.
April 26th, 2010 at 7:54 am
I’m looking forward to seeing this kid play. I’m sure he has something to prove now and will be highly motivated.
April 26th, 2010 at 8:17 am
“He’s a compassionate young man, devoted to his family. He is not a discipline problem. The kid doesn’t even swear or use profanity.
He is not a punk kid, not an urban city gangster.”
Well, this alone means he is a better person than Antonio Bryant…
April 26th, 2010 at 8:17 am
Williams could be great, good, average, or a bust. Time will tell. Looks like the talent is there for greatness, but the quiting and the poor attitude reported from the combine could mean bust.
Counting on rookies to step right in and play at a number one or two receiver level is a dubious and risky strategy , and places Mr. Freeman’s development in jeopardy. It also raises concerns about Mr. Dom’s competence IMO.
April 26th, 2010 at 8:22 am
Eric — read about the “quitting” and you will not be as concerned. Not what it seems
April 26th, 2010 at 8:31 am
I’d guess his high school coach would know him unless he “primo donnaed” in college. I wonder how much contact he maintained with him in college? I also wonder how tired Joe must be, after the draft if he mentions Rachel’s name without a link to a fine photo!
April 26th, 2010 at 8:45 am
joe, feel free to dream about what you want but please dont stop linking rachel watsons name with her photos
April 26th, 2010 at 9:29 am
“…enough to distract Joe from fantasizing about Rachel Watson if for a brief moment.” – Liar
April 26th, 2010 at 9:34 am
@Eric: Who do you think must be the starters if not for Benn and Williams? Clayton? Stovall? Well Stovall may be, but Stovall has not shown anything exceptional to start him over these guys. Thanks to Gruden and Stovall’s injuries, Stovall was pretty much a rookie until last year. May be you wanted to see a good FA signing or trade like Marshall, I understand, but Winslow as a veteran among these guys and Stroughter in the slot is more than enough experience on WR corps.
April 26th, 2010 at 10:05 am
@Jonny
Brandon Marshall and Santonio Holmes, giving the bucs the number one receiver tandem in the NFC South.
Instead we have a guy who didn’t finish college, and another who caught two touchdowns and less than 500 receiving yards in his final season at Ill.
I take a comprehensive approach to the evaluation of the GM.
April 26th, 2010 at 2:09 pm
I wasn’t sure about what they did at first, but as time passes, I like it.
They identified their biggest need on defense, DT, and hammered it with 2 of the 3 top prospects on their board.
They did the exact same thing on offense.
They also got a big physical CB who will fit the Tampa 2 and can even play safety if necessary.
Other than a punter, everyone after that is 7th round garbage, although many seem to think Dekota Watson is 4th round talent and shoul easily make the team. If so, great.
They need to trade for Osi U. DE. Giove the NYG Ward back and the 5th they just got for him.
April 26th, 2010 at 2:12 pm
The obsession of Rachel Watson, although understandable, is getting a little ridiculous. I can’t read an article on here anymore without you talking about getting a chubby. Enough!
Just gratuitoulousy post her picture now and then…
April 26th, 2010 at 2:18 pm
ERIC and those who think they should have got Brandon Marshall:
I was all for a Brandon Marshall trade. then I read about him more and more. No thanks. The last thing I ened to hear was how the captain of the Broncos told the other players that he was traded and there were actual CHEERS among them!! Any talk about giving him a shot after hearing that should be out the window by any sane individual.
Santonio Holmes appears to be just as bad. No one wants the guy. Pittsburgh players wanted him out of there.
So teh Bucs picked up a guy with no risk and high reward in Reggie Brown and 2 rookies to go along with Stroughter in the slot.
MIKE WILLIAMS:
There are numerous articles out there talking about how SU WR Williams is a great young man who doesn’t even swear. HIs so called issue was not what it seemed and he got a bad rap for it. Could be the steal of the draft.
A. BENN:
Many think he is the number 2 in the draft behind Dez Bryant. I heard he has bad hands at times and did not want him because of that, but who knows, we’ll see.
April 26th, 2010 at 2:23 pm
Dave:
Let’s see, Joe has had maybe 150 posts this month and out of that number, a grand total of 12 included a reference to the lovely Rachel Watson. In fact, Joe went 11 days at one point this month without mentioned her.
Joe never dreamed anyone would have an issue with Rachel. 🙁
April 26th, 2010 at 2:27 pm
@Dave
If either of those rookies ever catches 100 passes in an NFL season, ill buy you ten cases of Caybrews.
The person doing the cheering after the trade was the Dolphins QB.
April 26th, 2010 at 5:51 pm
Eric — you are definitely a “win now” guy