Mike Williams Confesses To “Terrible” Play
October 13th, 2011
A lot of Bucs fans are wondering about the Bucs offense.
They point to quarterback Josh Freeman’s struggles with accuracy thus far this season.
They point to LeGarrette Blount not getting enough carries.
Bucs receiver Mike Williams has a suggestion who fans should point fingers at.
Mike Williams.
Woody Cummings of the Tampa Tribune types a piece where he documents Williams claiming he is the reason the Bucs offense is not humming like last year.
“I’m playing terrible,” Williams said Wednesday as he and the Bucs began preparing for Sunday’s against the NFC South division-leading New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium.
“From my aspect, I’m playing terrible. I should be doing a lot more to help my team win. I should be getting into the end zone. That’s something I did last year. I was getting into the end zone and putting up points for this team. That’s what I should be doing and I’m not doing it right now so I need to get it together. I need to step up.”
Williams ranks third on the Bucs in receptions with 19 for 183 yards and a touchdown. After five games a year ago, he had 23 catches for 283 yards and three touchdowns.
Joe is of the mind that there are a variety of reasons for this. One is that during the asinine lockout, coaches throughout the NFL had nothing to do but break down tape, whether it was of college prospects or NFL players. Surely Williams must have surprised a few defensive coordinators. It’s not a shock at all that opposing coaches spent many an hour this summer scheming ways to take Williams out of plays.
This has led Williams to learn to adjust. He’s likely seeing defenses and coverages he’s never seen before. Just like in baseball, football is a constant cat-and-mouse game of adjustments.
Third, naturally, Freeman is having accuracy issues this season. That doesn’t help any receiver, much less No. 19.
October 13th, 2011 at 8:23 am
Agreed, Benn has been more consistent than Williams so far this season, but I don’t think the entire blame can be put on 19. It’s a variety of issues with this offense and I haven’t once blamed 19 for being inconsistent.
October 13th, 2011 at 8:50 am
I understand the sentiment and if this public admission of his less than stellar play moves him to raise the level of his game – okay. But I am not personally moved by confessionals, acts of penitence, vows of celibacy….whatever. I would rather see improvement shown on the field and let that speak for itself.
October 13th, 2011 at 9:13 am
he has way 2 many drops, along with teams having NFL game film and double teams throughout ttha game won’t help either. Hopefully he’ll get it 2gether
October 13th, 2011 at 9:56 am
Mike will be great when he starts winning the individual battles when the ball is in the air at his, and the DB’s fingertips. He loses the majority of the time. He is great at the sideline, or end zone already, and he has some highlights to show that.
The great ones adjust to whatever the QB throws, and are in a winning position even when the ball is not perfect, and lets face it Freeman has made some sorry throws this year.
Keep working Mike W., not all on him though by far.
October 13th, 2011 at 11:17 am
Freeman is a little off, yes, but a lot of that has to do with the WR’s not running crisp routes and creating separation. It’s about effort and a committment to be the best. Freeman has to throw into coverage because they are not getting open. Additionally, we need to take shots down the field. That said, with no running game this week, I hope we run 5 wide and throw the hell out of it.
October 13th, 2011 at 11:38 am
Panthers hit some big plays against the Saints last week. No reason the bucs can’t do the same.
While Williams needs to improve, to me using Benn more in the long passing game might break some things open. That guy can fly.
Gonna need 35 to beat Drew I fear. He has been on fire.
Oh, and enough of the super slow start crap. 60 minutes of good football is necessary.
October 13th, 2011 at 11:51 am
I have tremendous respect for this admission and, frankly, I believe that he is over-stating how bad that he is performing. Yes, he has dropped some catchable balls but he has not played terrible. This humility shows the type of man, player and person that Williams really is, one who doesn’t want to be coddled and babied.
Yes, that segways to my other point. I believe that this is GMC’s fatal flaw and the org has some responsibility for it – they baby him. When he plays poorly (like he has in all but a few games) they make excuses – they try to take sacks from other players and give them to him. They try to redefine statistics and productivity and how defensive tackles are judged.
That creates an entitlement mindset and sets the bar so low that the player loses the ability to objectively evaluate oneself. This must stop immediately, and Rah is culprit #1. On his radio show he kept saying “I am not making excuses but we did have a short week and long trip.” That is making an excuse, if you put the excuse in front of or behind “I am not making excuses” than you are making an excuse.
I will say this: I got tired of the Gruden arrogance and coach spin. But I am also tired of the Rah coddling, excuses and the false-impression that he constantly tries to give the public. Quincy Black sucks – stop acting like he doesnt. Talib has played poorly – admit it. Biggers is not a starter or nickle he is a decent backup. GMC is very inconsistent especially in the passing game, same for Hayes. etc
October 13th, 2011 at 12:13 pm
Only ThomAss could take an article about Mike Will and figure out a way to bash McCoy and Rah….kudos to you sir for keeping the fire of your blind and ignorant hate burning…way to go