Mike Williams Roster Chances

[Bulldog]

It was surprising to me to read in the Redskins Insider that a source in the organization thought Mike would not only make the final roster but be a starter at some point during the season.

Frankly I don't see it. Mike's drive to lose weight has been amazing but the toll on his body is clear also in his lack of field time due to consecutive injuries.

I don't think you can count on Mike to hold up in 2009 and anticipating that he would be a major contributor at some time soon is a dangerous illusion.

If the club wants to continue with Mike fine. Put him on IR or the PUP list to see how he progresses.

But without much depth behind Heyer and Samuels the smart move would be to look for a veteran tackle released in the final round of cuts like Willie Anderson was last season.

Anderson after his release from the Bengals started a number of games for Baltimore on their road to the AFC title game.
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[Om]

Agreed on bringing in at least one veteran when cut-downs start. I think that's probably been in the cards since the draft and FA period passed with so little attention to the OL. Had high hopes for Bridges, but from what I've seen so far he's depth at best.

Not sure I make the same direct connection between BMW's weight loss and injuries as you---my thought has been they probably have more to do with taking a body that hasn't played NFL football in two years and subjecting it to the rigors of a training camp cold turkey. It's probably all related, however, and doesn't change the bottom line. I agree that expecting him to be available as a seriousl contributor or even starter in 2009 is a mistake. It'd be a great story, but I'd hate to gamble on it.

Love to see him hang on for a year though, and come into next season's camp with a year of getting that big body back up to NFL speed under his (ever shrinking) belt.

 

[Pravda]

Perhaps the inside source indicated that Williams will be a starter because of the age of the OL and the likelihood that at least one of the members of the line will go down with an injury forcing the team's hand to play Williams.

 

[brandies]

I would like to see him kept in some capacity. My guess is, with the new found intensity, after a year of weights and workouts, he could be a decent player, if not a starter a good back up next year.

 

[Blondie]

The word "slim" hardly seems appropriate here.

 

[EatSleepRedskin]

The reports out of camp were that Williams had looked fairly awful, but now he might become a starter?

All power to him if he does. Om, you're right about Bridges. I have heard nothing but disappointing news about him. Considering the guy has played - and started - for the Carolina Panthers, who are known for power running, he seemingly has been a huge disappointment here.

I haven't heard much about Devin Clark, though Anthony Alridge looked like he had some holes to run through with backup offensive lineman in. I haven't check my DVR to see who was in there yet, but it's promising.

 

[Om]

I haven't heard anybody in the organization suggest since the spring sometime he might be a starter this year ... no way that's in the cards at this point. Fortunately, it's because Heyer has stepped up. That's a good thing. BMW can take a year to get back into NFL mode. If he stays on task, I have a feeling he's going to be a real factor next year.

On Devin Clark, from what I've been able to tell, as long as the Redskins offense only runs the ball and never asks him to pass block, we'll be fine. Talking 70's Nebraska stuff here. Because every time I've noticed him on passing plays, he's turning around and chasing DE's as they plow into our QB's.

 

[The Burgundy Ghost]

I'm off the Williams bandwagon.

Rust is one thing......and I don't mind the Skins giving him time to try to get used to his weight.

My problem is that he can't get on the field b/c he can't stay healthy. So you don't know what he can do because we can't see him get game reps.

And who do we have to back up Samuels and Heyer?

If Samuels goes down, Heyer right now would be starting LT.......really. I'd take Heyer over Devin Clark. So who'd be the RT? Rinehart? Bridges?

The depth at tackle is uber-thin.

 

[Om]

I look for the Skins to grab up at least one veteran cut from another team. They let Clark go today, because he was going to get a QB killed if they didn't. Heyer would be a stopgap LT at best, in my eyes. He just isn't quick enough in the feet to deal with the kind of speed rushers that hang out at RDE these days. At RT, I think he'll be serviceable in pass pro, hopefully in the same way Jansen was early in his career.

But I don't think there's any way Zorn is going to head into opening day with Stephon as the only backup option to Samuels. My guess is Vinny's war room board has a few potential veteran LT's highlighted that he knows are on the bubble on their current teams.

 

[EatSleepRedskin]

Wouldn't surprise me in the least. I didn't think they would cut any of the OT guys (figured they needed all the help they can get there), but you were right about Clark.

The tackle depth seems just plain bad.

 

[The Burgundy Ghost]

Levi Jones or Jon Runyan?

Plus whomever is on the waiver wire I guess.

 

[Bulldog]

Runyan appears to be in the same situation as Jansen, a 34 year old player whose injuries have robbed him of his quickness and made him a liability in pass protection.

Levi Jones still wants a multi-year deal with a guranteed bonus. Good luck.
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[Om]

I don't expect team to bring in a Runyan or Jones--guys right at the end of their careers who have been on the street. I think they'll opt for someone who still has a couple years in the tank, but whose team has a younger, cheaper option ready to go and is willing (or really has no choice but) to gamble on letting the vet go. And more importantly as far as the Redskins are concerned, someone who has been through and NFL training camp and is game-ready.

 

[servumtuum]

I don't expect team to bring in a Runyan or Jones--guys right at the end of their careers who have been on the street. I think they'll opt for someone who still has a couple years in the tank, but whose team has a younger, cheaper option ready to go and is willing (or really has no choice but) to gamble on letting the vet go. And more importantly as far as the Redskins are concerned, someone who has been through and NFL training camp and is game-ready.

This, to me, seems to make putting Williams on the PS make sense. At this point, this close to the start of the season, I can see other teams in similar situations taking a similar approach. This would, given his current state of re-development, keep Williams from being attractive enough for another team to gamble on by trying to nab him off the Skins PS, thus allowing the re-development to continue to the point where next season he could very well be in a position to make a positive contribution.

 

[China]

This, to me, seems to make putting Williams on the PS make sense. At this point, this close to the start of the season, I can see other teams in similar situations taking a similar approach. This would, given his current state of re-development, keep Williams from being attractive enough for another team to gamble on by trying to nab him off the Skins PS, thus allowing the re-development to continue to the point where next season he could very well be in a position to make a positive contribution.

I don't think Williams is eligible for the Practice Squad. If they want to stash him, one of those nagging little injuries will need to get more serious.

 

[servumtuum]

I don't think Williams is eligible for the Practice Squad. If they want to stash him, one of those nagging little injuries will need to get more serious.

You're, of course, right, China-my bad-the PUP list was mentioned previously as an option, maybe that would work. I share what I perceive to be Om's perception that keeping BMW around is a good idea to see if his efforts to get back to playing shape can be fortified as a possible option for next season-the guy is a monster, after all.