Langston Walker Cut:

[jdlea]

Originally Posted by Slingin Sammy 33

Just a couple of things to think about Williams.....
-Many people never thought he'd make it down to the weight he did.
-The biggest adjustment to the NFL from college is speed and depth of talent, it's going to take a few weeks of reps as the scout team against our 1st D to get MW back up to "speed".
- MW & Dock are buddies since college. We bring in MW, he works his ass off and does everything asked of him, and then we cut him without him getting a shot to get completely back in game shape? I'd say that would affect Dock's mind-set.
- Buges isn't an idiot.
- What if, just what if, he returns to close to the player he was at TX. We'll have gotten one of the major steals of the off-season, possibly any off-season. If he doesn't make it back, what have we lost....nothing. Bridges isn't a significant upgrade anyway, if he was he'd still be here.

To your points:
I already said I commend him for cutting the weight and I'm pulling for him, but if there's an upgrade available it should be made.

Speed? The guy must never have adjusted because he's never been effective, even when he was in his prime.

Dockery's feelings shouldn't have anything to do with keeping Williams on the team.

I agree with you about Bugel, I think he can coach him up, but we didn't get much out of Heyer last year who is (presently) a far better football player than Mike Williams. If Bugel could turn everyone into great lineman, we wouldn't have gone downhill last year. There has to be more than just a body there, there needs to be a lot of talent to play RT at this level.

Okay, that's a fair point. How likely do you think that is? And the counterpoint is obviously, "what if he doesn't?" What if he's a turnstyle like he was in Buffalo and Jacksonville?

He was a first round pick who was cut after 4 season and 48 starts, he had one hell of a shot to make it in the NFL when it was far more likely that he would. He even signed on with Jacksonville after being cut and couldn't stay in the league then, there's nothing that suggest Mike Williams will be a "find." There is evidence he could be garbage. See: Mike Williams' career.

[Slingin Sammy 33]

Originally Posted by jdlea

He was a first round pick who was cut after 4 season and 48 starts, he had one hell of a shot to make it in the NFL when it was far more likely that he would. He even signed on with Jacksonville after being cut and couldn't stay in the league then, there's nothing that suggest Mike Williams will be a "find." There is evidence he could be garbage. See: Mike Williams' career

I agree with you if we can find a significant upgrade we should make the move, but Walker doesn't appear to be it. I would not want to outright release MW if possible(though I'm not sure how we could do it).

- MW was always seen as more of mauling run blocker, not a great pass-pro guy. Normally the LDE isn't going to have tremendous speed off the edge, although there are exceptions.

- I agree Dock's feelings shouldn't really be taken into much consideration, but in reality it could have an effect and doesn't send a good message. Although the Patriots send some crappy messages to veteran players and they seem to be fine.

- Maybe 40% at this point, but Buges should be able to make the determination by week 4 if MW is picking it up or not. If so, great, win. If not we don't take a cap hit and dump the guy for the best available player out there or bring back Bridges or one of the other released players.

- I'm being optimistic, and hoping that this guy realizes what he was throwing away (his life, football) by his laziness. Hopefully his newfound work ethic will pay off for him and the Skins. You're right the evidence points to the opposite, but I'm relying on Buges' 30+ years of experience to be able to determine this is the right move.[/quote]

[backrow]

I've watched the 2nd half of the Jax game on my DVR just in order to watch MW. He's nothing special except this years Burgandy & Gold biggest loser. And I mean that in the nicest way!

[CRedskinsRule]

Originally Posted by backrow

I've watched the 2nd half of the Jax game on my DVR just in order to watch MW. He's nothing special except this years Burgandy & Gold biggest loser. And I mean that in the nicest way!

I think he pushed the DE's back on a straight head to head, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him in on short ydge or goal line pushes this year.

[jdlea]

Originally Posted by Slingin Sammy 33

I agree with you if we can find a significant upgrade we should make the move, but Walker doesn't appear to be it. I would not want to outright release MW if possible(though I'm not sure how we could do it).

- MW was always seen as more of mauling run blocker, not a great pass-pro guy. Normally the LDE isn't going to have tremendous speed off the edge, although there are exceptions.

- I agree Dock's feelings shouldn't really be taken into much consideration, but in reality it could have an effect and doesn't send a good message. Although the Patriots send some crappy messages to veteran players and they seem to be fine.

- Maybe 40% at this point, but Buges should be able to make the determination by week 4 if MW is picking it up or not. If so, great, win. If not we don't take a cap hit and dump the guy for the best available player out there or bring back Bridges or one of the other released players.

- I'm being optimistic, and hoping that this guy realizes what he was throwing away (his life, football) by his laziness. Hopefully his newfound work ethic will pay off for him and the Skins. You're right the evidence points to the opposite, but I'm relying on Buges' 30+ years of experience to be able to determine this is the right move.

And that's fine, you and I just happen to disagree on these points. I wish I were as optimistic as you are. However, I'm just not sold on him being great. It doesn't mean I'm not rooting for him. If he hits the field, I hope he's the best tackle I've ever seen, I just don't believe it would happen and I think that Walker would be an upgrade.

I would like to add, Walker would have to come at the right price, knowing there's no competition, he's the backup. Like Matty said before, we don't know that he'd take that, but those would be the conditions under which I'd pursue him.