Skins Sign O-Lineman Mike Williams

[CRedskinsRule]

k, so I debated starting an O-Line thread, or finding the 2009 Free Agent Thread, but ended up going with adding this here.
I am still holding out a small hope that we get Levi Jones in as a backup to Chris Samuels but according to this article it looks like he may be going to Arizona.

Arizona LT reinforcements? Coming off a division title, the NFC championship and a Super Bowl berth, the Cardinals don't figure to do much lineup-tweaking this year. At least not by choice. But one area where the team is considering a potential upgrade is at left offensive tackle. Incumbent Mike Gandy, an eight-year veteran, is solid and has started all 16 games at the position the past two seasons. But Gandy, 30, has a cap charge of $5.8 million. There are people who feel his best position is right tackle and he isn't quite worth what Arizona is paying him. The Cardinals' brass is considering free agent Levi Jones, who was released by Cincinnati earlier this spring and is a superior player to Gandy if healthy. In fact, the Cardinals have already spoken to Jones about his possible interest in the team.

[skinsnut]

Originally Posted by CRedskinsRule

k, so I debated starting an O-Line thread, or finding the 2009 Free Agent Thread, but ended up going with adding this here.
I am still holding out a small hope that we get Levi Jones in as a backup to Chris Samuels but according to this article it looks like he may be going to Arizona.

Levi Jones aint that great dude...I dont want him...he gives up tons of sacks....think of Jansen, then take away the "guts"
It anything, if Gandy were cut, he may viable for our RT if we sustain an injury.

[CRedskinsRule]

Originally Posted by skinsnut

Levi Jones aint that great dude...I dont want him...he gives up tons of sacks....think of Jansen, then take away the "guts"
It anything, if Gandy were cut, he may viable for our RT if we sustain an injury.

I am looking at it as a backup to Samuels. Levi would surely fill that role, I would take Gandy also. RT may be our deepest position - not our best, but deepest. But Samuels really makes or breaks our OL and when we lose him for a couple games, we have to rush him back in, I would rather have a solid LT, which Levi is, to back Samuels up, and lose one of our depth players for the RT spot.

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by CRedskinsRule

I am looking at it as a backup to Samuels. Levi would surely fill that role, I would take Gandy also. RT may be our deepest position - not our best, but deepest. But Samuels really makes or breaks our OL and when we lose him for a couple games, we have to rush him back in, I would rather have a solid LT, which Levi is, to back Samuels up, and lose one of our depth players for the RT spot.

This is an intelligent post.

[CRedskinsRule]

Originally Posted by skinsnut

Levi Jones aint that great dude...I dont want him...he gives up tons of sacks....think of Jansen, then take away the "guts"
It anything, if Gandy were cut, he may viable for our RT if we sustain an injury.

ok, so I wondered, and googled, and found this on a Dolphins chat site:

I found this from a friend, who found it on another teams website. Like him, I really enjoyed looking at it and analyzing it. I hope you all like it too!!!

Left Tackle

1. Ryan Clady (Broncos) 0.5 sacks allowed (16 starts)
2. Michael Roos (Titans) 1.0 sacks allowed (16 starts) *PRO-BOWL Reserve*
3. Tra Thomas (Eagles) 2.0 sacks allowed (16 starts)
3. Orlando Pace (Rams) 2.0 sacks allowed (14 starts)
5. Jake Long (Dolphins) 2.5 sacks allowed (16 starts) *PRO-BOWL Reserve*
6. Jordan Gross (Panthers) 3.0 sacks allowed (15 starts) *PRO-BOWL*
6. Jammal Brown (Saints) 3.0 sacks allowed (15 starts) *PRO-BOWL Reserve*
6. Jared Gaither (Ravens) 3.0 sacks allowed (15 starts)
6. Marcus McNeill (Chargers) 3.0 sacks allowed (14 starts)
6. Tony Ugoh (Colts) 3.0 sacks allowed (12 starts)
6. Chris Samuels (Redskins) 3.0 sacks allowed (12 starts) *PRO-BOWL Reserve*
6. Todd Weiner (Falcons) 3.0 sacks allowed (11 starts)
13. Walter Jones (Seahawks) 3.5 sacks allowed (12 starts) *PRO-BOWL*
14. D’Brickashaw Ferguson (Jets) 4.0 sacks allowed (16 starts)
14. Bryant McKinnie (Vikings) 4.0 sacks allowed (12 starts)
14. Max Starks (Steelers) 4.0 sacks allowed (11 starts)
17. Joe Thomas (Browns) 4.5 sacks allowed (16 starts) *PRO-BOWL*
17. Branden Albert (Cheifs) 4.5 sacks allowed (15 starts)
19. Levi Jones (Bengals) 5.5 sacks allowed (11 starts)
20. Mike Gandy (Cardinals) 6.25 sacks allowed (16 starts)
21. David Diehl (Giants) 6.5 sacks allowed (16 starts)
22. Flozell Adams (Cowboys) 7.25 sacks allowed (16 starts) *PRO-BOWL Reserve*
23. Khalif Barnes (Jags) 7.5 sacks allowed (16 starts)
23. Matt Light (Pats) 7.5 sacks allowed (16 starts)
23. Chad Clifton (Packers) 7.5 sacks allowed (15 starts)
23. Kwame Harris (Raiders) 7.5 sacks allowed (11 starts)
27. Joe Staley (49ers) 8.5 sacks allowed (16 starts)
28. Donald Penn (Bucs) 8.5 sacks allowed (16 starts)
29. Jeff Backus (Lions) 9.25 sacks allowed (16 starts)
30. John St. Clair (Bears) 9.75 sacks allowed (16 starts)
31. Duane Brown (Texans) 11.5 sacks allowed (16 starts)
31. Jason Peters (Bills) 11.5 sacks allowed (13 starts) *PRO-BOWL*

Obviously both would be a drop off from Samuels, and this doesn't talk about RunBlocking, but to say Jones would be awful, doesn't seem to match these unofficial stats, even accounting for the difference in games played. Also Cinci faced Baltimore/Pitt two times each, Arizona faced???

Either way both apparently had a better year than Jason Peters who the Eagles took.

[skinsnut]

Originally Posted by CRedskinsRule

ok, so I wondered, and googled, and found this on a Dolphins chat site:



Obviously both would be a drop off from Samuels, and this doesn't talk about RunBlocking, but to say Jones would be awful, doesn't seem to match these unofficial stats, even accounting for the difference in games played. Also Cinci faced Baltimore/Pitt two times each, Arizona faced???

Either way both apparently had a better year than Jason Peters who the Eagles took.

My point is Jones is really a backup LT and Gandy should be a RT.
Gandy's stats as a LT are essentially the same as Jones as a LT....and, in my opinion, Gandy is out of position....so yeah...I am not a Levi fan at LT starter...Gandy should be RT....Note...Levi Jones aint old...if he was as good as his "stats" show...than why the hell did the Bungles cut him in favor of a rookie who has never played a down?...he's been on the market how long?
This should tell you a heck of a lot more than stats alone.

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by CRedskinsRule

k, so I debated starting an O-Line thread, or finding the 2009 Free Agent Thread, but ended up going with adding this here.
I am still holding out a small hope that we get Levi Jones in as a backup to Chris Samuels but according to this article it looks like he may be going to Arizona.

I have wondered about Jones and argued earlier in the offseason that he may not be a bad guy to bring in.

However, one would think that if Vinny were going to bring him in, he'd already be here.

[CRedskinsRule]

Originally Posted by Lotus

I have wondered about Jones and argued earlier in the offseason that he may not be a bad guy to bring in.

However, one would think that if Vinny were going to bring him in, he'd already be here.

Probably, but I kept holding a small hope he would be around once we see what we have in Training Camp and possibly bring him in as a late challenger. Certainly as more time passes it seems like we are going with what we've got. Which I am overall ok with, just want a backup for Samuels...

[JoeRedskin]

Recognizing that he is a huge drop off and that I am too damn lazy at the moment to google it, just wondering if Kwame Harris is still out there. Maybe he is seen as a "no one will take him so if we need an emergency guy we can always sign him" kinda guy. He'd be cheap (of course, you get what you pay for).

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by JoeRedskin

Recognizing that he is a huge drop off and that I am too damn lazy at the moment to google it, just wondering if Kwame Harris is still out there. Maybe he is seen as a "no one will take him so if we need an emergency guy we can always sign him" kinda guy. He'd be cheap (of course, you get what you pay for).

Yup, he's still free.

[The Goat]

I can honestly say nothing about Williams impressed me when we signed him. Sure it was nice hearing about his friendship w/ Dock and the families spending time etc., but a few months back this looked like a waste of time and valuable space in the classroom and on the practice field.

Now I'm rethinking the whole situation. Williams' determination has become one of the most impressive off-season stories IMO. Guy lost 100 lbs...he must feel like twinkle toes!!! Obviously conditioning, endurance and propensity for injury are big question marks, but I have to believe it took a lot of conditioning to lose the weight. Less weight means his endurance should rebound nicely and hopefully put less stress on the body toward injury.

Finally I have to wonder if Williams is better suited for RT anyway. I mean the prototypical LT just isn't that big, taking on the best speed rushers in the game requires tremendous agility. At 340+, which is where Williams probably settles, he's gonna have more luck taking on the bigger, heavier bull rush type LDEs.

[T.O.Killa]

My God. Vinny Cerrato said that Mike Williams is down to 337. Wow, I am thinking that Mike needs to stop losing wieght now. Pretty excited about seeing him play.

[CRedskinsRule]

Originally Posted by T.O.Killa

My God. Vinny Cerrato said that Mike Williams is down to 337. Wow, I am thinking that Mike needs to stop losing wieght now. Pretty excited about seeing him play.

Wow. Really want to see how he does. I can't imagine having the discipline/desire to lose that much weight. I hope it benefits him for the rest of his life regardless of how he does on the Skins. Of course i also want to see him steam role Usi.

[NYCskinfan82]

At the rate MW is going he will be at a WR weight soon.

[ethat001]

Mike Williams solidifying his place with Redskins
Considered a first-round bust as a tackle, Mike Williams has resurrected his career with the Redskins.

Williams has a promising future in the league as a guard, Coach Mike Shanahan says, and Williams is the Redskins' first-team right guard. He has continued to strengthen his standing during the first two days of the second voluntary minicamp.

Things are going well for Williams, who eventually got it figured out.

"I get it now," he said after practice Saturday at Redskins Park. "It took some time for me to get it, but it's just that simple. I know what it takes now. ... I really didn't workout before in the offseason. I was one of those guys.

"But I know what it takes now. I know what it takes to be at this level and to be the best player you can. Now, I spend all my day in the weight room. Why? Because I know what this job requires. It took me some time, but I get it."

The fourth overall pick in the 2002 draft, Williams had been out of football for two seasons and last played in the 2005 regular season when the Redskins signed him as a free agent before the 2009 season. He struggled in pass protection at tackle but provided a physical presence at guard.

Shanahan and his staff liked what they saw on film and General Manager Bruce Allen rewarded Williams with a two-year contract. After weighing about 410 pounds when he joined Washington, Williams said he's down to 332.

Williams is serving as a mentor to rookie left tackle Trent Williams, whom the Redskins selected fourth overall last month. "When you first get drafted, and this is the thing I tell Trent to guard against, there's a lot of stuff going on, there is a lot of stuff on your shoulders and there's a lot of expectations," he said. "You've got to learn to recognize that, and I didn't. That's one of the faults that I had.

"There's a lot of people pulling at you and saying, 'Hey, you've got to be this.' And if you let that get in your head, you'll start getting frustrated and discouraged. You'll stop thinking about football. You start thinking about, 'Ah, man. I'm doing this wrong. Or I'm not doing this.' Then it's really hard."

The key, Williams said, is to remain focused on playing at the highest level you can.

"You're just supposed to be the best player you can be," he said. "There's going to be a lot of people who talk about you. There's going to be people who talk good about you and bad about you. But you've got to learn what you need to do to be the best football player you can be. And that comes with being a high draft pick or a free agent."
By Jason Reid | May 9, 2010; 9:00 AM ET

Redskins Insider - Mike Williams solidifying his place with Redskins

Just felt like this was a feel-good bump for this old thread. There was a lot of doubt last year about this dude, but he's shaped up & is training.. He's even kept his weight down to 330, which is a stick figure compared to the Michelin Man he was this time last year.

Good for him -- now the presumed starting RG for the Redskins.