The Redskins didn't address the offensive line on draft weekend, even though it might be their biggest need. But on Friday, they did sign Bills' 2002 first-round pick, tackle Mike Williams, who had been out of football since 2006. There are more conventional ways to fill out the depth chart, and while Williams has gobs of potential -- he was the fourth overall pick seven years ago -- other than his will to return to football, there's no reason to think he'll magically play at a high level, much less make the team.
And his current physical state doesn't help matters:
Mike Williams hasn't played a down in almost three-and-a-half years. The 29-year-old weighs 404 pounds, almost 70 more than any other player on Washington's roster. ...Dockery returns to Washington to assume the guard duties after two years in Buffalo. And Williams, who sounds committed to losing weight and taking football seriously, offered this when asked if he thinks he'll start over current Redskins right tackles Jon Jansen and Stephon Heyer: "I didn't come here not to."
Pushing 450 pounds in February while running an oil services company, Williams decided to enroll in a fitness program at Duke to lose weight and become healthier. Around Easter, Williams and his wife, Enisha, moved in with former Texas linemate Derrick Dockery and the Redskins guard's wife, their close friends, to take care of their goddaughter Madison while her parents were occupied with a baby due any day.
First up: dropping another 40 pounds, something Williams hopes to do by the start of OTAs in June. No idea how this works out, but history suggests Williams will be lucky to be on the roster coming out of training camp.Whatever happens, this Mike Williams has been more successful than the one run out of Detroit two years ago. He might be slimmer, too.*
* probably not
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
4-30-2009 @ 3:42PM
Adam said...
Before anyone starts thinking he's morbidly obese, check out the picture on the Redskins Blog of him.
http://www.blogcdn.com/blog.redskins.com/media/2009/04/headshots-004.jpg
He's big, but he doesn't look out of shape. He's 6'6 and built like a tank, so carrying 375lbs isn't anything to worry about. I think he has a chance of making the team, especially if he fully commits himself. Working with Dockery will certainly help.
And for extra amusement, compare Williams to Chris Samuels: http://www.blogcdn.com/blog.redskins.com/media/2009/04/headshots-020.jpg. Samuels is a giant, but he looks like a WR compared to Williams.
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4-30-2009 @ 4:05PM
skins2win said...
Thanks for those pics. Your right he isn't fat, just freakishly big. He makes Samuels look like a reciever.
4-30-2009 @ 4:43PM
ryan said...
Adam,
Thanks for the pics. After seeing them I'm definitely of the opinion that the 'Skins Mike Williams is thinner than the Lions'/Raiders'/Titans' Mike Williams.
5-08-2009 @ 4:46AM
Steve said...
Thanks for those pics Adam..The size difference is huge hahaha Look at Chris he is like an olympic sprinter compared to a sumo wrestler,, go Mike and show us what you still have..I hope it works out for him and may the best man win the starting job...Im a skins fan first and foremost and unlike other people i will not knock any other Redskin player,if they are on the team they deserve to be there..Regards Steve
4-30-2009 @ 4:19PM
bears0492 said...
hahaha I was expecting some huge fatass. Williams looks more like a giant DT, but he's still well built. I really hope he makes the team since he has loads of untapped potential.
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4-30-2009 @ 4:29PM
john said...
I hope he makes it ! Hope Vick makes it too. Everyone deserves a 2nd chance. I'll bet a fortune there is no saint reading this comment. lol. I know I'm far from one !
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4-30-2009 @ 7:42PM
rperry2593 said...
wow.....that dude looks like a big linebacker.
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5-03-2009 @ 4:34PM
hofdale said...
mike williams will be a great story when it all will be told, starting with losing all the weight and then coming back into the NFL. He has numerous reasons to come back more dedicated and focused. The biggest reason for his newfound success will be because he is unfortunetly broke and beaten down and will be fighting for every single rep in minicamp.Living with Derrick Dockery and being pushed to play as hard as he can will evetually help him tremendously.Being a first round pick and never losing that incredible talent and technique will help him in his quest for making the team and flourishing in the redskins system will be a great, feel good story in the NFL. I wish him all the luck and look forward to his progress
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5-03-2009 @ 6:01PM
screwface5 said...
with the redskins run first philosiphy, i think mike williams should start over washed out jon jansen who did a great job early in his carreer, but can't come back from his ruptured achilles tendon (he can't drop back 2-3 steps fast enough to form a pocket on passing downs, especially when the qb is in the shotgun, so he has a real problem blocking pass rushing defensive ends, and linebackers lined up outside of him who almost always get by him without even being touched). If a 410 lb. lineman who hasn't played a snap in a few seasons beats him out, than Jansen needs to get cut ASAP because of his salary cap hit.
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