Jags give Williams a second chance

By Krupka  |   Thursday, June 08, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

Jacksonville Jaguars
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It's amazing how fast a once-rising star can fall. Case in point, offensive lineman Mike Williams. The formerly promising prospect out of the University of Texas was drafted by the Buffalo Bills with the number 4 overall pick in the 2001 NFL Draft. To say he has underachieved thus far in his career would be as big of an understatement as saying that Gary Coleman is short.

In college, Williams played right tackle, protecting the blind-side of now Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Chris Simms. He had a tremendous college career, accounting for his high draft stock and selection. Unfortunately, the Bills stuck themselves with what many characterize as a bust. When the organization brought him in, they were expecting the next Orlando Pace, the next "big thing." He was supposed to be the answer to protect the statue known as Drew Bledsoe. Instead, he was shuffled around from left guard, to right tackle, to right guard in his Bills career, performing inadequately at all three positions.

Bills fans characterize their former lineman as lazy, morbidly obese, injury-prone and sub-par as a pass blocker. That isn't exactly what you want from an offensive lineman. And if you happen to be that lineman, you certainly wouldn't want to hear those negative qualities about yourself.

Amid all the underachieving and poor performance in Buffalo, the Jacksonville Jaguars feel that they can make the Bills' garbage into their big coup. Of course, that will take a lot of work from the coaching staff, namely offensive line coach Andy Heck. And obviously, Williams himself. The million dollar question is can he push himself, and turn his second chance into a positive? My gut instinct tells me no. But then again, it would sure make for a good story. Not to mention it would just be the Bills' luck that as soon as they cut bait with Williams, he would turn out to be the All-Pro they desired.

The reasoning behind bringing Williams to Florida was the belief that he can, in fact, revive his career. Head coach Jack Del Rio believes that the weight issue is the center of Williams' troubles. His power and upper-body strength have been, essentially, null and void because of the excess weight he has been playing with. Although he most recently played guard for the Bills, the plan is for him to challenge Maurice Williams for the starting right tackle job.

If the big (6-6, 360 pounds), once highly-touted lineman can get his weight under control and his technique back where it needs to be, maybe, just maybe, we will be talking about the feelgood story of the year in six months. Then again, don't bet the farm on it, either.

Get more Mike Williams insights at Realfootball365.com

Eric Krupka can be reached at ekrupka@realfootball365.com
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