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View Full Version : Titans might be closer to having a viable receiving option, in Williams!


ThEgReAtOnE
05-27-2008, 09:00 PM
Ex-USC WR and current Titan, Mike Williams, is 30 lbs lighter than last year!

Tuesday, May 27, 2008 11:40 am EDT
Yahoo Sports!

http://f3.yahoofs.com/ymg/ept_sports_nfl_experts__3/ept_sports_nfl_experts-115985607-1211902690.jpg?ymj7bc_CQ.WoiTcX

Which means he's about 15-20 lbs still too heavy! In his rookie year, the 10th overall draft pick in 2005 was a grand disappointment, catching only 29 balls for 350 yards. Sadly, as it turned out, that year was actually the highlight of Mike Williams's career. In the three years since, he's caught 15 balls for 189 yards.

The reason for the colossal disappointment? Size and speed, and the fact that Williams had too much of the former, and not enough of the latter. And that's fine if you're an offensive guard, but doesn't help when you're drafted to be a franchise wide receiver. Last year, he played (or at least put on a uniform) at over 260 pounds, and he ran as if he was the illegitimate love child born out of an unholy union between Drew Bledsoe and a glacier.

Titans coach Jeff Fisher bluntly told Williams to get in shape or get another job, and Williams has responded. He says he's lost 30 pounds, and is currently listed at 242, which would've had his weight last year closer to the 270-mark. I can't think of a lot of great 270-pound wide receivers in NFL history.

"That conversation with Fisher, only a fool wouldn't take it as such," Williams said of the coach's ultimatum after a recent minicamp session. "It was pretty much, `You make a commitment to be in shape when you come back or ... move forward."'

It would be a shame if Williams never got to show the NFL any of the potential he displayed at USC. Coming out of college, I thought -- and I hate to share any personnel opinions that I had in common with Matt Millen -- that Williams would be a beast in the NFL. It sounds like the speed and fluidity still need a lot of work, but if he can even get on the field for 40 or 50 catches this year, that'd be a big, big step.

jtk1519
05-27-2008, 09:24 PM
He's not too heavy. Fisher wants him down to 235 which is where he played as a soph. at USC when he was in his top physical shape.

There have been a lot of great articles written on him recently and suffice it to say that the Titans are very excited. Basically Williams admits that the year he missed before he was draft eligible really hurt him because it took away the structure that he needed to keep himself in shape. He then got into the NFL and didn't get the help he needed and frankly got lazy. To add to the problem, Norm Chow was the one that brought him to Tennessee and Chow wanted to convert Williams to a TE/H-back type player and told him to keep his weight up around 260. That plan was a failure, Chow was canned and Fisher stepped in and said that Williams was a WR and if he wanted to play, he would have to get back to his college playing weight of 235-245.

It will certainly be interesting to see how he pans out, but supposedly Dinger is real high on him.

ThEgReAtOnE
05-28-2008, 05:11 PM
I'd still have Mike at around 225, no higher than 230. That said.. I just hope he becomes the prime target for VY.. and he brings his "A" game. Lord knows Vince needs it.. and outside of Williams and Crumpler, the Titans haven't done much to help Young out, in the Receiving department!

jtk1519
05-28-2008, 06:20 PM
I have never been a big USC fan (though I certainly don't dislike them), but I loved watching Williams play. The dude was absolutely huge and that is what most people have forgotten about him. He was always built like a TE, with plenty of speed to go deep. His biggest asset though was his physical nature and the way he could defeat a physical CB at the line. Exhibit A...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=6m0tatzaC68

ThEgReAtOnE
05-28-2008, 07:05 PM
I have never been a big USC fan (though I certainly don't dislike them), but I loved watching Williams play. The dude was absolutely huge and that is what most people have forgotten about him. He was always built like a TE, with plenty of speed to go deep. His biggest asset though was his physical nature and the way he could defeat a physical CB at the line. Exhibit A...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=6m0tatzaC68

Combine that pwnage with this...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=2PBe2d3lCqw

This...

http://youtube.com/watch?v=XhUhLtAC_Ok

and, of course, this..

http://youtube.com/watch?v=tgF9BVHBhNM&feature=related

And you might have yourself something, there! I'll certainly be rooting for their success!