Many people have asked why the Redskins did not draft an offensive lineman — particularly a right tackle — in the 2009 NFL Draft. Many who grade drafts have marked the Redskins down just for this reason. The Redskins have major problems on the offensive line with depth and the right side of the line appeared to be collapsing at the end of last season. RT Jon Jansen is still serviceable in the running game, but he’s a menace to quarterbacks. OT Stephon Heyer just doesn’t appear to be talented enough to be a starter in the NFL. RG Randy Thomas has lost more than a step, the result of advancing age and persistent injuries in the last 4 years.
The Redskins recently signed Mike Williams, who hasn’t played NFL football since 2005. Williams was the 4th pick in the 2002 NFL Draft, selected by the Buffalo Bills out of the University of Texas. He was considered by many to be the best offensive lineman in the draft. His massive size [6'6" and 375 lbs] made him a road grader in the running game, but he was agile enough to yield zero sacks in his final two years of college. But Williams lasted only 4 years in Buffalo before his career fell apart due to injuries and suggestions that the big lineman didn’t work hard. Williams was cut with 2 years left on his contract. Bills radio analyst John Murphy said: “I don’t know if he can be considered the biggest bust in Bills history, but he’s close.”
Williams was signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars, but spent 2006 on injured reserve. He tried to catch on with the Oakland Raiders in 2007, but a back injury prevented him from playing. The NFL forgot about him and he spent 2008 getting on with his life.
Except that the football bug never left him and he eventually began working out with former Texas Longhorn line mate Derrick Dockery, who recently returned to the Washington Redskins. Williams is 29, says he is now at his former playing weight, and is living with Dockery and his wife in suburban D.C. He hoped to return to the NFL and now he has the chance, having been signed by the desperate Redskins.
Former Redskins GM Charley Casserly calls Williams’ return to the NFL a “long shot” but the Redskins have no choice but to hope for a long shot. Asked why the Redskins didn’t grab an offensive lineman during the draft, Redskins GM/whatever Vinny Cerrato cited the signing of Williams and his alleged good performance in a workout for the Redskins. Rick “Doc” Walker, a former Redskin and current broadcaster was privy to that workout and pronounced himself impressed with what Williams was able to do.
So, are the Redskins better at right tackle than everyone believes because of Mike Williams? Well, there is no doubt that Williams has enormous size and talent. He had everything it takes to be a great offensive lineman in the NFL. But he wasn’t. He was one of the biggest draft busts of recent years. He had the size, he had the quickness, he had the strength. But he didn’t have the health or desire to make it happen.
Perhaps Mike Williams can be a decent right tackle in the NFL again. If so, the Redskins are sitting a lot prettier than we thought. But remember: Mike Williams hasn’t played a down in the NFL since 2005. If the Redskins are counting on Mike Williams solving their problems at right tackle, they’re taking one hell of a risk. Even if Williams does have his skills back, he’ll need some luck to stay healthy — the kind of luck he hasn’t had in his NFL career.
Tags: Free Agency, Mike Williams, NFL Draft, Offensive Line, Washington Redskins
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