AJC > Sports > Falcons > Blog > Archives > 2008 > April > 16 > Entry
DEL.ICIO.USMini-camp ends without Williams
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The final day of the Falcons three-day mini-camp Wednesday was by far the most entertaining and spirited.
There were two lively dustups in a team drill featuring offensive tackle Harvey Dahl vs. middle linebacker Tony Taylor and Dahl vs. defensive tackle David Patterson. After the second scrap, which was pretty heated, players really got after each other.
It remained a non-contact drill, but defensive players ratcheted up their speed while offensive players, who couldn’t deliver full blows, were pretty much left to grabbing jerseys to quell the aggression.
The tempo of the practice and relative smoothness of execution was about how it should be in the third day. It is totally impossible to gauge how well certain players looked or how good various parts of the team will be because so many players will change and guys weren’t working in pads. There are dozens of mini-camp Pro Bowlers who shrivel once things actually turn to football.
In what is becoming a very interesting development, safety Jimmy Williams missed the final two days of camp. While the camp was voluntary, Williams’ absence created somewhat of a buzz.
Coach Mike Smith provided no reason for Williams’ absence other than players don’t have to be here. Williams has not returned phone calls from the AJC.
Williams was at the first workout and later met with Smith. Since then, Williams has been AWOL.
Williams might have a very viable reason for not being in attendance but for a player who entered the league with high expectations only to remain an enigma after two seasons, missing time now isn’t good. The roster has been gutted and a new staff is in place, so there isn’t a better time to make an impression.
Williams, who was moved from cornerback to free safety last season, spent Day 1 of mini-camp as the No. 3 free safety behind free-agent signee Erik Coleman and Antoine Harris, who saw significant action last season, mainly in nickel packages.
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By chc4
April 16, 2008 3:03 PM | Link to this
Jimmy Williams is clearly a malcontent. And to think we traded up for him. What a moron.
By AH
April 16, 2008 3:18 PM | Link to this
Unless he had a family emergency he should have been at those practices.
Trade ‘em and get another pick to play with. Even if it is a 6th rounder. We saw what he has in the tank, let’s move on and see if someone else wants to step up.
By Jim P.
April 16, 2008 3:25 PM | Link to this
Hope he had a good reason for not being at camp. If you look at the list of players that are gone, most of them were distractions are so pro-vick that they had to be cut. Williams needs to watch his step, or he will be next.
By Casey
April 16, 2008 3:30 PM | Link to this
Maybe Jimmy Williams is involved in some behind the scenes trade? And they don’t want him twisting an ankle or something just before the draft.
By GATORZONE
April 16, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this
True that chc4… Jimmy will be gone before the season begins. What a total disappointment. Another fine decision by Rich Mckay! I am sure glad that he is not running the show anymore.
By JD
April 16, 2008 3:37 PM | Link to this
Last month Coach Smith said Redman and Harrington would compete for the starting job. Has that changed because the caption said Redman would enter training camp as the starting QB?
By Tell It Like It Is
April 16, 2008 3:38 PM | Link to this
As a manager of men for 40 years, when a newcomer doesn’t show up or tell his bosses where he is and why he’s not where he should be is an ominous sign.
The old adage about only having one chance to make a good first impression holds true in this situation.
Get rid of him now and same the aggravation.
I’m positive and hopeful that this can be the beginning of a new era with the birds.
By jsniper
April 16, 2008 3:40 PM | Link to this
Its not like Williams is a superstar. He needs to be at every camp he can attend. He is not even a proven or solid starter. He is making a mistake and giving Mike Smith a bad impression from the get go. He needs to get his butt in gear and show how badly he wants to be a part of this team!
By David Beard
April 16, 2008 3:45 PM | Link to this
For a guy trying to get a starting spot he is certainly going about it the wrong way. At this point the guy needs camp more than most others on the roster due to the fact that he has done absolutely nothing since he got here!
By Terrance Moore
April 16, 2008 3:48 PM | Link to this
Leave Jimmy Williams alone. The media is gonna make a big deal about this, and we’re gonna lose him because of it.
By morris
April 16, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this
Time to jettison Williams and then the team will be free of malcontents. It’s not like he has talent anyway. At least meangelo could play when he was mentally into the game. Williams is a complete bust and a low character on top of it. I think this minicamp is the beggining of the end for Mr. williams. What is it about these Virginia tech players? I don’t want to sterotype a entire college program but I hope the falcons steer clear of drafting guys from that school.
By Stuart D. Gilcreast
April 16, 2008 3:49 PM | Link to this
first!
By Regal1_Got 1
April 16, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this
Perhaps J. Williams is attending one of many functions regarding the one year anniversary of the Virginia Tech incident.
I wonder if Jake Long still have nightmares about Vernon Gholston?
By GATORZONE
April 16, 2008 3:58 PM | Link to this
Tell it like it is… Couldn’t agree more. Dump him now. We do not need the distraction and aggravation!
By Darrin "The Vent King"
April 16, 2008 3:59 PM | Link to this
Hey JD, I hope the caption is right. Joey “Blowey” isn’t anymore competition than a crash-test dummy.
By Billy
April 16, 2008 4:02 PM | Link to this
Jimmy Williams should be arrested for impersonating a defensive back!
By maurice
April 16, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this
We don’t know why he didn’t come to mini camp. He may have a good reason… he may not. Until we know the facts, there is nothing that we can say or do about his absence. Hey his coach wasn’t worried and neither were his team mates. The AJC tried to get in touch with him and he didn’t answer. They never said he didn’t answer calls from his teammates. Read between the lines. A newspaper will only give you information that They think is relevant.
By ChicagoPOW
April 16, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this
Um, who cares? JW didn’t show, we don’t know why, end of story. Tell us about who looked good, who looked bad, and how this base of 58 or 59 guys is shaping up.
By ernisTbass
April 16, 2008 4:10 PM | Link to this
Never noticed how much Redman looks like Chipper but he sure favors him in that picture. As for Williams,I doubt there is any interest in him from anybody else. It may be one of those trades where all you can get is a dozen footballs and two season tickets in the cheap seats. Put him in the Aundrey Bruce, Peerless Price,etc. file and cut him loose.
By Chris Johnson
April 16, 2008 4:11 PM | Link to this
Forget Jimmy. We need to draft Chris Johnson from ECU. Go to East Carolina’s myspace page and look at this guy’s 4.19-4.24 speed. We got Norwood but he has been hurt. This guy can play RB/WR/KR. We need to get him with our early second round pick. you can’t teach speed.
By ZDawg
April 16, 2008 4:13 PM | Link to this
What does this say about Va Tech. Vick? D Hall??? and now Jimmy Williams??? Think the Falcons better be looking at a different place to draft its players.
By MikeJones
April 16, 2008 4:14 PM | Link to this
And Terence heaven we forbid we lose out on the 6 special team tackles Jimmy would have contributed this season….
By Ready 4 Sum Football
April 16, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this
All of this fuss over a non-starter (Jimmy Williams)? Hey, How is Brian Finneran looking?
By jeanE
April 16, 2008 4:16 PM | Link to this
Thanks AJC for including a pic of DJ Shockely & B. Finn trying to come back…I hope so bad they both make it!! Jimmy Williams obviously is a moron, Smith must’ve told him something he didn’t want to hear & bye! Bad Bad pick, please put a moratorium on V. Tech draftees!! I hope Bill Parcells is just messing about about Jake Long talks, he should be ours!!
By Juno1977
April 16, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this
WHY IS BROOKINGS STILL ON THE ROSTER. UNTIL THEY RELEASE HIM THEY WON’T GET BETTER. HE’S NOT A MIDDLE LB AND HE’s TO SLOW TO COVER ON THE EDGE. CUT HIM, CUT HIM, CUT HIM.
By DawgFan96
April 16, 2008 4:20 PM | Link to this
Hopefully we can get a 7th round pick for Williams in the upcoming draft.
By Rod
April 16, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this
JD, Coach Smith said there would be competion at QB between Redman, Shockley, and Joey. Nothing has changed. He wants to see Shockley on the field is what he said too. I think they are going to package Jimmy Williams to move up one spot to number two so they can get Dorsey.
By TheJama
April 16, 2008 4:24 PM | Link to this
Purge the team of the remaining VA Tech draftee malcontent. There is a reason he is #3 on the depth chart. Won’t be the only 1st round bust the NFL and the Falcons have ever seen.
However, if in fact he does have an emergency or valid reason to miss the mini camp and the Coach Smitty is aware than we, as fans, need to hold judgement.
By Sly Ty
April 16, 2008 4:48 PM | Link to this
He’s clearly a distraction, only because the media reported it. If he was a 3rd team guy, it doesn’t hurt in the same way as loosing D.Hall. The GM needs to find a way to package him out, and get use of him by getting D-Line or O-Line personnel. Also, DON’T DRAFT MATT RYAN. Check his stats, Brian Brohm is a better player, but Josh Johnson can be taken in rd 3, Grab lineman with the early picks.
By Billy C
April 16, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this
Let’s get DJ Shockley some PT this year. Maybe we don’t even need to waste a draft pick on a QB. During the draft, stick with the beefy linemen and beastly defenders that really win games.
By E
April 16, 2008 5:18 PM | Link to this
Jimmy isn’t helping himself by skipping practice. They may call it “optional”, but when every single other player on the roster shows up, it’s pretty clear that the coaches stressed the importance of this mini-camp to the players beforehand. Eric Gray
By GT GRAD
April 16, 2008 5:55 PM | Link to this
JW can play, but he needs a clean slate and a new start with a different team……I say we trade him to the highest bidder and wish him the best.
I hope trade talks are already under way and the reason he is not at the mini-camp is because the Falcons have told him they plan to complete a trade. If this is not the case, he is either a complete idiot (for not attending the entire mini-camp) or he is trying to get cut so that he can sign with a different team!
By billy g
April 16, 2008 6:14 PM | Link to this
Whoa! How do you guys know that Williams did not communicate with Smith? He could have a family emergency and asked for his personal matters to be kept private.
Why jump the gun? Wait, lisen and learn before we stand this guy up to the firing squad.
By deadbird
April 16, 2008 6:34 PM | Link to this
The ramifications of Mike Vick’s actions are still affecting this team. Any other year a player missing a voluntary workout would be not nearly as major of a topic. Perhaps Jimmy has a good reason and maybe its none of our business. If Coach Smith and Dimitroff complain, then we get worried, but until then, don’t let the actions of past players so severely alter your ability to wait for the truth before you throw him under the bus. In the end, if he needs to be thrown I trust the new admin to handle it.
By Realist
April 16, 2008 7:28 PM | Link to this
No mo’ Hokies!
By Rutuger
April 16, 2008 8:18 PM | Link to this
Guys, give Jimmy Williams a break!!!
… he probably just realized that he frickin sucks and decided to stay home.
By ME
April 16, 2008 9:18 PM | Link to this
We need Michael Vick back. Season Tickets is on hold till he comes back or they get me another Mr. Exitement. Shame on the Falcons, everybody has to get a second chance::did’nt you?
By BradintheATL
April 16, 2008 9:58 PM | Link to this
Hey Juno, its “Brooking” without an “s”. Turn off the ALL CAPS my brotha.
By Dr. Warren
April 16, 2008 10:38 PM | Link to this
Are you serious?? Jimmy Williams, again?? Let him earn our attention before we give him so much.
By Brian
April 17, 2008 9:20 AM | Link to this
Thanks for the update Steve. I’m glad to hear that some these guys have already got some fire in them. One wonders what the truth is behind William’s no show. It was a voluntary camp. I wonder if it has anything to do with his marijuana possession charge last year. He has to be a little upset knowing the he would be relagated to a back-up roll at best behind E. Coleman. Hell of a way to make an impression if he didn’t have a legit reason.
By TDub
April 17, 2008 10:33 AM | Link to this
Based on that “smashmouth” article in the paper today, I can imagine that the Falcons will be pretty upset if they don’t get their hands on Jake Long at #3. It also seems very likely that they’ll wait for a QB early in the 2nd. Brohm seems like an unlikely candidate since he’s such a prolific passer. Maybe Henne is their guy?
I’m looking forward to a hard-playing, physical team. I want other teams to have their physical therapists on speed dial after playing us.
By chc4
April 17, 2008 11:43 AM | Link to this
Seems to me that if JW had a valid reason to miss camp (ie: family illness/emergency) it would’ve been stated up front. Coach Smith’s only response was “he’s not here and the minicamp is optional”. Sounds ominous to me. If he had a legit reason to skip, JW or his agent would’ve cleared it up by now.
By Tony
April 17, 2008 12:01 PM | Link to this
He reminds me of a malcontent from yesteryear, Michael Booker.
By Bias sport media need help
April 17, 2008 12:09 PM | Link to this
THE scape goat this year should not be william AJC. Give the guy a break. If this was your job and you did not have to work you would not. He may have a good reason to be off did you ask him?
By royalty
April 17, 2008 12:19 PM | Link to this
Jimmy Williams is the best backup we had on roster. Know one knows why he isn’t showing up, it could be anything. No other DB did as good as he did two seasons ago He was a solid tackler and only got burned when safety help collapsed! He should be a starting cornerback for the Falcons.
By Nick24
April 17, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this
Give this a thought. How about we don’t draft thugs from Virginia Tech. I can give you 3 reasons why. 1. First round pick on Micheal Vick. He’s in jail! 2. First round pick on DeAngelo Hall. He was all about himself and had a terrible attitude. 3. I believe a first round pick on Jimmy Williams. What has he done?
We should learn from this and stay away from the thugs that come out of Virginia Tech
By please
April 17, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this
why is every black player is a thug? Who knows why JW is not in camp let the coaches deal with it. Enough with Vick already hell I give whoever the finger to if you keep saying the same old racial remark on every post, gees let move on and fine away to get rid of Joey Halfway Harrison.
By Marcus Vick
April 17, 2008 2:10 PM | Link to this
I’m available. I’ve been working very hard this off season. Us Va Tech alums need to stand strong. We all weren’t that bad as some of you suggest.
By Bias sport media need help
April 17, 2008 2:23 PM | Link to this
All of this hell raiseing and most don’t buy Falcons tickets, they just complan and cry. If you care for the team you buy tickets if not shut up. Go watch UGA!