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Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Williams’ cut not a surprise
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The Falcons’ release of safety Jimmy Williams Tuesday morning didn’t come as much of a surprise as he rapidly fell out of favor with a new coaching staff that didn’t appreciate him reporting to offseason workouts weighing 236 pounds.
It didn’t help Williams’ case when he dipped out of town for two of three voluntary mini-camp workouts.
Though Williams was well within his rights to leave, the team had just signed Erik Coleman in free agency to start at free safety and this staff wants players on board who want to compete and earn their jobs.
Making things worse for Williams, Atlanta drafted Cal safety Thomas DeCoud in the third round, moving Williams further down the depth chart. By the time Williams was cut, Coleman, DeCoud and Antoine Harris were ahead of him in the pecking order.
Of equal note, although imprisoned/suspended Michael Vick is on the roster, Williams’ dismissal clears the team of any players from Virginia Tech. In a three-year span starting in 2005, former Hokies Keion Carpenter, Matt Lehr, Vick, Williams, DeAngelo Hall and Bryan Randall have come and gone.
Most notable about Williams’ release is that he was the top choice (second round) of the ’05 draft class that has not yielded a full-time starter. In fairness, it was a five-man draft group with no first-round pick (that was dealt in order to land DE John Abraham).
However, not having a starter from one-draft class affects the quality of the roster. Compounding things, only one player from the ’04 draft class - WR Michael Jenkins - is still with the team.
Hall (Oakland) and QB Matt Schaub (Houston) were traded. Linebacker Demorrio Williams was not re-signed and the remaining three players were cut within two years.
Are there any questions now as to why this team had to be rebuilt?
