Mike Williams to the Bucs? Why not?

Here's a blast from the past. Remember Mike Williams, the 2005 10th overall draft pick of the Lions and Tampa native?

Well, you may have heard he was waived by the Raiders on Tuesday. He should have cleared waivers by now that league business is wrapped up for the day, meaning he is a free agent.

Now, the Bucs left a roster spot open after today's flurry of transactions. I'm not saying I have any information that they intend to sign Williams. In fact, I did some digging and have it on good authority that they haven't yet inquired about his interest in possibly joining the Bucs. But, if I know this team, I know they'll be intrigued by a player with the kind of size Williams possesses (6-5, 235), even if he has been known to get a little pudgy. Plus, we all know the Bucs love reclamation projects, and this would be a big one. I mean, the guy is one of the biggest underachievers in recent draft history, but he's still just 23-years old.

Anyhow, just wanted to throw it out there for you to think about. Taking into consideration the open roster spot and the void at receiver (Michael Clayton doesn't seem likely to play this week), it wouldn't surprise me if they went this route.

If you need any further convincing, here's all you need to know: Williams is a former Raider.

Comments

[John P]

He's now a former Raider who happened to drop an unbelievably easy 4th down throw from Culpepper a few days ago. The trouble with Mike Williams goes deeper than his hands though, and I don't think the Bucs need another head case at wideout. Michael Clayton is already redefining the position in that respect.

Michael Pittman is the exception in reclamation projects. Darrell Russell, David Boston and Ryan Leaf are usually what you get when you take those guys on.

[gtskyrider]

I say bring him in, what do we have to lose...we're already losing, but the thing is we do need big receivers like him and if we can re-juvenate this guy and get him on the right track....endless possibilites. As I said before, Chas Gessner...I don't even know why they wasted time with Chad Lucas!!!! I need to be GM DAMNIT!!!!

[Dan D.]

Hey, just for the record on Gessner... He was cut from Tampa on an injury settlement. Therefore, he was ineligible to be signed by Tampa Bay until after week 8 (THIS WEEK). That is why Chad Gessner was not signed until now. Mr. gtskyrider, I tremble at the thought of you being a GM DAMNIT!!!! :)

[Bruce Allen]

A former Raider on clearing waivers?
I'm salavating and can't wait to get into the office tomorrow.

[John Gruden]

Whoa Bruce...

I still have a bad taste in my mouth from the last USC receiver we had here.

[M. Reynolds]

This is funny, because Gruden had me convinced during the 05 draft that they were going to take Mike Williams and not Cadillac. i had a pretty good rationale worked out for it too (WR's force D to back up, which gives Pittman room to run). I'm not saying any of that is going to happen here, but it would be amusing.

[Anthony Gironda]

I agree with gtskyrider, BRING HIM IN!!! Let's sign him up & see what happens in the end. Who knows, maybe he can be useful since Clayton is hurt and Galloway & Hilliard need help. SIGN MIKE WILLIAMS!!! SIGN HIM!!!!

P.S. He's a young man!!! He's 23!!

[Tom]

Coach gruden WILL make williams a hall of famer. all of you doubters know that already so just admit it now because you cant stand it B*TCHES!!!!!!!!!!!!

We're going to finish 12-4 with Gruden and Garcia leading the way!!!!!

GRUDEN IS GOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Tom]

Nice try John P. You know I'm more articulate than that jibberish that you wrote using my name.

Yeah, Mike Williams is worth a look. But I'm not sure if he's committed to playing football. He's a south tampa native. He's a pretty good guy because he does a lot of charity work at the YMCA.

He's got that Shaun King "dough boy" physique. Slow as molasses. He used to be a stud at Plant High and at USC. If someone can light a fire under him, he could be good. Wouldn't bet my paycheck on it though.

[frank c. costanza]

can he rush the passer?

[Michael Singleton]

Are you kidding me! You talk about his size you already have a guy on the team that has that size and has twice the speed in Stovall. Just throw him the damn ball. You can' tell me that this guy can't go up and get it. Gruden I don't know if you remember but 85 is 6'5" and runs a 4.4. All he did was go up and get it at Notre Dame. Take a look at some tape and make some adjustments. Let's go bucs get your $hi! together. Defense wake up and start making real tackles not this I'm gonna try and make a hard hit and not wrap up.

[aaron]

this actually wouldnt be a bad move. we all know he has talent. he was fantastic a usc. he was never surrounded by good coaching staff in the pros or never had a good qb throwing to him...oops...wait it was garcia throwing to him in detroit and we have him now. oops again, we dont have a coaching staff that is very good at developing players...oh well, i think he is worth the risk anyway. besides he is a hometown boy, maybe that will motivate him

[DR]

The Bucs couldn't develop Clayton into a good WR and now we think they'll do that with Mike Williams? I feel sorry for every young player in the Bucs organization. Ruud is doing great, more than likely because of the guidance of Brooks. These other young players have nobody to look up to.

[Tony]

Look, Williams would be cheap and may be at a point where he finally gets the fact that his participation the NFL is not guaranteed, if he wakes up, he could be a very nice addition to the receiving corp. If he doesn't, there would be no Salary Cap hit, life goes on. The most difficult part of picking him up would be the media hacks, all are saying right now to give him a shot, once signed, they will use the signing as another reason to bash Allen/Gruden.

[Mike]

I think I brought this up yesterday. He is probably back in Tampa on his mom's couch right now anyways so bring him in and give him a shot. Besides, who else is out there, Antonio Bryant?

[Mike]

So do you think that Monte talks to Lane about Mike Williams trying to get the inside scoop or is everything pretty much on the table for all coaches to know?

[Rodney Smith]

Bring him in. If I am not mistaken he went to High School in Tampa. Maybe being back at home will rejuvinate the guy.

[andy]

Bring him in........Can't hurt the team thats for sure. Bucs can use all the swinging ***** that they can muster. Just hope that the injury bug leaves this team alone for the rest of the year. Come on BYE week.