Thoughts on Williamson trade
Troy Williamson as a Viking clearly was a disappointment for all parties involved. Williamson could lament that he never had a great quarterback to work with, and the Vikings could lament all the dropped passes.
But a fresh start may serve everyone involved.
Ultimately, after the team docked his pay in November, Williamson's days in Minnesota were numbered. He was diplomatic in his comments, but he clearly felt betrayed by the organization for not showing sensitivity toward him during a patch with his family.
The Vikings, meanwhile, tried to be patient with Williamson, after a disappointing 2006 season, by empowering him during the 2007 offseason. They hired a new receivers coach, George Stewart, who had a reputation for working well with young players. Stewart worked with Williamson on fundamentals, and he accompanied him on his trip to the Nike headquarters, to meet with vision specialists.
Williamson looked strong during mini-camps and even in training camp, but he once again disappeared during the regular season, never catching more than three passes in a single game.
Williamson isn't a natural at catching passes. But his speed should help him create enough room to make the routine catches.
The Vikings often sent him deep, but he could have been better served on slants and comebacks.
Williamson may never live up to his seventh overall selection. But he could become a dependable player in Jacksonville, where he'll be motivated to prove he's not an all-time bust. He'll work in a stable offense, loaded with a talented backfield and with an up-and-coming quarterback (David Garrard).
There will also be some familiar faces, most notably assistant head coach Mike Tice.
Over the weekend, the Vikings were believed to be seeking a veteran for Williamson, or a second-round pick. But, instead, the Vikings had to settle for a sixth-round pick.
But a fresh start may serve everyone involved.
Ultimately, after the team docked his pay in November, Williamson's days in Minnesota were numbered. He was diplomatic in his comments, but he clearly felt betrayed by the organization for not showing sensitivity toward him during a patch with his family.
The Vikings, meanwhile, tried to be patient with Williamson, after a disappointing 2006 season, by empowering him during the 2007 offseason. They hired a new receivers coach, George Stewart, who had a reputation for working well with young players. Stewart worked with Williamson on fundamentals, and he accompanied him on his trip to the Nike headquarters, to meet with vision specialists.
Williamson looked strong during mini-camps and even in training camp, but he once again disappeared during the regular season, never catching more than three passes in a single game.
Williamson isn't a natural at catching passes. But his speed should help him create enough room to make the routine catches.
The Vikings often sent him deep, but he could have been better served on slants and comebacks.
Williamson may never live up to his seventh overall selection. But he could become a dependable player in Jacksonville, where he'll be motivated to prove he's not an all-time bust. He'll work in a stable offense, loaded with a talented backfield and with an up-and-coming quarterback (David Garrard).
There will also be some familiar faces, most notably assistant head coach Mike Tice.
Over the weekend, the Vikings were believed to be seeking a veteran for Williamson, or a second-round pick. But, instead, the Vikings had to settle for a sixth-round pick.
posted by Sean Jensen at 11:10 AM
4 Comments:
i completely agree that Williamson should be used as a slot/slant type receiver...only time will tell if the Vikings misused him.
I've seen him drop a few on crossing routes over the middle too. It's a misnomer to say he only ran flies. And what the hell are you supposed to do with a 4.3 guy anyway? Williamson ran as many flies as TO and Moss and the other speedy receivers. Blaming the Vikings on his apparent lack of game-day confidence is incorrect IMO.
My question is, and perhaps you can illuminate the situation for me Sean, is the 6th round pick for sure? I thought a 5 would be more apt, and was hoping for a 4. Hard to believe a 6 was the best offer they got.
Secondly, there were some rumors on the KV board that Williamson had a no-trade clause in his contract. That seems weird to me. Can you confirm or deny? (Since apparently Canter likes you enough to dish out the primo breaking news scoop! Not that there's anything wrong with that, and I appreciate the info.)
The Vikings were asking for a second, or a player. But obviously the sixth round was the best they could do.
As for the no-trade clause, I don't believe a rookie deal would include that. But, even if it did, Williamson would have waived that to get out of Minnesota!
Thanks! I thought the no-trade clause idea was strange (and Canter would be a damn good agent if he got that in!), but I am still baffled as to why we only got a 6, and thought T-Will might have been choosy on where he wanted to go, had the rumor been correct. Jacksonville is very close to where he went to school...
Anyway, he's gone never never never coming back so I'ma stop worrying.
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