http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/football/3681562.html BUFFALO, N.Y. — Offensive lineman Mike Williams was released by the Bills on Thursday, ending an disappointing four-year tenure in Buffalo for the former No. 4 draft pick. The move allows the Bills to save more than $3 million in salary cap space for next season. Williams had two years left on his contract, was due a $3 million roster bonus in July and was scheduled to count about $10.8 million against the cap next season. "Salary cap issues certainly fit into that," general manager Marv Levy told Buffalo's WIVB-TV, while attending the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis. "There's some difficult decisions that have to be made and we would like to address them early if we can. ... It's never fun to release a player." Williams' agent, David Dunn, declined comment. Williams' release did not come as a surprise because of his hefty salary and his history of sporadic performances. Last year was his worst. He lost his starting job at right tackle to undrafted free agent Jason Peters midway through the season. Attempts to convert Williams into a left guard failed when he hurt his back, an injury that forced him to miss the final five games of the season. In four seasons, Williams started 47 games. His future was in question in Buffalo even before team president Tom Donahoe was fired in January and coach Mike Mularkey resigned a week later. Levy, who replaced Donahoe, also questioned Williams' ability and work ethic as recently as last week. A former star at Texas, Williams was the first offensive lineman selected in the 2002 draft. The solid run blocker struggled in pass situations, a knock that prevented the team from using him at left tackle _ a more demanding position. Williams' off-field problems led to further questions. He was fined by the team after being unexcused for a training camp session in 2004. Williams, who also missed numerous optional minicamps earlier that spring, cited undisclosed personal reasons for missing practice. On his way to a home game against Houston in 2003, Williams flipped his truck and hurt his shoulder, forcing him to miss the game. Williams' release comes a day after the Bills designated cornerback Nate Clements their franchise player, retaining his rights by offering him a $5.89 million contract. The Bills also must determine whether to retain veteran receiver Eric Moulds, who is scheduled to make $10.8 million in the final year of his contract next season. Levy has expressed interest in attempting to restructure Moulds' contract. Moulds' adviser, Greg Johnson, said this week that Moulds, who completed his 10th season with the Bills, would like to stay in Buffalo but only if a fair deal can be achieved. "I think Eric would like to stay. He's big on loyalty," Johnson said. "But it's got to make good sense for both parties. It's got to be truly, truly a win-win situation." Former 1st rounder, did a good job in Buffalo. Will the Texans go after him for some OL help? They will definitely have to restructure or bargain w/ his contract.
Just reading this sentence here tells me it's highly unlikely that he would be a plus to the team. We actually have offensive lineman who can do a good job run blocking, it's the pass blocking that sucks.
Why not? He has talent, maybe it was the coaching? Sometimes a fresh start works wonders. If he is free, give him a shot. DD
He has played horrible since in his stay in the NFL. I rather want a proven player than this overweight scrub.
He was horrible in Buffalo. He's in terrible shape. He hasn't worked hard in Buffalo at all and was fined more than once for missing practices or showing up overweight. He may not be worse than the abomination that was Victor Riley, or Chester Pitts - but he won't be an improvement.
he was cut in the middle of his rookie contract because he was outplayed at tackle by an undrafted fa that played te in college. he isn't worth investing anything significant into.
some of ya'll are being too harsh. i agree, he isn't the right fit for what kubiak likes to do. but if he got into shape and got his head out of his ass, he can be a very good lineman. he has underacheived in the nfl and doesn't try hard at pass blocking. he needs a coach who will drive him to be the player he is capable of being. i am cowboys fan but i do think dallas could be a good situation for him because the cowboys need help on the line and a coach like parcells will whip his lazy butt into shape.
I'd have to say they will pass. Too big and slow for the zone blocking. Too many issues with character. Got beat out by an undrafted free agent TE. Good run blocker but bad in passing situations. That is what you call a recipe for further disaster. We don't need another one like him. This is the wrong time to sign projects.
Some guys have the physical tools but lack the mental toughness and commitmant. You might get by and even excel in college without both but it takes both to excel in the NFL. I agree that if he has a future in the NFL he would be more in the Cowboy's jumbo sized lineman mold and Parcells would either motivate him or cut him pretty quick. Tuna may have had all of that crap he wants already with Torrin Tucker though. Probably the hardest thing to predict is the will to do whatever it takes. If someone could come up with a combine test for that NFL teams could save a lot of money and there would be a lot less rich fat boys driving Escalades.
I see no harm in getting him in and doing an evaluations, specifically if he excels in run blocking, which the Texans will be doing a lot of...
