SB Nation - Willie Williams

Eagles Release Three Players

Bob_Q — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 22:06:29 -0000

More photos » by Bradley C Bower - AP

According to the Philadelphia Eagles website, the final roster cuts have begun and three players received the axe this afternoon:

The Eagles cut three players Friday afternoon, releasing tight end Eugene Bright, defensive tackle Willie Williams and linebacker Curtis Gatewood. The team's roster now stands at 72. The Eagles must cut 19 players between now and Saturday's 6 p.m. deadline to reach the league-mandated 53-man roster limit.

No surprises with these initial cuts. None of the three players made much of an impression during the four preseason games. This move leaves the Eagles with five defensive tackles, four tight ends, and eight linebackers on the current roster. Who will be next on the chopping block? Stay tuned as the roster cuts continue.

Thanks to KingMcNabb5 for breaking the news.

Eagles sign DT Willie Williams

JasonB — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 18:02:19 -0000

It turns out that the "mystery player" that was referenced in the fanshot below was DT Willie Williams, who signed with the Eagles today.

The 6-4, 305 lb Williams is a 2nd year player out of Louisville who spent time on the Rams' practice squad last year.

Since Jeremy Maclin is still not in camp, the Eagles didn't have to cut anyone to add Williams to the roster. When Maclin does sign, Willie may very well find his stint with the Eagles short lived.

Arizona Cardinals News: Supplemental Draft Preview

Hawkwind — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 01:00:12 -0000

While the NFL draft is a huge weekend in April that receives more buildup and publicity than Paris Hilton's birthday party, the red headed step child of the draft process is the yearly Supplemental Draft. It rarely get's much, if any, publicity and it'll take some serious googling to find any significant information on the S-draft or the players who are involved. For some quick facts about the S-draft, only 38 players have been selected in the 31 years that it's been in place and a team can select as many as seven players or not select a player at all. The Arizona Cardinals have only selected two players, Timm Rosenbach (1989) and Willie Williams (1990), although neither player really made an impact. Interest in the draft has wained over time considering that 23 players were selected from 1977 to 1990 but just 14 players have been selected since 1990. Last year there wasn't even a player who declared for the draft. Some big name players have come from this process including Bernie Kosar, Brian Bosworth, Chris Carter, Rob Moore, Jamal Williams and Jared Gaither (Raven's starting LT).

For those were aren't familiar with the process, it's much different the normal NFL draft and you won't even find coverage on it via your television. First the 'draft' is held tomorrow and it's basically a silent auction format in which teams submit bids (ala the round that they wish to select a prospect) and the winning bid gets the player and the subsequent pick in forfeited in the following April draft. For example if the Cardinals selected a prospect tommorrow with a fourth round pick, they'd lose their fourth round pick for the April 2010 draft, but there is no loss for submitting a non-winning bid. Normally the players in the draft are guys who have lost their eligibility for one reason or another. It's most often academic related but it can also include failing drug tests or getting booted from their college teams for any number of reasons. There are a handful of prospects who have entered the draft this year and there is at least one player who is thought of as a 'lock' to be selected. Here's a quick look at each, although for the record the Cardinals haven't shown much interest in any of these guys:

Jeremy Jarmon (DE, Kentucky): Jarmon, a former All-SEC defensive lineman, has great size (6-3, 278) and was thought of as one of the nation's top senior defensive ends entering the year. But after he tested positive for a banned substance, the NCAA ruled him ineligible for 2009, thus leaving him with the only option of making the jump to the NFL. He recently had an impressive workout for scouts and representatives from 18 teams and could go as early as the third round. He ran his 40 in a time of 4.78 seconds, posted 19 reps on the bench and reached 31 inches on his vertical jump. More importantly, he was said to be in good shape, looked smooth during position drills and interviewed well with NFL teams.

Stats over the past two seasons: 100 tackles, 23.5 tackles for loss and 13.5 sacks

Fit with the Cardinals? You would think that Jarmon's size would put him on the Cardinals radar screen. Depending on which site you look at, Jarmon is listed anywhere from the low-270's to the low 280's so he's got the size to man the DE spot in a 3-4 defense. That's a hard position to find at times so putting in a late round bid would not be a terrible idea and it's conceivable that he could win the fourth DE job behind Darnell Dockett, Calais Campbell and Kenny Iwebema.

Deon Murphy (WR, Kansas State): Murphy, a former Big 12 Newcomer of the Year, is a small receiver (5-10, 170) whose value is tied to his ability as a returner. Murphy is described as one of the "cleaner prospects" in this group because he left Kansas State because of a personality conflict with head coach Bill Snyder, as opposed to a team or NCAA suspension. As a returner, Murphy was third in the nation with 17.5 yards per return, but as a receiver he's struggled with drops and press coverage. As a pro he's projected mainly as a returner although he could make an impact in the slot where he can't be pressed.

Stats over the past two seasons: 97 receptions, 1,160 yards and 11 TDs. (also averaged 17.5 yards per punt return)

Fit with the Cardinals? The Cardinals have enough problems getting all of their receivers on the field. It doesn't make very much sense to draft another Steve Breaston, but stranger things have happened.

McKinner Dixon (DE, Texas Tech): Dixon is the first real 'problem child' of this group. On the good side, he has obvious talent considering that he's racked up 15 sacks in his two seasons at Texas Tech despite never really being a starter. The bad news though is that Dixon's been suspended (or flunked out) twice and been arrested once (for open container and driving without a liscence). In 2005 he played as a true freshman and had 29 tackles and five sacks but he'd miss the next two seasons after flunking out of Texas Tech. When he returned in 2008 he won the Big 12 Newcomer of the Year award (despite not really being a 'newcomer') with nine sacks and eleven tackles for loss. Dixon, (6-3, 250) has good burst off the snap and has flashed play making ability but he lacks the bulk and strength most 4-3 teams are looking for at defensive end. If you've been around ROTB for any length of time, you know that statement describes just about every 3-4 OLB prospect coming out of college. Most of the articles mentioning Dixon say that he might be worth a late round pick or at least a free agent look.

Stats over his two seasons at Tech: 56 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss and 15 sacks

Fit with the Cardinals? The Cardinals normally avoid any player with multiple character questions like the plague so Dixon doesn't seem to be a great fit. The question the Cardinals have to ask though is whether or not his natural talent outweighs his inability to meet even the minimum academic requirements (twice). The Cardinals have an obvious need at the position and Dixon has obvious talent but it'll be up to the Cardinals brass to determine whether he's worth a look.

Demetrice Morley (DB, Tennessee): Morley was a huge recruit coming out of high school and he played in every single game as a freshman and sophmore, but academics, or a lack thereof, kept him from enrolling in 2007. After a season off that was highlighted by an arrest for robbery, he returned in 2008 and was the Volunteers starting free safety (42 tackles, two picks). He's characterized by scouts as instinctive and big enough (6-2, 195) to handle free safety but he also has the athleticism to handle a move to cornerback. Morley cleary has NFL talent but he was essentially kicked off the team by two different coaches and scouts are doubting whether an NFL team will take a gamble on him.

Stats over three seasons: 108 tackles, 5 interceptions

Fit with the Cardinals? Morley has talent but the Cardinals, for once, are stacked in the secondary. They drafted a safety and corner in April and there just isn't room for another rookie.

-------------------------------------------------

There are a couple of other guys in the mix tomorrow but these four are considered the most likely to be drafted. The other four include:

Joe McMahon (G/C): McMahon is a 6-4, 295 pound guard/center from Central Michigan and two-time Golden Gloves Champion, but was forced into the supplemental draft due to academic reasons.

Corey Surrency (WR): Surrency is a big wide receiver (6-5, 220) from Florida State who's been suspended multiple times and actually dropped out of high school in ninth grade. He's also an old prospect considering he'll turn 25 this year.

Blake Boyd (OLB): Boyd played OLB in the 4-3 defense of the Hilltoppers and racked up 184 tackles and 16.5 tackles for a loss in his three seasons before being declared academically ineligible for the 2009 season.

Torris Magee (WR): Magee has good size but he put up marginal stats at a lower level of college football and has an arrest for burglary in his past.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

That's a quick look at the guys who will be on the board tomorrow. Obviously we don't have a scouts view of these guys but would you take any of these guys with a late round pick or are the red flags to obvious?

The middle of the Rams other line

VanRam — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 16:36:42 -0000

Being a fan, it's hard to think about the Rams roll over job agains the Jets without stirring the passions a bit. Reading around to try and make sense of it, I came across this at Football Outsiders, in their "Audibles at the Line" weekly round table:

Sean McCormick: The Jets' defensive line dominated the interior of the Rams' offensive line, and the Jets' offensive line dominated the interior of the Rams' defensive line. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, sometimes this sport really is that simple. Kris Jenkins and Calvin Pace continue to make their cases for Pro Bowl consideration, and they were able to completely take away any threat of a ground game. Really, the only run plays St. Louis executed successfully were delays that took advantage of the fact that Jenkins was already deep in the backfield. With the ground game non-existent, that offensive line really had no chance against the Jets' blitz packages, or even against a four-man rush.

That's about as rational an explanation you're going to get. Talent against talent, the Rams just didn't matchup. The quitting, which was obvious, came later, once the chips were down.

The latest issue of Sports Illustrated features a short article about the rise of the big, burly nose tackle, the immovable object in the middle that in many opinions forms the cornerstone of a defense for the role they play in shutting down the running game. All else comes emerges from that plain, zen-like truth. Oh, you'll recognize the issue I'm talking about because it has Titans NT Albert Haynesworth on the cover.

No opposing DTs have stepped on the forehead of Rams C Nick Leckey this year. They don't have to. Defensive tackles roll over the Rams interior line on every play. We've talked about the offensive line ad nasuem here, so let's move to the interior of the Rams d-line.

DT Clifton Ryan has given the Rams solid play through his second year as a pro, and why he wasn't starting earlier in the season defies explanation. He's given them a solid presence in the middle and was playing well against the run...against some lesser lines than the Jets' o-line featuring C Nick Mangold. But Ryan doesn't really fit the true NT mold and can sometimes get held up by bigger blockers by themselves. He's an under tackle, more like what La'Roi Glover used to be.

DT La'Roi Glover's best days are behind him. Not a big guy to begin with - his role has always been more as a wiggle through blocks to the pocket type DT - one of the two most, ahem, experienced members of the Rams roster (only Trent Green has more years in the league) lacks the motor to play against above average o-lines.

Nine games into this season, I'm not so sure DT Adam Carriker should still be playing DT. His playmaking ability, though he lacks speed, might fit better at DE against the run. Maybe that's why the first rounder has looked like more like a fifth rounder this season, the transition from DE to DT. Maybe, he'd be better playing next to a NT that demanded double teams, something none of our DTs can boast. That way he could use his playmaking ability to stay with the ball rather than get eaten up by the blockers who don't have much else to worry about.

Willie Williams, the only other DT on the active roster, may have some pocket crashing abilities, but he was handled by the Rams backup linemen in camp this year., yeah, Rams backup linemen.

I think the Rams have a solid group at DE (though it's time to start asking about how much longer DE Leonard Little can play). They can't do much when the middle of the line gets tossed aside by opposing guards and centers, and the Rams lack talent among their LBs to make up for an interior d-line unable to require double team blocking. Line play has a lot to do with the guy playing next to you, just like our guards on the offensive side suffer because of the problems at C.

Predicting the Rams practice squad

VanRam — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 12:52:18 -0000

I'm trying to come up with a Governor's Cup joke here. Every time I get a sentence down though, it erase it, too hackneyed. Let's face it, the Governor's Cup, with most of the starters on the bench, isn't the most exciting football you'll see all season. Might be better than some of those Rams games last season though. For the 20+ guys looking to survive the final roster cut, it is a big game, a last audition.

The Post-Dispatch has a pretty comprehensive look at the final roster as it stands. To kick off the morning, I thought we'd take a stab at predicting the 8-man practice squad. Before I jump in, some housekeeping. I swapped QnA with SBN's Chiefs blog Arrowhead Pride, and will have those up later. Don't forget to check out 3k's preview.

Now, the practice squad.

Roy Schuening, G - Reading about this guy after the draft, I fully expected him to cement a backup role for himself in camp. By all accounts he came to the league as force on the o-line. He could still, and after last season's experience with the o-line, you can bet they'll keep another OL on the practice squad. Probably means Dustin Fry's days as a Rams are numbered.

Marques Hagans, WR - This is a position that will get plenty of attention in tonight's game. Hagans and the others battling for an outside chance at the 53-man roster will get plenty of passes thrown their way as well as return opportunities. Hagans has been the best receiver of these fringe guys, but Derek Stanley has an advantage in the return game. Brandon Williams might be a better kick returner, so he has a decent shot at the practice squad too. Reche Caldwell might make it because of his experience, but he could probably find work complementing the depth on another team. This is the toughest spot by far to round out the bottom of the depth chart. The Rams kept two WRs on the practice squad to start the season last year, Stanley and Dominque Thompson, and it certainly looks like they'll do that again.

Lance Ball, RB - Ball will get a lot of carries tonight, passes too. The Maryland undrafted rookie has really impressed, and had the Steven Jackson holdout dragged into the regular season, there's no question he'd be on the team. He will make the practice squad.

Bruce Gradkowski, QB - Last season, when the Rams went with just 2 QBs on their active roster, they had to keep Berlin on the practice squad. Good thing they did too because they needed him. It's possible they'll keep Gradkowski this year, with Berlin favored to retain his old job at #3. However, it's not as likely.

Eric Bassey, S - This is a tough one too because the Rams have some nagging injuries to key starters. If Jerome Carter can play tonight and doesn't completely suck, they'll almost have to keep the 4th year vet to round out depth at safety by making him the fourth. I'm assuming they'll keep 4 safeties and 5 corners. Vinnett has special teams value. I wonder if they'll keep Macklin, a vet, and put Vinnett on the practice squad?

David Vobora, LB - This depends on whether or not the Rams keep 6 or 7 LBs. If they keep 7, he's on the 53-man, contributing on ST. That scenario likely puts Marc Magro on the practice squad.

C. J. Ah You, DE - I suspect they'll keep a DL on the practice squad, and Ah You is the best of the fringe guys at that position. That leaves them a little short at DT, potentially, with just Glover, Carriker and Ryan as the only full time DTs. Of course, DTs Willie Williams and Henry Smith have as many tackles through the preseason as Adam Carriker, so they'll be working hard to make an impression tonight.

That's my educated guesses at the practice squad. We'll have definitive answers this weekend. Stay tuned.