Mike Williams at 29 - Man or Mouse?

Mike Williams is a man on a mission; a big man on a mission. That mission is to start at Right Tackle for the Washington Redskins. At first glance, his history strongly suggests he’ll fail. That’s what multiple pundits clearly think, anyway. But, how realistic is that? Like anyone, there’s more to Williams than meets the eye. All you have to do is dig a bit, and you’ll notice that the issue isn’t his athletic ability. It’s his mental toughness and heart. That is to say, it’s his football want-to and his courage to dis an unforgiving mistress - food. Here are a few facts about Mr. Williams … He’s 6′ 6″ tall, which was the average height for Defensive Linemen at the 2002 NFL Combine; He currently weighs about 400 lbs; In 2002, he ran the 40 in 5.28 (1/100th faster than the average DL at his Combine); In 2002, he benched 225 lbs 29 times (3 more than the average DL at his Combine); In 2002, Gill Brandt remarked at how fleet of foot he was; Won the Outland Trophy’ Was a unanimous All-American selection’ Was a Playboy Magazine Preseason All-American’ Was an All Big 12 Selection’ Was favorably compared to Bryant McKinney in draft previews; Started 47 games for the Buffalo Bills in 4 seasons; Played for 3 different line coaches at Buffalo; Played for 2 failed head coaches at Buffalo. Pro Football Weekly wrote this about Williams before the 2002 draft … Awesome size. Huge all over and can play at 340 pounds without losing anything. Is still very young. Turned 21 in November and has just scratched the surface of his ability. A terrific athlete for one so large. Williams is very active, flexible, coordinated and light on his feet for a man his size. He has quick feet and quick, strong, explosive hands. Will often jar defenders with his hand punch. Can bend his knees, sink his hips and play with leverage, and when he does, no one is going to overpower or even push him backward. Can be a devastating drive blocker when he plays with leverage. Was the Longhorns’ co-offensive lineman of the year in 2000 while playing on the same line as Leonard Davis, the No. 2 overall draft pick last year. Williams was the team’s best blocker in 2001. Has Davis-like size and may be an even better athlete. So, what’s the deal with this guy? I’ll tell you what it is. He needs to finish what he’s started - working with Derrick Dockery to lose the weight and get into great shape. He needs to make football his mistress and treat over-eating as his worst enemy. He needs to ignore what the pundits say. He needs to play angry every down, from the opening of training camp to the day he retires. He needs to learn better pass blocking technique from Joe Bugel. And lastly, the Redskins need to keep him at Right Tackle and not move him to Guard or Left Tackle. If Williams does his part and the team does its part, Mike Williams will not only play Right Tackle for the Redskins, he’ll anchor what could be The Hogs, Edition II. Ultimately, it starts and ends with him. He has to decide - man or mouse? Based on what he’s accomplished so far this year, I see a man’s man.