Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Williams (19) reacts after scoring a touchdown during the first half of the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Foldy-USA TODAY Sports
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers old regime led by Greg Schiano and Mark Dominik was prepared to release No. 2 wide receiver Mike Williams just one offseason after extending him, because they were worried about his rap career, burgeoning night life, and his perceived lack of focus on the team. Ironically enough, they would have also replaced him with Rutgers product Kenny Britt, who is a much, much bigger character concern than Williams, whose distractions pale in comparison to Britt’s severe lack of work ethic.
Williams was recently involved in an incident in which he was stabbed by his brother, who turned himself in. Although the Buccaneers gave Williams a significant amount of money when they extended him last offseason, he is expendable due to a very deep WR class and the fact that he isn’t making much guaranteed money. This latest incident has many wondering if Williams could be released, especially after new GM Jason Licht expressed his disappointment with his WR, who has, again, been the subject of release rumors earlier due to off-field issues.
Buccaneers head coach Lovie Smith has earned the reputation for being an excellent player’s coach, and he backed up Williams in comments made today. According to the Tampa Tribune’s Roy Cummings, the Bucs are not planning on releasing Williams after this incident, especially since Smith added that Williams is the victim in this stabbing and should not be release for being the victim. It’s sound logic, and the Bucs would be wrong to cut their WR2 before all the facts come out. He’s a talented player despite his injury last season, and these incidents shouldn’t cause him to be cut, and I love that Smith defends him by aptly referring to him as a “victim”.