The Buffalo Bills have been looking for a wide receiver this off-season, and it does not seem to matter to general manager Doug Whaley if that player comes with off-field baggage. They were rumored to be interested in both Kenny Britt and DeSean Jackson but were unsuccessful in landing either free agent. Today they have gone another route, trading a sixth-round pick in the 2014 NFL Draft to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for Mike Williams.
Williams has been involved in numerous off-the-field incidents including being stabbed in the thigh by his brother just a few weeks ago. His off-the-field exploits have not been well-received by new Bucs coach Lovie Smith and so Williams is getting a change of scenery.
Williams is a Western New York native who played his college ball under current Buffalo head coach Doug Marrone at Syracuse, and the hope is a reunion of coach and player will help fix those off field issues. If it works, the Bills could have a real steal here, as there is little doubt about Williams on-the-field talent.
“Mike Williams is a competitive, tough wide receiver who has the size and athleticism to add competition to our receiver position group,” Bills coach Doug Marrone said in a release.
“Today, Mike has an opportunity to get a fresh start to his career here in his hometown, and regain his form as a productive player in the National Football League,” Marrone said. “We feel Mike is a player who has the ability to help our team improve.”
Injuries limited Williams to just six games last season, when he finished with 22 catches for 216 yards and two touchdowns. He came into the league in 2010, finishing first amongst all rookies with 65 catches, 964 yards and 11 touchdowns. He has three career seasons over 60 receptions, and two with over 900 yards.
Overall, Williams has 215 catches for 2,947 yards and 25 touchdowns in 54 games.
Mike Williams joins a wide reciever group that includes Stevie Johnson, TJ Graham, Marquise Goodwin, and Robert Woods. The move adds another weapon to an offence that will look to continue to develop quarterback E.J. Manuel.
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