Ben Volin: Patriots Trade For Lions OT Mike Williams

BTTA · Aug 26, 2015

Galeb said:
I think it would be more than just a power running game. It would be a power running game with 3 or more potential 6'5"+ receiving targets. Image a single back goal line with , Gronk, Chandler, Solder and Williams on each end of the line. Pats red zone offense looks like it's going to be sick this year.

Yes, and I'm thinking beyond goal line. Role this out for a few plays after receiving a punt and starting at the 40 yard line, when the opposing coaches are working their butts off trying to anticipate the next set of passing plays. If they put their goal line defense in, they are still undersized because that will include at least three DB's.

Danger Zone · Aug 26, 2015

Doesn't a RT who can runblock incredibly well AND occasionally catch footballs just smack of Belichicks love of player versatility and tackle eligible trickery?

I love the signing even as camp/position depth though I highly suspect this kid makes the 53.

patfanken · Aug 26, 2015

We are all probably making too big a deal about an end of the roster prospect we got forr a conditional end of the draft pick. The most intriguing thing about this trade is WHY Detroit would make it. Reportedly this kid was playing fairly well, and shown signs of improving after making the transition from TE. OL has not been one of the Lions strong points in recent years. So even if the kid wasn't ready to become a starter, WTF would they literally give away a developing prospect, who at worst, would make and excellent PS player

Giving up a 7th is no big deal since the Pats are going to be awash with comp picks next season. And as to what role he'll play on the field, the blocking OT/TE role seems to be one that's emerging as a regular situational offensive position. BB looks like he's setting up more competition there.

Usually the Pats only keep 9 OLmen, but has had up to 4 on the PS some years. Maybe BB wants to see what Williams will look like at 325 next season. Volmer has had a long history of back problems and issue about keeping on the field. So, even though he's probably a top 10 RT in the league, he is reaching the stage where declining performance vs increasing cap numbers starts to become an issue. In a year or two when Volmer is gone, BB is preparing to have no shortage of competitors to take his place.

manxman2601 · Aug 26, 2015

patfanken said:
We are all probably making too big a deal about an end of the roster prospect we got forr a conditional end of the draft pick. The most intriguing thing about this trade is WHY Detroit would make it. Reportedly this kid was playing fairly well, and shown signs of improving after making the transition from TE. OL has not been one of the Lions strong points in recent years. So even if the kid wasn't ready to become a starter, WTF would they literally give away a developing prospect, who at worst, would make and excellent PS player

Giving up a 7th is no big deal since the Pats are going to be awash with comp picks next season. And as to what role he'll play on the field, the blocking OT/TE role seems to be one that's emerging as a regular situational offensive position. BB looks like he's setting up more competition there.

Usually the Pats only keep 9 OLmen, but has had up to 4 on the PS some years. Maybe BB wants to see what Williams will look like at 325 next season. Volmer has had a long history of back problems and issue about keeping on the field. So, even though he's probably a top 10 RT in the league, he is reaching the stage where declining performance vs increasing cap numbers starts to become an issue. In a year or two when Volmer is gone, BB is preparing to have no shortage of competitors to take his place.

We tried to take Williams off the Lions' PS last year forcing them to double his pay so they probably realised they wouldn't be able to get him to the PS again and felt they might as well get something from the Patriots as they were going to lose him to us anyway.

RobertWeathers · Aug 26, 2015

patfanken said:
We are all probably making too big a deal about an end of the roster prospect we got forr a conditional end of the draft pick. The most intriguing thing about this trade is WHY Detroit would make it. Reportedly this kid was playing fairly well, and shown signs of improving after making the transition from TE. OL has not been one of the Lions strong points in recent years. So even if the kid wasn't ready to become a starter, WTF would they literally give away a developing prospect, who at worst, would make and excellent PS player

Giving up a 7th is no big deal since the Pats are going to be awash with comp picks next season. And as to what role he'll play on the field, the blocking OT/TE role seems to be one that's emerging as a regular situational offensive position. BB looks like he's setting up more competition there.

Usually the Pats only keep 9 OLmen, but has had up to 4 on the PS some years. Maybe BB wants to see what Williams will look like at 325 next season. Volmer has had a long history of back problems and issue about keeping on the field. So, even though he's probably a top 10 RT in the league, he is reaching the stage where declining performance vs increasing cap numbers starts to become an issue. In a year or two when Volmer is gone, BB is preparing to have no shortage of competitors to take his place.

I agree. It is very possible that the Pats could have new starters at RT and LT next year.

manxman2601 · Aug 26, 2015

betterthanthealternative said:
Sometimes the coach brings players in to create competition where he sees it slacking off a bit. Who knows what he's seeing/thinking?

I have been wondering how he was going to respond to the emergence of "nickel as normal." How many teams are acquiring defensive talent, and spending time in practice, preparing to defend a power running game? He generally seems to be a year ahead of everyone else in adjusting to the trends.

Of course, as soon as the Pats accomplish something with it, the League will pass rules against it. And have the refs stand over the ball to delay the snap while the opposing defensive coaches try to figure out how to respond.

I'm not sure he's ahead of the curve here - Seattle have been doing ground and pound with Marshawn Lynch for a good few years. The same could be argued for the Bengals(Jeremy Hill), Steelers (Bell), 49ers and Packers in one form or another. The frequent use of the 6th lineman can be credited to BB though.

Bobs My Uncle · Aug 26, 2015

manxman2601 said:
The frequent use of the 6th lineman can be credited to BB though.

What about 7 OL (Williams - Solder - Wendell - Stork - Jackson - Vollmer - Fleming) along with 2 TE's (Gronk - Chandler) who can hold their own as blockers.

RobertWeathers · Aug 26, 2015

Bobs My Uncle said:
What about 7 OL (Williams - Solder - Wendell - Stork - Jackson - Vollmer - Fleming) along with 2 TE's (Gronk - Chandler) who can hold their own as blockers.

The book on Chandler is that he is a below-average run blocker. Even though he is a big dude, hes more of a move guy.

Develin, Hooman or a couple 6th linemen will be the alternatives in the power run game.

manxman2601 · Aug 26, 2015

With Williams being given #74, that means he's a lineman that would have to declare himself eligible if he wants to play TE, is that correct?

Wilfork#75 · Aug 26, 2015

manxman2601 said:
With Williams being given #74, that means he's a lineman that would have to declare himself eligible if he wants to play TE, is that correct?

They switched his number to 85 and he is now working out with the TE's

manxman2601 · Aug 26, 2015

Wilfork#75 said:
They switched his number to 85 and he is now working out with the TE's

Nice. Would rather have him as a TE than a lineman.

JMC00 · Aug 26, 2015

Bobs My Uncle said:
What about 7 OL (Williams - Solder - Wendell - Stork - Jackson - Vollmer - Fleming) along with 2 TE's (Gronk - Chandler) who can hold their own as blockers.

vs the dolts week 6

Williams-Solder-Mason-Wendell-Stork-Jackson-Vollmer-Fleming Gronk
---------------------------------------Brady

---------------------------------------RB

Bobs My Uncle · Aug 26, 2015

robertweathers said:
The book on Chandler is that he is a below-average run blocker. Even though he is a big dude, hes more of a move guy.

Develin, Hooman or a couple 6th linemen will be the alternatives in the power run game.

I see a lot of Bills games (I live in Bills territory) and would agree with you that Chandler isn't the greatest of run blockers (he is VG as a pass blocker BTW). However, I would rate him no worse than Hooman as a run blocker so could easily see Chandler used instead.

manxman2601 · Aug 26, 2015

JMC00 said:
vs the dolts week 6

Williams-Solder-Mason-Wendell-Stork-Jackson-Vollmer-Fleming Gronk
---------------------------------------Brady

---------------------------------------RB

Edelman hater!

Bobs My Uncle · Aug 26, 2015

JMC00 said:
vs the dolts week 6

Williams-Solder-Mason-Wendell-Stork-Jackson-Vollmer-Fleming Gronk
---------------------------------------Brady

---------------------------------------RB

Indeed. I posted that exact same lineup earlier in this thread with the multi-dimensional Cadet in as RB. Presuming Cadet can actually run out of the RB spot that is.

RobertWeathers · Aug 26, 2015

Bobs My Uncle said:
I see a lot of Bills games (I live in Bills territory) and would agree with you that Chandler isn't the greatest of run blockers (he is VG as a pass blocker BTW). However, I would rate him no worse than Hooman as a run blocker so could easily see Chandler used instead.

Interesting. I think Hooman is decent as a run blocker. If he is as good as he that great!

Froob · Aug 26, 2015

RI Patriots fan said:
From the Detroit Lions board:

"Not a fan(of this move)
Rather have the tackle depth. Very unlikely we’re gonna get a guy better than Williams in the 7th. He’s very good for a 7th rounder."

"But training camp reports/preseason games seem to indicate that he was at worst the 4th OT. Maybe the 3rd ahead of Lucas. So that’s the context from which I’m judging it."

"I hate this (trade)
Williams WAS a seventh round pick. We really gain nothing for all of his development. I thought he was going to be a solid tackle if not more…."

"hate this trade. TERRIBLE.

If Robinson was doing really well, I’d say ok, but the fact is, Robinson has been terrible. The last thing we need is a rotating tackle again because of injuries. We know Waddle hasn’t been able to stay healthy and neither has Lucas. Williams is the only decent replacement we have. What do we get? a 7th rounder, same as we used to draft him, plus we spent 2 years developing him into a decent player? UGGggg..

Now we are weak at tackle, and get basically nothing for him. I would not have done this trade unless we got a 4th round or better. Just not a fan of this trade at all."

"Looks like people are unhappy with this trade. Trading for a late pick isn’t any fun when the season is about to start, but you just gotta trust the Lions FO."

"If I were a betting man

I’d bet that Williams becomes a starter in New England. I really thought the kid could play."

http://www.prideofdetroit.com/2015/8/25/9208163/lions-trade-michael-williams-to-new-england

No better place for him to develop. He must be pumped. I know it's not Scar anymore but however you spell his name seems to be doing a great job so far.

zydecochris · Aug 26, 2015

patfanken said:
We are all probably making too big a deal about an end of the roster prospect we got forr a conditional end of the draft pick. The most intriguing thing about this trade is WHY Detroit would make it. Reportedly this kid was playing fairly well, and shown signs of improving after making the transition from TE. OL has not been one of the Lions strong points in recent years. So even if the kid wasn't ready to become a starter, WTF would they literally give away a developing prospect, who at worst, would make and excellent PS player

Giving up a 7th is no big deal since the Pats are going to be awash with comp picks next season. And as to what role he'll play on the field, the blocking OT/TE role seems to be one that's emerging as a regular situational offensive position. BB looks like he's setting up more competition there.

Usually the Pats only keep 9 OLmen, but has had up to 4 on the PS some years. Maybe BB wants to see what Williams will look like at 325 next season. Volmer has had a long history of back problems and issue about keeping on the field. So, even though he's probably a top 10 RT in the league, he is reaching the stage where declining performance vs increasing cap numbers starts to become an issue. In a year or two when Volmer is gone, BB is preparing to have no shortage of competitors to take his place.

Ken, maybe BB wants to see what he will look like at 325 next year, but I wonder if perhaps BB is thinking outside the box and using him as a TE/OT. By that, I mean that he comes in as a sixth offensive lineman like Fleming did last year (but tackle eligible), but if he is left alone he could be an effective receiving option with good hands.

At Alabama he started 40 games in four years as a devastatingly effective blocker at the TE position, and was much beloved by Nick Saban. His lack of athleticism meant he wasn't a primary receiver (51 career receptions and seven touchdowns), but when he was targeted (or left alone) he showed very good hands and didn't shrink from the moment, he had many key catches in pressure situations at Alabama.

What do you think? Could he fulfill a new role as nominally a TE but effectively a tackle eligible lineman who could occasionally receive passes?

jah · Aug 26, 2015

Wilfork#75 said:
They switched his number to 85 and he is now working out with the TE's

I thought this was a Bequette joke until I checked Twitter. What happened to Bequette, since he was 85?

JMC00 · Aug 26, 2015

manxman2601 said:
Edelman hater!

Edelman as the RB.

Ben Volin: Patriots Trade For Lions OT Mike Williams

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