Patriots sign Malcolm Williams off Practice Squad to Active Roster
 

It Is What It Is » Patriots sign DB Malcolm Williams to take place of Ras-I Dowling » Mike Petraglia

Defensive back Malcolm Williams will take the place Ras-I Dowling on the active 53-man roster after being signed off the practice squad on Saturday.

Williams, 24, was originally signed to the practice squad on Sept. 1 after being released following training camp on Aug. 31. The 5-foot-11, 205-pounder was originally drafted by New England in the seventh round (219th overall) out of Texas Christian in the 2011 NFL Draft.

Williams was released by the Patriots at the end of his first training camp before being signed to the practice squad in November. Williams rotated between the practice squad and 53-man roster after being re-signed and played in two regular season games and all three postseason games, including Super Bowl XLVI, mostly on special teams.

More on Malcolm Williams below. From what I have read today he has already been taking Dowling's place during practices. He bounced on and off the practice squad last November, was on the roster as a special teams player for a couple games last December.

New England Patriots: Malcolm Williams

Malcolm Williams Profile - TCU Horned Frogs Official Athletic Site

Bubble Watch: Malcolm Williams - New England Patriots Blog - espnBoston

Re: Patriots sign Malcolm Williams off Practice Squad to Active Roster
 

Well he has a good name for a DB ... let's hope he turns into at least the next Randall Gay or hank Poteat.

Re: Patriots sign Malcolm Williams off Practice Squad to Active Roster
 

I think there was a lot of talk about Williams moving to safety in the offseason, so that may end up being the plan.

We'll have to see how it plays out.

Re: Patriots sign Malcolm Williams off Practice Squad to Active Roster
 

Looking for a silver lining here.

When he was drafted wasn't Williams already a very good ST players with questions about his ability to play a regular position? Could he maybe be an improvement at KR for us?

Despite the TD last week, McCourty hasn't been anything special for us at KR.

Re: Patriots sign Malcolm Williams off Practice Squad to Active Roster
 

I've felt that he should have been on the roster from opening day on his st alone. He can't play d but who can half the time in our secondary.

Re: Patriots sign Malcolm Williams off Practice Squad to Active Roster
 

Yeah, I too was confused when we went with Marquice Cole (future R&B sensation with a name like that!) over Malcolm Williams.

Re: Patriots sign Malcolm Williams off Practice Squad to Active Roster
 

Can't be any worse than what we've seen aside from McCourty/Wilson/Dennard

Re: Patriots sign Malcolm Williams off Practice Squad to Active Roster
 

anything is better than May-I, Should-I, Could-I, Was-I, Ras-I

Re: Patriots sign Malcolm Williams off Practice Squad to Active Roster
 

In an interview during the offseason, he did mention that he would likely be moved to Safety. However, throughout training camp and preseason, he has played solely at Cornerback. Could he still be at Safety if called upon? Certainly. But so far, he's been practicing as a Cornerback to our knowledge.

Let's hope he'll stick to his Special Teams niche, for the sake of us all, though.

Re: Patriots sign Malcolm Williams off Practice Squad to Active Roster
 

I have to think that the secondary as a whole, it isn't ALL their fault. Coaching is VERY suspect I would have to think.