Pats sign S Tank Williams

[patsgo]

looks more of a mel mitchell replacement for special teams if you ask me

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

The second line is actually from "God Bless the U.S.A" by Lee Greenwood, who lost the rights to in to the US Government due to back taxes.

OT Trivia... I stayed a month in Lee's nice 7 figure condo on Anna Maria Island. Found out it was his when I got his mail there & confirmed with RE agent.

 

[BradyManny]

He's more of an in the box SS, as he's big and has good run stuffing ability. His coverage isn't great.

Good to know. So any thoughts of Meriweather moving to CB or Meriweather not being ready to start at safety needn't be brought up with this move. Which is worth re-iterating b/c personally, one of the things I am most excited about regarding the 08 season is seeing how much better this defense is with Meriweather, a true free safety, roaming the deep middle of the field.

So this move adds depth to the Sanders/Harrison combination, I guess.

I too hate to write this, but I see BelichickFan above me has already brought it up, is Harrison worth 3 mill at this point? To me, I see the Meriweather-Sanders combo as our starting safety combo for years to come, and I see Rodney as a situational player in certain packages - his coverage has declined, but he still adds value in coming up into the box to stop the run or to blitz. I've been thinking this even before adding Tank Williams for SS depth...do you pay 3 million for a guy who does that? I have been hoping they could re-structure Rodney or cut and sign him to a lesser deal...I, too, feel dirty after writing that....

 

[Ring 6]

NICKEL LB****
Special teamer
Reserve safety

 

[Keegs]

i immediately thought of Tank Abbot

 

[BJ_McWild]

This is awesome!!!

Tank will bring the PAIN!!!

 

[patsgo]

Good to know. So any thoughts of Meriweather moving to CB or Meriweather not being ready to start at safety needn't be brought up with this move. Which is worth re-iterating b/c personally, one of the things I am most excited about regarding the 08 season is seeing how much better this defense is with Meriweather, a true free safety, roaming the deep middle of the field.

So this move adds depth to the Sanders/Harrison combination, I guess.

I too hate to write this, but I see BelichickFan above me has already brought it up, is Harrison worth 3 mill at this point? To me, I see the Meriweather-Sanders combo as our starting safety combo for years to come, and I see Rodney as a situational player in certain packages - his coverage has declined, but he still adds value in coming up into the box to stop the run or to blitz. I've been thinking this even before adding Tank Williams for SS depth...do you pay 3 million for a guy who does that? I have been hoping they could re-structure Rodney or cut and sign him to a lesser deal...I, too, feel dirty after writing that....

you and belicheckfan should go get yourselves a hot shower because you guys are dirty, rodneys the heart and soul of that defense, just look at the pats record when hes in there compared to when hes out at 35 he may of lossed a step but his leadership.intangibles, and aura makes up for it

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Good to know. So any thoughts of Meriweather moving to CB or Meriweather not being ready to start at safety needn't be brought up with this move. Which is worth re-iterating b/c personally, one of the things I am most excited about regarding the 08 season is seeing how much better this defense is with Meriweather, a true free safety, roaming the deep middle of the field.

So this move adds depth to the Sanders/Harrison combination, I guess.

I too hate to write this, but I see BelichickFan above me has already brought it up, is Harrison worth 3 mill at this point? To me, I see the Meriweather-Sanders combo as our starting safety combo for years to come, and I see Rodney as a situational player in certain packages - his coverage has declined, but he still adds value in coming up into the box to stop the run or to blitz. I've been thinking this even before adding Tank Williams for SS depth...do you pay 3 million for a guy who does that? I have been hoping they could re-structure Rodney or cut and sign him to a lesser deal...I, too, feel dirty after writing that....

I doubt you guys would have resigned Tedy and paid him $2.2M either.

Rodney took a pay cut last year coming off an injury shortened season. Then he played at what some said was a high level in 2007. They may aske him to take another salary cut, or incentivize some of his salary, but he's not leaving just yet... Do you know what top safeties are making these days? And you do remember how this secondary played without him in 2005 and parts of 2006?

 

[BPF]

NICKEL LB****
Special teamer
Reserve safety

Yes. Williams is a big (6-3 223) 6 yr vet. When the Vikings signed him a away from the Titans a couple years ago he was viewed as a solid signing and as starting material but then he got hurt and missed the 2006 season. He is tough in run support and the closer he plays to the line of scrimmage the better he looks. He is one-dimensional and a liability in coverage. He reads well but isn't enough of an athlete to react and make plays when the ball is in the air in coverage. He will provide solid depth and I bet BB, Peas and Capers will only play him in specific packages. He is also a solid ST player.

 

[DaBruinz]

you and belicheckfan should go get yourseves a hot shower because yoy gus are dirty, rodneys the heart and soul of that defense, just look at the pats record when hes in there compared to when hes out at 35 he may of lossed a step but his leadership.intangibles, and aura makes up for it

The Pats record this year without Rodney was 4-0. With Rodney it was 14-1.

2003 - 17-2
2004 - 17-2
2005 - 2-1 with, 9-6 without
2006 - 8-2 with, 6-3 without
2007 - 14-1 with, 4-0 without

Totals: 58-8 with, 19-9 without.

So, yes, the Pats have been better with Rodney, but Rodney isn't ageless. And he DID hurt the Pats this year with some ill-advised penalties at the end of the season.

 

[PonyExpress]

Rodney is the best player in the pats secondary right now. That may signal a problem, but it's the truth. He is an elite blitzer, and the way they were moving him down to OLB in pass rushing sits in the postseason was a stroke of brilliance.

 

[BelichickFan]

you and belicheckfan should go get yourselves a hot shower because you guys are dirty, rodneys the heart and soul of that defense, just look at the pats record when hes in there compared to when hes out at 35 he may of lossed a step but his leadership.intangibles, and aura makes up for it

I'm not anti Rodney but time moves on and players get slower. Bruschi was brought up but you can get away with a slowing ILB more than you can a slowing Safety. I imagine Williams will be a ST guy and a re-sign as a Safety if he works out well this year with Rodney probably calling it quits. However with Sanders and Williams on the roster (along with Meriweather), that $3M does stick out on the cap page.

 

[patsgo]

The Pats record this year without Rodney was 4-0. With Rodney it was 14-1.

2003 - 17-2
2004 - 17-2
2005 - 2-1 with, 9-6 without
2006 - 8-2 with, 6-3 without
2007 - 14-1 with, 4-0 without

Totals: 58-8 with, 19-9 without.

So, yes, the Pats have been better with Rodney, but Rodney isn't ageless. And he DID hurt the Pats this year with some ill-advised penalties at the end of the season.

ill take that record for a few penalties hes a workout warrior so hes not that slow yet

 

[VJCPatriot]

I'm not anti Rodney but time moves on and players get slower. Bruschi was brought up but you can get away with a slowing ILB more than you can a slowing Safety. I imagine Williams will be a ST guy and a re-sign as a Safety if he works out well this year with Rodney probably calling it quits. However with Sanders and Williams on the roster (along with Meriweather), that $3M does stick out on the cap page.

Rodney is the best safety on this roster, so no I don't anticipate him getting cut. The Pats needed safety depth. A lot of their big plays were given up due to being unable to cover the middle of the field.

I don't even anticipate Meriweather being moved to corner. He probably will get a mix of opportunities in 2008, maybe as a big nickel?

James Sanders is the guy who should be most worried about his job. And Geno Wilson, if we haven't already cut him.

 

[DaBruinz]

ill take that record for a few penalties hes a workout warrior so hes not that slow yet

Being a workout warrior doesn't mean anything. And, he could be that slow. it remains to be seen whether or not he's fully healthy.

Now, believe me. I am not advocating things either way right now. But those stupid penalties he took did NOT help the Patriots at all. And, if he can't control himself on the field, how can he be the leader the Pats need him to be?

 

[fgssand]

That scouting report posted by Rob0729 makes him sound like a poor-man's version of Rodney.

More like a Don Davis type....should really help shutting down the run. Big hitter.

 

[spacecrime]

Williams don't get no respect. First he's mistaken for Tank Johnson and then for Hank Williams.

It's worse than that. My favorite songs of his were "Can't get used to losing you" and "Moon River."

 

[DaBruinz]

Rodney is the best safety on this roster, so no I don't anticipate him getting cut. The Pats needed safety depth. A lot of their big plays were given up due to being unable to cover the middle of the field.

I don't even anticipate Meriweather being moved to corner. He probably will get a mix of opportunities in 2008, maybe as a big nickel?

James Sanders is the guy who should be most worried about his job. And Geno Wilson, if we haven't already cut him.

Sanders doesn't need to be worried about his job. He's a solid strong safety who has come in and made plays when called upon.

Also, the Pats didn't CUT Wilson. His contract just ran out. The least you could do is have your facts straight.

 

[BPF]

Rodney is the best safety on this roster, so no I don't anticipate him getting cut. The Pats needed safety depth. A lot of their big plays were given up due to being unable to cover the middle of the field.

I don't even anticipate Meriweather being moved to corner. He probably will get a mix of opportunities in 2008, maybe as a big nickel?

James Sanders is the guy who should be most worried about his job. And Geno Wilson, if we haven't already cut him.

Eugene Wilson is a FA and the Pats told him they will not bring him back. James Sanders has NOTHING to worry about at all, he will be a starter and he is a fast rising player.

 

[FarScapeR]

You'll see him play more against pass happy teams. He's rarely going to be on the field in a 3-4 alignment.