According to many news sources, the Atlanta Falcons this past Tuesday, June 17, released safety Jimmy Williams.
Ever since Williams was drafted by the Falcons in the second round of the 2006 draft, Williams had not been able to catch on with the team. Williams seemed to be another Virginia Tech product that found himself on the wrong side of the Falcons front office. At the beginning of 2008 minicamp and Organized Team Activities, he arrived 20 pounds overweight. Not a good impression for new coaching regime. He also missed two voluntary practices that were never really explained. Yes, they were voluntary, but you want to give a good impression for a new coaching staff and also new front office. At the time, Williams selection in the draft seemed like a good choice since the Falcons didn't have a first round pick due to the acquisition of defensive end John Abraham from the New York Jets. But maybe the talented college prospect just could not play with the big boys of the NFL. Or maybe he could and just could not catch a break to find himself on the field. But in any regard, he is not an Atlanta Falcon anymore. Maybe he can go play alongside college and NFL teammate cornerback DeAngelo Hall in Oakland. He could also land with the Seattle Seahawks and with coach Jim Mora, who drafted Williams when Mora was Falcons head coach. But again, head coach Mike Holmgren still runs the show in Seattle.
Ever since Williams was drafted by the Falcons in the second round of the 2006 draft, Williams had not been able to catch on with the team. Williams seemed to be another Virginia Tech product that found himself on the wrong side of the Falcons front office. At the beginning of 2008 minicamp and Organized Team Activities, he arrived 20 pounds overweight. Not a good impression for new coaching regime. He also missed two voluntary practices that were never really explained. Yes, they were voluntary, but you want to give a good impression for a new coaching staff and also new front office. At the time, Williams selection in the draft seemed like a good choice since the Falcons didn't have a first round pick due to the acquisition of defensive end John Abraham from the New York Jets. But maybe the talented college prospect just could not play with the big boys of the NFL. Or maybe he could and just could not catch a break to find himself on the field. But in any regard, he is not an Atlanta Falcon anymore. Maybe he can go play alongside college and NFL teammate cornerback DeAngelo Hall in Oakland. He could also land with the Seattle Seahawks and with coach Jim Mora, who drafted Williams when Mora was Falcons head coach. But again, head coach Mike Holmgren still runs the show in Seattle.
The Falcons new front office and new coaching staff are not going to put up with the mess that the old regime dealt with. Owner Arthur Blank probably realizes by now he made a mistake by firing then coach Dan Reeves. The team went down hill with Mora and his friendly coaching style. I am not even going to touch the subject of Bobby Petrino. Blank finally got it correct with the hiring of former Jacksonville Jaguars defensive coordinator Mike Smith. Smith is putting a real football team together that actually wants to play football, and not give the impression that they want to play. I know it will take a few years to get a quality team on the field, and I can't wait to see this team play for years to come. I know this 2008 season will not be a playoff team, but if I see some effort and improvement, that is good enough for me.
Keywords: Atlanta Falcons, NFL
