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| Williams had 65 catches in 2010. (US PRESSWIRE) |
Mike Williams, taken 10th overall by the Lions in the 2005 NFL Draft and who had revitalized his career with the Seahawks in recent seasons, was released Friday, the team announced.
“We would like to thank Mike for his contributions over the past two seasons and we wish him well in the future,” general manager John Schneider said in a statement.
Williams was one of four wide receivers former Lions president Matt Millen drafted in the first round (Charles Rogers in '03, Roy Williams in '04, Williams in '05 and Calvin Johnson in '07). The former USC standout started just six games in two years in Detroit, totaling 37 receptions for 337 yards and two touchdowns.
After unsuccessful stops in Oakland and Tennessee in 2007, Williams was out of football until 2010 when Seattle coach Pete Carroll -- who happened to also be Williams' college coach -- gave him an opportunity. Williams responded with a 65-catch effort in his first year with the Seahawks although he managed just 18 receptions during an '11 season cut short by injuries.
In two years in the Pacific Northwest, Williams started 23 of 26 games, caught 83 passes for 987 yards and five touchdowns.
The move signals that the Seahawks are comfortable heading into the season with (a finally healthy) Sidney Rice, Doug Baldwin and Golden Tate as the team's best wideouts, as well as recently acquired tight end Kellen Winslow. As for Williams, he beat the odds once after a dreadful start to his career. If he can prove that he can stay healthy, it's reasonable to think that he'll get a chance to catch on with another NFL team. Our money's on the Patriots, who will no doubt move Williams to a tight end in an effort to corner the market on the position.
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