The Case For Reggie Williams

Most of you are aware by now that wide receiver Reggie Williams will be trying out with the Seattle Seahawks in an upcoming minicamp. I’m all for second chances – especially with a local athlete – and wish Reggie the best of luck.

This try-out was reported earlier on 12th Man Rising by Andrew Auger, who seemed somewhat hesitant about the deal and referred to it as “dumpster diving.” As a WSU student, I’m guessing Andy could be a little bitter about Reggie Williams. I’m sure he remembers Williams catching 30 balls for 431 yards in three games against the Cougars.

Sorry, Andy. As Washington alumni, it was a shot worth taking.

This isn’t the first time I’ve been a proponent of Reggie Williams returning to Seattle (if he isn’t an idiot off the field). If Williams proves he can still play, he would be an excellent addition; if he can stay out of trouble, his return to the National Football League in Seattle could be beneficial to both parties.

Reggie Williams is a low-risk, high-reward player.
As a former first-round pick who never developed at the professional level, Williams can be acquired for nothing. He hasn’t played in an NFL game since 2008, but some poor off-field decisions are mostly responsible for that. If he doesn’t make the team, nothing is lost and the Seahawks move on without him.

If Williams is still capable of playing, however, he could help the Seattle Seahawks as a fourth or fifth wide receiver on the depth chart. Expectations are low. Williams doesn’t have to come in and make the Pro Bowl, but the potential could still be there in the future.

Either way, I wouldn’t mind having a 6-foot-4 wide receiver with excellent ball skills on the active roster.

The Seattle Seahawks have a brand new group of talent evaluators and coaches.
Reggie Williams returns to Seattle with a new coaching staff and front office, which makes a second chance in the NFL much more likely. Under the new regime, the Seahawks are searching for new players and a new identity; if Williams plays his cards right, he could be a part of Seattle’s future.

No job on the roster is safe with so many new talent evaluators, and Williams has an opportunity to impress.

Pete Carroll knows what Williams is capable of doing.
Pete Carroll is from the Pac-10 and should be well-aware of Williams’ unique skills that made him a top-ten pick in the 2004 NFL Draft. In three games against Carroll’s Trojans, Williams recorded 21 catches for 350 yards and three touchdowns.

Having a coach who is familiar with Williams’ talent could help him excel in the offensive system, if he proves he can still play at an elite level.

Williams is from the Northwest and is well-known in Seattle.
Reggie Williams was not only a stand-out player at the University of Washington, but also at Lakes High School in Lakewood before that. Lakes is a local high school powerhouse that annually sends players to Division-I schools and Williams was well-known around Seattle long before he was one of the best wide receivers in the Pac-10.

Williams ranks second on the Pac-10’s all-time receiving lists with 243 receptions and 3,598 receiving yards. He holds Washington’s career records for receiving yards, receiving yards per game and receptions. And he declared for the NFL Draft following his junior season at UW.

Huskies will love to see Reggie Williams find success again in Seattle. Cougars, although bitter, should love to finally have Williams on their side.

Hopefully Reggie can recapture history and finally show up in the National Football League.

Shaun Dolence: dolencesm@gmail.com
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