Why Williams hasn't signed

by mercury22nathan Thu May 04, 2017 9:54 am

Williams is not part of the voluntary program so far because he hasn’t signed his restricted free agent tender with the team. And why hasn’t he?

Money.

Damien Williams wants more money. Simple as that.

Per a league source familiar with Williams’s thinking, the running back was initially hoping to garner enough interest in restricted free agency that someone might offer him a contract the Dolphins would either have to match or let him go. Although he visited the New England Patriots, that team instead signed former Dolphins and Buffalo Bills running back Mike Gillislee to a two-year, $6.4 million deal.

Williams would love that kind of deal.

Except the Patriots picked Gillislee over him. And the period during which players can sign restricted free agency deals with other teams has passed. So it’s the Dolphins or nothing for Williams.

That has left Williams, 25, asking the Dolphins for a raise. More accurately, Williams is asking the Dolphins for a bigger raise than the team has already agreed to give him.

The Dolphins, you see, offered Williams an original-round tender to keep his rights. In terms of money that means the team offered to pay the backup running back $1.8 million this season -- a significant raise from the $600,000 Williams made last season.

But Williams, considering his 2016 contributions which included six touchdowns, and multiple explosive plays, believes he should get more. So he has not signed the $1.8 million tender. And he is one of only a couple of players who has not participated in the voluntary program.

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/armando-salguero/article148328724.html

i don't begrudge Williams' desire to make more money, but he had his chance and no teams were willing to pony up the kind of offer he wanted. but for a guy who has shown up out of shape in the past - and is supposedly seen as "a favorite of some coaches who love the tone he sets in the locker room, meeting room, and on the field," i kind of think its time for him to accept his fate and commit himself to the Phins. oh, and then there's this...

...the Dolphins are looking to Kenyan Drake, a rookie a year ago, to be more involved on third down this year and have his role expanded.

by **JMP** Thu May 04, 2017 10:25 am

If Drake proves that he can pass protect even a little, Williams becomes a rarely-used third stringer in this offense. He's already the highest-paid RB on the team at the $1.8 million tender, and he'll be the least used RB on the team too. There's absolutely no reason for the Phins to give him more money. He needs to play as well as he can this season and hope for a bigger payday (from another team) when he hits unrestricted free agency next year.

by scotgif Thu May 04, 2017 11:46 am

I liked him when he first came up, and yes, he did have a good year and some big plays last year, but I just do not see him getting paid like he thinks he should. I also remember some extremely poor judgement/execution plays in the return game from him, which hurt us big time.

Wouldn't be against bringing him back, but if we can get more out of Drake and one or two of the UDFA's (Smith, Storm Johnson) exhibit talent, then bye Felicia.

by Umix10 Thu May 04, 2017 2:12 pm

Beating a dead horse. Williams lacks leverage. When Drake was drafted that was the first sign. When Drake scored a Kick Return game winning TD. The Second Sign. RB are not at premium anymore. Especially when they are 2nd or 3rd on the depth chart. Third sign. No one offering him a contract. Fourth sign.

Is waiting for Jesus to come down or something. I don't get it. We should have kept Darkwa.

by Birdmond Thu May 04, 2017 2:46 pm

I like our undrafted rookie out of Michigan better than Williams anyway.

by **JMP** Thu May 04, 2017 3:27 pm

Birdmond wrote:I like our undrafted rookie out of Michigan better than Williams anyway.

De’Veon Smith is kind of a limited back...I think Williams offers more as a receiver and an all-purpose back with big-play potential. But Smith may be a help in short yardage. I don't think Williams is anything special, but he's a nice handcuff on this roster for Ajayi in case of injury.

by finfanatic Fri May 05, 2017 12:56 pm

The fact the Pats went for Gillislee over Williams should really put some cooling ointment on the butt-hurt IMHO!!

Take the 1.8 mill and HOPE you get a chance to show enough this year that you can entice somebody to pay you that much next season, cause I doubt the Phins will want your pouting are back next season....assuming Drake shows any ability to be the all around 3rd down back Gase wants.

by **JMP** Fri May 05, 2017 1:01 pm

Gillislee really jumped to a new level with Buffalo...he was a big-play beast for them. He's a perfect fit for the Patriots - really an excellent trade for them. Unfortunately for the Phins.

by mercury22nathan Fri May 12, 2017 7:50 am

Williams comes to his senses and signs.

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nfl/miami-dolphins/article150004272.html

by DolFan 316 Fri May 12, 2017 9:52 am

mercury22nathan wrote:Williams comes to his senses and signs.

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nfl/miami-dolphins/article150004272.html

THANK YOU!!! cheers

I thought that maybe everybody else had gone to a new place without telling me, or maybe there was some sort of virus preventing everyone except me from accessing the site.

Also, I suddenly hope Williams gets beaten out of a job by this undrafted guy or someone else maybe. Uppity behavior really rubs me the wrong way. What exactly did he do again that was so special? Dude is basically Daniel Thomas Part Deux with slightly better receiving ability.

by white1 Fri May 12, 2017 10:12 am

I like Williams seemingly more than most. But even to me, the payment Williams was seeking makes little sense.

Not only do we have a pro bowl caliber back cheap in Ajayi. We also have his backup Drake positioned well and arguable with a better fit skill set for the Gase offense.

How much would the team REALLY invest in its THIRD string running back? That's typically where your UDFA, and below the radar prospects come in.

Given Ajayi and Drake are both on rookie contracts, it gives us the luxury of paying Williams 1.8 million this season as an RFA. But no more, and not long term. Now, he also serves as insurance in case Ajayi/Drake have a poor season or suffer a significant injury. But if 2017 looks like 2016 from the running back perspective, Williams is not on this roster next year.

by **JMP** Fri May 12, 2017 3:21 pm

Williams is a decent role player, nothing more. And his role will decrease as Drake's increases. So yeah, this is going to be the final season in Miami for Williams. Good for him...a #3 back making more money than the #1 and #2 - good work if you can get it!

by DolFan 316 Fri May 12, 2017 5:06 pm

JMP IS BACK!!! YOU REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'VE GOT UNTIL IT'S GONE!!!

Also, don't be shocked if this is the final season for Bushrod and Pouncey as well. Which means yet more drafting of O-lineman next year (sighs).

by **JMP** Fri May 12, 2017 6:46 pm

LOL It's a slow time of year in the NFL. But I still check the board every day.

And yes, the OL is not finished yet. Need long-term solutions at center and at least one guard spot, and maybe (hopefully) RT if the Phins don't bring James back after 2018.

Not like I'm going out on a limb here, but I think Pouncey (obviously) and Bushrod will each miss a bunch of games this season, and the interior OL will once again suck.

by Degarmo Sat May 13, 2017 5:50 am

DolFan 316 wrote:JMP IS BACK!!! YOU REALLY DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'VE GOT UNTIL IT'S GONE!!!

Also, don't be shocked if this is the final season for Bushrod and Pouncey as well. Which means yet more drafting of O-lineman next year (sighs).

We should have addressed that this year, because I don't see Pouncey playing a season. I think he's got 8 good games in him and then he's done.

Basically what JMP said right above me Smile

by white1 Sat May 13, 2017 9:34 am

I do kind of like the way the draft went for us, of course, assuming the players we selected work out.

Asiata is a starting caliber talent, and we got him in the 5th due to some knee concern. Good move. If he gives us even a few years, he will provide us time to shore up other spots.

DE, LB, and CB first three picks, I think that was a good approach and the board fell well for us.

by **JMP** Sun May 14, 2017 9:17 am

white1 wrote:
DE, LB, and CB first three picks, I think that was a good approach and the board fell well for us.

I'm happy with the positions they selected in the first 3 rounds - I just think there were better players available at each pick. Those three guys are all very one-dimensional at this stage, and I'm not sure any of them will ever become full-time, every-down starters. At least they will all contribute - that's a plus.

by Degarmo Mon May 15, 2017 6:43 am

The draft is supposed to be about finding starters. Post-draft free agency is about finding role players, etc.

I will reserve judgment on these guys until I see them play, and I hope they are legit and all become superstars. My initial thoughts are similar to JMP's though. I mean, hell, it's way too early to tell, and I can't judge an Ohio State LB on his pass coverage skills in the defense that they run, so, we'll see. I hope each one of these guys ends up in the Hall.

For now I have hope Smile

by Birdmond Mon May 15, 2017 6:58 am

Degarmo wrote:The draft is supposed to be about finding starters. Post-draft free agency is about finding role players, etc.

I will reserve judgment on these guys until I see them play, and I hope they are legit and all become superstars. My initial thoughts are similar to JMP's though. I mean, hell, it's way too early to tell, and I can't judge an Ohio State LB on his pass coverage skills in the defense that they run, so, we'll see. I hope each one of these guys ends up in the Hall.

For now I have hope

It's difficult to judge any Big Ten LB. against the pass because only two teams, Michigan and Indiana, throw to TE's and RB's.

by **JMP** Mon May 15, 2017 8:28 am

I'm assuming McMillan will play SAM for the Phins for the first two years of his career, while Timmons is at MLB. The Phins don't use a SAM when they're in the nickle, which is over 70% of the time, so it's likley that McMillan won't be in many pass situations early on. He's stout against the run, but smart teams can run play-action and specific formations to get McMillan isolated on a RB or TE - and we'll find out quickly how he handles it. It will likely be ugly at first (and Timmons is shaky against the pass too) - but hopefully he can develop.

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