Jimmy Williams passes up workout

By D. ORLANDO LEDBETTER
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 04/16/08

Flowery Branch — Falcons safety Jimmy Williams, a second-round draft pick in 2006 who has yet to break into the starting lineup, elected not to attend the second day of the team's optional minicamp practice Tuesday.

"Jimmy was not here today and, of course, these [practices] are optional," Falcons coach Mike Smith said. "This is not a mandatory one."

Smith said the staff was aware that Williams would not attend. He was the only player under contract not in attendance. Calls to Williams' cellphone were not returned.

Williams played cornerback as a rookie. Last season, he was moved to safety and lost out to Chris Crocker for the starting free safety job.

Erik Coleman, a free-agent signee, lined up beside Lawyer Milloy at free safety with the No. 1 unit Tuesday.

Last season, Williams was moved to special teams, but after playing poorly, was inactive for two December games.

Draft prospects watch practice

Draft prospect Jeff Otah, a 6-foot-6, 322-pound offensive tackle from Pittsburgh, and Arkansas safety Tyrell Johnson attended practice. Otah is considered one of the top tackles in the draft behind Michigan's Jake Long. Johnson, 6-0, 207, is the No. 1-rated strong safety in the draft by NFLDraftScout.com.

Kansas cornerback Aqib Talib is scheduled to visit later this week.

Lewis hopes for quick return

Promising defensive tackle Trey Lewis, who reinjured his surgically repaired left knee walking down stairs at his home, is hoping to return by the end of training camp.

"I'm hoping and praying that I can get back out here this year," Lewis said. "All I can do is rehab. Hopefully, late camp or right after camp. This probably set it back a month or two after the second surgery."

Weems catches coaches' eye

Wide receiver Eric Weems, who spent most of last season on the practice squad, made a spectacular catch during drills.

"We ran him on an out-and-up, and the ball was out in front of him," receivers coach Terry Robiskie said. "He dove out there and made an excellent catch. He's very quick and explosive off the ball. He's doing some good stuff."

Wide receivers not a weakness

The wide receivers, once considered a sore spot, now look like a team strength with the development of Roddy White and Laurent Robinson and with veterans Joe Horn and Michael Jenkins. The group could receive a boost from Brian Finneran's return from injury.

Robiskie has pushed them hard and kept them for an extra session after practice. "You've got to test them, see what they know and what they don't know," Robiskie said. "It was good for me to get out with them and see how few mental mistakes they make. They picked it up pretty good. We threw everything at them and got them rolling."

It's not like he was playing anyway. Jimmy Williams sucks.

With a capital suck.

If he showed a lot of effort he could have been good. But with him passing up the workaround it looks like more of the same...

MeAngelo probably promised to get him a roster spot with the Raiders... :D

Someone on the OMB posted a pic of them with Jimmy Williams. You could see from his eyes that he was higher than a kite. Once he got his big paycheck he decided to kick it back and have fun instead of becoming a better football player. Those kind of players are a cancer and we need to get rid of him. Hopefully via trade...

damn. :huh:

I hope we never draft another Hokie ever..

they just seem to cause shit in ATL

Trade, Who the heck would give anything for Jimmy?

6th rounder? :unsure:

There are 0 prospects that I'd like to see the Falcons draft from that team anyway. I'm fine with staying away from them for a while until their culture changes.

We said the same thing about Bryan Scott...which is exactly who Jimmy Williams reminds me of...so, trade him to the Saints. Their secondary sucks anyways, and I'm sure that they'd jump at the chance to get another former Falcon DB there... 8DRTV75 :P

Hokies >>>>

Yeah, I'll give you that. nr6