Jaguars Draft Pick Signed: Thomas Williams is official!
by silencecs on Jul 11, 2008 11:16 AM EDT
17 comments
[Note by River City Rage, 07/11/08 1:51 PM EDT ] Thanks again to RobbC at JagNation for posting this!
JagNation is reporting that Thomas Williams has signed a 5 year deal that included a signing bonus.
RobbC got it up on the Fanpost before I even knew about it, great job bro... This site has a great readership and I want to say thanks to all of you for being so active, it makes the site that much better for everyone.
JagNation.com has confirmed that the Jacksonville Jaguars have signed fifth-round pick Thomas Williams to a four-year deal.
The former USC outside linebacker will receive the following base salaries: (2008) $295,000 (2009) $385,000 (2010) $470,000 (2011) $555,000 along with a signing bonus of around $174,000.
The undersized Williams will likely compete for playing time on the weak-side.
Williams is the second of Jacksonville's 2008 draft class to sign a contract.
In my opinion this is just another rookie signing. He still may not make the team, but the guaranteed signing bonus should give him an ever so slight boost. He'll clearly be a special teams guy first, but his versatility is his true value. He comes in having already been cross-trained in all three linebacker positions, that's a rarity in college. USC has also been a linebacker manufacturing company for years now, so being a back-up there isn't half-bad. He's clearly humble and stayed to learn as much as he could from the much heralded USC coaching staff rather than transferring to another school to start. He may turn out to be a steal, but for now, he's just a rookie.
-Collin
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Collin, where did you say you played?? I don’t think the signing bonus or any amount of money will make Thomas play any harder than he has 5 years with out a dime. You are right in one thing, he could have made alot of other choices and started at many other schools, but I don’t think he would trade friends or rings or coaches for anywhere USA. Lets see what he does as this so called back up first before we cut him.
by usc41 on Jul 11, 2008 10:45 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
????????
I have no idea how you got that from what I wrote, but whatever. He’s got money now… fottball is his job and he’s been paid, so he damn well better play harder than he did in college!
I actually said that I think he’s versatile and brings intangibles most rookies don’t have, not that we should cut him. I guess I should expect as much from a USC alumni though, as althletics is clearly the school’s focus. ;)
-Collin
by silencecs on Jul 12, 2008 12:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
9 players drafted, must be hard to swollow!!! you must be a Bruin!!!!
by usc41 on Jul 12, 2008 7:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm actually in the doctoral program at NOVA Southeastern University...
My B.A. was conferred from USF in Tampa though.
-Collin
by silencecs on Jul 12, 2008 9:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
USC41
What he meant by boost is that it might give him the boost or leverage to beat someone else out of a roster spot, not that the money will motivate him. Basically what is said here is that the money is now invested in Williams, and teams don’t like to throw money away.
by Ewdtrey on Jul 12, 2008 3:51 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
How many LB's will the team keep?
We know four LB’s that automatically will make the team, how many more will the team keep? Brian Iwuh played good ST’s last season! I’m guessing five LB’s off the top of my head. Is this number about correct?
by keef on Jul 12, 2008 10:05 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Collin let’s not get into bashing one of the most sucessful programs in the nation. You fail to mention what farm town your from!!! Work harder!!! are you serious??? You have never seen him play is all I can say. I guess for now we are on the same team and I would like to chat with you about the Jags and not argue about things we can’t control. Lets just call it as we see it and wish all the Rookies a great camp and nothing but the best in the NFL. As for your EWDTREY trying to defend you, Fight your own battles and let the team decide if their throwing away money as you say. Nice observation You think???
FIGHT ON USC
by usc41 on Jul 12, 2008 7:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I really like USC and have a great deal of respcet for their coaching staff, which is why I praised them in the article.
I actually said I think that Williams has a good chance to make the roster because of his versatility. The guy can play all three positions coming into the NFL. Most college LB’s don’t have that advantage. Keep in mind we haven’t seen him in Camp yet so no-pads yet, but we’ll find out if he’s Jaguar material soon enough.
-You’re right that such a small signing bonus won’t guarentee him a spot, and I’m sorry if I conveyed that. My point was that football is nolonger something he does at college… It is his CAREER, and he better take it more seriously than he did in college. That goes for ALL ROOKIES (here’s lookin at you Harvey and Groves). Everything is harder about the NFL (the playbook alone is going to be 4 times as big as his college one), and they had better step their game up if they want to be in the NFL for the forseeable future.
-By the way, just pulling your leg about the USC grad thing, it’s a great school for both academics and althletics, I just wanted to retort your sarcastic comment with one of my own… No hard feelings , Bro!
-Collin Go TROJANS! ;)
by silencecs on Jul 12, 2008 9:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Retort accepted !!! No hard feelings, Bro!
I think when you see him hit in pads, you’ll understand and see why he was voted Special Teams Capt. and Most inspirational player at SC. By the way, what part of the USA you call home?
I promise to keep it clean from now on!!!
by usc41 on Jul 13, 2008 12:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
No Sweat... Davie Fl is where I live
Its basically a college town in south Florida. Maybe 40 minutes from downtown Ft. Lauderdale.
-Collin
Do you know him (Williams) personally by any chance? The reason I ask is that maybe you could do an interview with him for us. Or maybe any of the USC coaching staff who could comment on either of our 2 USC draftees? I know’s it is probably a long shot but I thought I’d ask.
by silencecs on Jul 13, 2008 12:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yo, none of us HATE USC
Collin made his point quite clear.
Williams as a good shot. We recognize his role on USC, the number 4 LB behind three likely first round draft picks is better than 85% of linebackers in the draft.
What I’d like to know is how he did on Special Teams at USC, if he played in that role. No matter what school you came from, Linebackers in the NFL get their start on special teams. If he can prove his worth as a gunner, he’ll make the final roster.
-Chris
Big Cat Country!:: The Official Home of the Unofficial Blog of the Jacksonville Jaguars!
by River City Rage on Jul 13, 2008 2:27 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I will ask my brother for you about doing a interview. Right now I don’t want to bother him until he gets settled. They will be down there if he makes the team. Which we all pray happens. I live in Las Vegas and love college ball more than the NFL!! I hope watching the Jags changes that!!!
by usc41 on Jul 13, 2008 10:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Your Brother?
We’re rooting for Williams, don’t get me wrong.
In fact, as a sneak peek for an article I’m writing for later next week, here is my “predicted 53 man roster” at linebacker.
Mike Peterson
Justin Durant
Daryl Smith
Clint Ingram
Thomas Williams
Brian Iwuh
If we carry seven, add Hawkins.
-Chris
Big Cat Country!:: The Official Home of the Unofficial Blog of the Jacksonville Jaguars!
by River City Rage on Jul 13, 2008 10:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yo
Chris, Thomas is a hitter….......................... He started every year on all special teams and flat out loves to hit somebody. As I said earlier he was voted Co Capt and most inspirational Player. He wears this war paint and believe me it looks AWESOME on him. I’m sure you will get to see it soon. He is also one of the nicest guys you will ever meet.
I hope you get that chance someday.
by usc41 on Jul 13, 2008 10:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Chris, who do you write for? Where do you live? I'm in Lost Wages NV.
by usc41 on Jul 13, 2008 10:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I write for Big Cat Country:: The Official Home of the Unoffical Blog of the Jacksonville Jaguars
One might say that I’m the founder and proprietor of this fine site, though I argue that it belongs to the fans.
BCC was born three years ago (technically august, but whatever) as one of the only “unofficial” sites about the Jacksonville Jaguars. We’ve been featured on FoxSports, ProFootballTalk, Deadspin, KSK, and Sports Illustrated.
My location varies from South Florida, Southwest Missouri, and places inbetween. I grew up in Jacksonville and DeLand Florida, Graduated from College about 180 Miles south of Jacksonville.
Nice to meet you!
-Chris
Big Cat Country!:: The Official Home of the Unofficial Blog of the Jacksonville Jaguars!
by River City Rage on Jul 13, 2008 11:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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