Quinnen Williams: I’m Smarter
March 17th, 2019
One of the easiest things to do leading up to the NFL Draft is to fall in love with a prospect’s interview in the media.
It’s dangerous territory because agents prepare players well, though it is critical for a team to listen to everything a player says and how he says it. Long ago, Joe was told in detail how an eventual Bucs draft bust showed during a face-to-face interview with Tampa Bay that he was a complete moron. And the Bucs still drafted him!
Joe is not big on reading too much into pre-draft interviews. But they can be interesting and revealing when you hear the sincerity — or lack thereof — in a player’s voice.
For example, earlier this year Joe appreciated Florida Atlantic running back Devin Singletary going off script on SiriusXM NFL Radio and saying he felt more like a track athlete than a football player while preparing for the NFL Scouting Combine. It didn’t sound like he enjoyed it. (Meanwhile, Singletary didn’t run the best 40 time and that could drop him in the draft. Joe would love that guy on Day 3 of the draft.)
The interview below caught Joe’s ear, too. It’s manbeast defensive tackle Quinnen Williams out of Alabama on CBS Sports Radio. He’s projected as a top-5 pick.
Somehow, Williams found a humble way to explain what separates him from all the other incredible defensive line talent in this draft is that he’s smarter — football smarter — in addition to all the mentoring he’s gotten from his former Crimson Tide teammates in the NFL.
Man, Joe would be so intrigued to see Williams, Vita Vea and Gerald McCoy each playing two-thirds of the Bucs’ defensive snaps this season in Todd Bowles’ attack-first defense.
Williams also talks about how rushing the passer was always a natural happening for him versus run defense that he had to develop. Enjoy!
March 17th, 2019 at 10:57 am
He’d be a great pick !….
March 17th, 2019 at 10:58 am
Yeah I heard an interview on SiriusXM with the tackle from Alabama. It made me want to draft him. He sounded really smart and hungry to be great. Just came off as a really good kid who will work his butt of to be great. Said he enjoys the challenge of of trying to knock someone to the ground and bury them every play.
March 17th, 2019 at 11:02 am
Willams, Bosa, Allen, love to have any of them ! Please giants trade up get a QB please Raiders do the right thing draft a QB lol
March 17th, 2019 at 11:23 am
We always miss out on” elite” talent which we need to get better…..
Last game/win of the year the meaningless win cost us Quinton Nelson
This year I guess it’s just the bad luck of the draw unless 2 QBs go on the top 5 someone trades up
Or we will be choosing between ..Sweat, Oliver, or White…ehhh good but not a closer to being a lock on being elite as the others
March 17th, 2019 at 11:24 am
This joe approves of Williams. (Logical joe is that you ?)
The other joe does not. I think he said he would throw a beer at the TV if they drafted him.
This kid is special. I would take him in front of Allen . He is up there with bosa who sat out all last year , so question mark with bosa
I think Jets draft Williams though.
March 17th, 2019 at 11:24 am
Just gotta hope some teams LOVE these QBs, so some D-Line players become available.
March 17th, 2019 at 11:25 am
Usually happens Pryda. Need a couple teams to get antsy for their qbs. I think Josh Alllen is gona be special. Whew if we get him. Williams or even Sweat wouldnt hurt my feelings. Otherwise be the team who trades with a qb needy. A couple extra picks would be great after seeing what didnt just happen to the roster. Looks like Bruce is telling us all what most already knew. The problem was coaching. A good draft and this team is gona be ready
March 17th, 2019 at 11:36 am
We will miss out on this kid and others like him.
Dunce Cap Licht will draft some guy at 5 we could have got in the late rounds just because he thinks he’s smarter than everyone else.
March 17th, 2019 at 11:43 am
We probably trade down gain valuable picks only to draft a long snapper from University of South Dakota offensive lineman from Grambling State!
March 17th, 2019 at 11:45 am
He was definitely smart enough to stop talking.
https://deadspin.com/alabama-football-player-stops-himself-from-saying-somet-1831361980
March 17th, 2019 at 11:47 am
Wonder why Bucs have not reached out to safety tre Boston
He is True free safety while Evans and Whitehead you want at line of scrimmage/ to be physical. Buccannon still moneybacker
Dude has around 160 tackles and 8 picks over the last 2 years.
Only last year played for cardinals but some coaches should know him.
Another 1 yr prove it deal for around 3 mil
March 17th, 2019 at 11:48 am
Remember the Universal Law of the NFL Draft…the player you covet is Always taken before your turn to pick….
March 17th, 2019 at 11:48 am
Donald Penn is available again
March 17th, 2019 at 11:53 am
Not that I would not like him as our pick but who was the last great d linemen from Bama? Yeah that’s what I thought, just be careful believing the Bama hype?
March 17th, 2019 at 11:53 am
We never should have gotten rid of Penn but his time has passed.
March 17th, 2019 at 11:57 am
I would be shocked if Q is there at 5…..And, if we did draft him, GMC will be traded….
If the worst we get at 5 is Devin White….then I’ll be very happy…
March 17th, 2019 at 11:57 am
So much already invested in the DL. Pretty sure OT Jonah Williams is the pick.
March 17th, 2019 at 11:59 am
I would absolutely love to get Quinnen Williams. Absolutely would love it. It’s a longshot but if the Cardinals do take Kyler and someone gets horny enough to move up and take a QB, or heck, the Raiders could draft a QB knowing Gruden. Gruden has never met a QB he doesn’t like but ironically, I’m not buying that he is all in with Carr. The other two teams would draft Bosa and either Josh Allen or Quinnen. There’s a chance.
March 17th, 2019 at 12:05 pm
No way would the Bucs keep McCoy if the #5 pick is used on Williams….
If W falls into our lap – its going to be a very tough decision whether to select Williams or Devin White who would almost certainly have more impact as a starting rookie than Williams would…
MLB is obviously the bigger “need”.
Same could be said if Josh Allen drops to #5 assuming White is also still on the board.
March 17th, 2019 at 12:06 pm
Thing about Williams is his heart and attitude…I happened to catch a NFL video on Charles Halley yesterday…guy was a winner !
March 17th, 2019 at 12:21 pm
Unless there’s a Von Miller type d-linemen in this draft…my hope is we get that LB from LSU. He seems like an immediate high impact player.
March 17th, 2019 at 12:22 pm
He will be the next albert haynesworth. I’ll pass. Get Allen or white. Or better trade down.
March 17th, 2019 at 12:27 pm
AlteredEgo Says:
March 17th, 2019 at 12:06 pm
Thing about Williams is his heart and attitude…I happened to catch a NFL video on Charles Halley yesterday…guy was a winner !
I love this comment, yeah Altered so was every other player at Bama. Ha nice observation there bud. Sorry I had to.
March 17th, 2019 at 12:39 pm
Now THIS is a draft pick. This cat Quinnen Williams is who anyone should target at #5 irrespective of current aging roster personnel. Even at #4, maybe Gruden would have more appetite for a restructured GMC in trade at DT with Oakland, allowing us to pounce from #5 to #4 to NAIL DOWN Quinnen. Eases the cap issues there too quite a bit.
March 17th, 2019 at 12:44 pm
Now why would Gruden trade for GMC & his $13 mil when a top rookie DT is on the board…..well, only Gruden would do something like that.
I could see him trading the pick to a QB hungry team….and that would still be just as good for us.
March 17th, 2019 at 12:44 pm
In a hurry to re-sign Dsmith , but Licht brain could not see the Raiders releasing Donald Penn? Horrible lack of vision , and Penn still has alot in the tank and is better than Dsmith will ever be. Licht brain deserves a T-shirt with his picture and DOH below it.
March 17th, 2019 at 12:46 pm
I want to speculate on who the “Complete Moron” was that the Bucs still drafted. I say it was ASJackwagon. Time for another poll Joe’s…lol.
March 17th, 2019 at 12:47 pm
I can see Williams getting drafted and keeping McCoy for this year. Look what happened to Vea last year. Unless we absolutely have to cut him for salary cap reasons. But I would try to move him during the draft.
March 17th, 2019 at 1:00 pm
I heard Jonah Williams on Sirius XM, interviewed during the Blitz on NFL radio. I was so impressed, was almost like just draft him at 5 (not really, but very impressed).
March 17th, 2019 at 1:10 pm
listened to the recent ira podcast. Im really with lee when it comes to the 5th pick. The bucs have to get this right, they can not reach on a linebacker at 5. Everyone remember mark barron? We have to go defensive lineman. That picl has the potential of landing a 10 year generational player on our line. We need to look to JPP’s replacement as well. I cant see him being on the team 2020 with that salary and the mess we are in. It sucks we are going to be on the hook for 20+ mil to an average qb at best so far..
March 17th, 2019 at 1:11 pm
Only 4 players will be taken before the Bucs pick….OL or DL…foundation player no more cherry on top of cake picks please…
March 17th, 2019 at 1:16 pm
The last time we took a Tide player with the first pick it didn’t work out so well. Seemed everyone was onboard at the time because “he’s from Alabama” but later the same armchair GM’s equipped with hindsight roasted the Bucs for the pick. If Quinnen doesn’t work out should Licht be blamed?
March 17th, 2019 at 1:36 pm
“No draft partners this year for the Bucs
NY Giants is not going to draft a QB this year. Reason they traded OBJ is because they want draft picks to surround the 2020 QB.
Gettleman loves the Oregon QB and will wait for him next year. Gettlemen thinks this years QBs suk
90% Devin White
10% Josh Allen
Kobe “1 Buc Mole” Faker
March 17th, 2019 at 1:37 pm
No matter who we draft half this board is going to want to fire licht. It’s just the way this message board works. And 25% of this message message board will be saying he’s going to draft a kicker or long snapper. It’s just the lowbrow mentality in here.
March 17th, 2019 at 1:47 pm
Maybe…just maybe people are tired of The Licht Weight Era. The people who continue to “rubber stamp” his 1 outta 3 winning percentage are puzzling at best.
March 17th, 2019 at 1:51 pm
I think there is a solid chance someone takes Haskins early (Raiders/Giants) and we have a shot at Allen or Williams. . .
March 17th, 2019 at 1:51 pm
SCBuc very true statement.
It can get annoying at times but always remember who we are. We are Buc fans we are a tortured fan base. Negative reactions are very warranted.
March 17th, 2019 at 1:58 pm
Just need Murray to go #1 overall. Once that happens QB needy teams will get desperate.
At that point Haskins aren’t falling far and John Lynch will be getting many offers. Hard to think he doesn’t get an offer he likes and Jets don’t and the Raiders don’t. If Murray does go #1 Qor Bosa or Allen are basically ours……..If he does go #1 it’s borderline foolish to think anybody’s trading for #5 but that’s OK cause then we got Q.
Or Bosa
March 17th, 2019 at 2:01 pm
I really can’t blame fans for expressing negativity and being frustrated….year after year our expectations are high and we are disappointed….
I would say, however that it seems many waste useless posts with ridiculous over-the-top negative comments without offering any suggestions on how to improve other than fire everyone and cut most of the players…..
March 17th, 2019 at 2:02 pm
We could also see the Bucs make a big move for a free agent but it won’t be til post draft cuts or maybe a trade.
It just makes way too much sense that we are keeping McCoy for now to see how the draft unfolds……If we pick up a DT at 5 we then swap McCoy for a player to help our secondary or LB………If we wind up with somebody like White at 5 then we keep McCoy and replace him later………….This plan just makes too much sense.
March 17th, 2019 at 2:08 pm
If McCoy were a FA this board would be asking to cut JPP and use the savings on McCoy
March 17th, 2019 at 2:52 pm
@Joes…………The Dolphins just signed Fitz!!!!!!!!
March 17th, 2019 at 2:53 pm
Theres a mock draft that has us getting Josh Allen in the first risner rt/rg/c in second n Henderson in the third from Memphis played behind Pollard so plenty of tread on his tires. I know film highlights the good plays but kid is strong fast n balanced only lost 2 or 3 balls on almost 500plays (I think it was 492) & he can catch along with be a kick returner. Would love if we got those young men in the first 3 rounds. One can dream but I wouldnt mind devin white either
March 17th, 2019 at 2:55 pm
@Joe … “fall in love with a prospect’s interview in the media”. And yet I’ve never seen an interview tackle anybody or sack a QB. Some (apparently) very intelligent & well-spoken players get exposed quickly when the bullets start flying.
March 17th, 2019 at 2:59 pm
Would be fantastic if he were the Bucs pick
March 17th, 2019 at 2:59 pm
@TampaBayBucFan…
If you were actually READING my post, the one you supposedly commented on, and your eyes were working, you would have seen the word “RESTRUCTURED” written before GMC. Smart guy. 🙂 An $8.5 million GMC annual deal times 3, in exchange for some guarantees, would be very feasible for both GMC and the Raiders. Gets Gruden the VETERAN he prefers to win now, and allows Gruden to get his choice of DE at #5, minus Bosa being off the board.
Next time….READ, then think, then ….talk.
March 17th, 2019 at 2:59 pm
SB
Saw that. Fitz to fins. 2 years 11 mil. He still gets teams to pay him so good for him.
March 17th, 2019 at 3:01 pm
JimmyJack … IF we’re waiting until AFTER the draft to trade GMC like you surmised, then we really are dumb. Most if not all of the other teams will have their DT NEEDS met by that point (via the draft or FAs) so his trade value will be lessened IMO. Plus if your trade partner KNOWS that you have to get rid of a player to squeeze under the salary Cap, sure does seem like your leverage is reduced by quite a bit. I think we’re keeping McCoy because we won’t be drafting a DT in the top rounds. Maybe a DE, but not a DT. Hopefully though it’s MLB DEVIN WHITE with our #5 pick.
March 17th, 2019 at 3:03 pm
And the more of our FAs that sign elsewhere the better chance for comp picks
March 17th, 2019 at 3:03 pm
@SC
Some of us want Licht gone because he took a Defense that was ranked 17th overall (21st in PA) and turned it into the crap show we watched last year. By running off what talent we did have combined with poor decisions in FA and mixed results in the draft resulted in a roster filled with holes… 5 years after he took the job.
March 17th, 2019 at 3:18 pm
@StraightCashHomey … “you would have seen the word “RESTRUCTURED” written before GMC. Smart guy. 🙂 An $8.5 million GMC annual deal times 3, in exchange for some guarantees.” Since GMC’s contract runs through 2021 (3 yrs) and still has $38.4 mil to go, why would he RESTRUCTURE for $25.5 mil? In reality that’s not a restructuring; that’s a renegotiation (i.e., you take $13 mil less and we won’t cut you). You might want to take your own advice.
March 17th, 2019 at 3:21 pm
ManzielMadness … Read this morning that Johnny Football signed with the new league. Guess that’s what happens when the CFL gives you the heave ho..
March 17th, 2019 at 3:29 pm
Chucky is always the wild card because of his unpredictability.
Lot’s of rumors he’s over Carr but I read one mock where they have him picking Drew Lock not Haskins.
March 17th, 2019 at 3:38 pm
@DR
LOL yeah how many chances can a kid get? The money and fame went straight to his head…
March 17th, 2019 at 3:39 pm
Fitzpatrick signs with the Dolphins.
March 17th, 2019 at 3:44 pm
Devin White, why?
McCaffrey, Kamara/Murray, Freeman/Hill
Simple as that, a LB that can go sideline to sideline, fast.
Take away those teams safety valve
March 17th, 2019 at 3:51 pm
Hey….IDIOT BOY @DR…
Listen up moron. The $38 million you allude to is …wait for it….NON-GUARANTEED…imbecile. Not only was GMC NOT ever ggoing to see the full remaining amount of the contract WHEN WRITTEN…because, the $$ was structured to go…wait fir it…NON-GUARANTEED in those later age 32-34 years, cause…wait for it…he was never going to see that money as originally written.
I said the restructure and ur word “renegotiation” which BTW is in every (take less money cuz ur old for lesser but guaranteed $$$ and future years roster spot) stuff….is a PRACTICAL reality, and GMC will need tjose at 33 and 34.
Remember gang, many of you have been repeatedly beat down before, under different sign-ins, or “handles”. Don’t be foolishly misled, and subsequently mouth off, thinking some opinion posted, or handle…is new 🙂
#differentleopardsamespots
March 17th, 2019 at 3:51 pm
straightcashhomey
I read your post perfectly well……and I still ask why Gruden would prefer even a restructured $8.5 mil guaranteed 32 year old GMC for 3 years when a top 21 year old on a rookie contract is available when he picks.
Now, if your scenario included us giving up a pick (3rd round)….then perhaps
And, furthermore if GMC would restructure to $8.5 mil……we would likely keep him and pick another player at 5 and would have no desire to move up to replace him.
March 17th, 2019 at 4:18 pm
Devin White can have the type of an impact on a defense like Derrick Brooks did. Quinnen can have the type of impact that Sapp had for us. Even though the defense will likely change to more of a base 3-4, the impact from either player can be as great. If both are on the board, Quinnen is my pick. I just don’t see Quinnen getting by the Jets. I could see our pick coming down to Devin White or Josh Allen. That would be a tough one. I’d go with Allen. White is 3rd on my list. If both Allen and Quinnen come off the board, I would like to trade down about 3 spots and get White.
March 17th, 2019 at 4:20 pm
Stay at #5 and pic Devin white! Please
March 17th, 2019 at 4:25 pm
Defense Rules. That plan is set in place to maximize our draft
Your getting about a 4th rounder for McCoy. Hurting that value doesn’t hurt much.
And your not definitely trading McCoy. It only depends how the draft shakes out. You take absolute best player avialable and if that pick makes McCoy expendable you get him off the books and upgrade another position group. This gives us the best team possible moving forward.
Trading Gerald now pigeonholes you draft. Hding him for now gives you best possible team in 2019. If you going to worry about his trade value and worry more about a 5th/4th round at you are letting nickles hold up dollars.
Totally disagree it’s stupid to trade him later. Exact opposite from my perspective.
March 17th, 2019 at 4:26 pm
We need the draft picks with our cap problems….and if we could get additional picks with trades (GMC) (BRATE)…..I’m in…….so, I’m not liking trading up for any player and giving up picks.
March 17th, 2019 at 4:27 pm
Shorter version if you are taking a lesser player at #5 because you created a hole by trading McCoy you just hurt your team.
Getting a 5th in a trade rather then a 4th doesn’t hurt much at all.
March 17th, 2019 at 4:33 pm
straightcashhomey
Furthermore, your restructured GMC would have to happen in the 15 minute period on draft night when the Bucs want to trade to Oakland to move up to 4 to get Quinnen……now, I presume that GMC would have to agree to a restructure or Oakland would simply be taking their chances he would…
I just don’t think it works.
March 17th, 2019 at 4:33 pm
Not sold on LB Devin White. At all.
There is video on youtube of him getting abused by Quenton Nelson in a Bowl game a little over a year ago. Nelson met him at goal line and drove him 10 yards deep into the EZ and pancaked his ass thru the turf. He looked like a chump. Way overrated. The Bucs don’t need that.
I would go DL or DB over LB. If Q Williams is there ,that is a no-brainer pick.
March 17th, 2019 at 4:49 pm
I have set up a NCAA Tournament challenge if anyone wants to join.
http://fantasy.espn.com/tournament-challenge-bracket/2019/en/group?groupID=2905220
March 17th, 2019 at 5:12 pm
I think the only reason to trade GMC is if…..
1. He refuses to restructure
2. We get an equal but less expensive younger player to replace him (unlikely)
3. We are luck enough to draft Quinnen Williams
I do think GMC will restructure……for guaranteed but less total dollars….but it will need to be reasonable for both parties….
My suggestion would be $10 for 2 years guaranteed….or $9 for 3 years guaranteed…..we may not get either but that would be a good deal for both IMO.
There are players playing well up into their 30s….GMC may end up being one of them.
Most reasonable Buc fans would keep GMC at a lower price. (cue Tmax)
March 17th, 2019 at 6:00 pm
@Tbbf…says…
“I just don’t think it works”. Nobody cares dude, nobody cares, if you “think it works”.
Newsflash, contract parameters for all players on all teams in ALL drafts are already done, PRIOR TO DRAFT NIGHT! Why, you may ask, cause the players are already under contract with the team that is about to trade them, and they can talk to their agent….ANYTIME. Your “15 minute” principle on the clock is foolish, agent already aware.
You ALL….out here, as continuously proven out here, have gotta get smarter. Gotta.
March 17th, 2019 at 6:10 pm
My 1st choice. Q Williams If he is not there, I like a draft like this:
round 1: Montez Sweat Edge – I Like getting the edge rusher here. No chance of an edge rusher in the 2nd or 3rd round but plenty of linebacker choices. Linebackers are not valued as much as Edge guys.
round 2: Mack Wilson LB
round 3: Rock Ya-Sin CB – or another corner
round 4: David Long LB – or interior OL, or Safety not sure where the bucs see the most need.
round 5: Damien Harris RB – Look I think we should wait. RB’s are not valued and there are some good but not great choices.
round 6: Mitch Hyatt OT
round 7: Hunter Renfroe WR, or Cody Thompson WR
March 17th, 2019 at 7:03 pm
Well,well,well, look who’s hiding behind a new witty little handle!
True colors!
We’d be lucky to get Q. At #5, they better not screw this up.
March 17th, 2019 at 7:43 pm
@TBBF
You know normally I’m the trade down guy here but if Allen falls to us at 5th I would seriously be tempted to take him and then trade picks and players to move up and get White. I’ve seen him mocked everywhere from a high of 8th to a low of 17th.
If he’s on the board at 10 I gotta try and make a move. Yeah we give up raw numbers but we’d immediately have TWO impact players for our D.
March 17th, 2019 at 7:48 pm
Ok, we’re on the clock at 5….Q., Allen, and White are there….thats a good problem to have.
I’d say Allen, then White, then Q (since we still have GMC)
March 17th, 2019 at 7:53 pm
@TB22, first off, thats Q. Nelson so duh, 2nd, he’s only been playing at that position for 3 years, 2 years at the time you watched Nelson pancake him. He’s still learning the position plus growing and getting stronger. But if you’re not sold on him, thats cool, your opinion.
March 17th, 2019 at 10:09 pm
@ St. Pete
If Allen is there at 5, I’m taking him and trying to get a MLB later……but to try to trade back uo to get Devin White will be very expensive…..like a next year’s first and this year’s 2nd…..too much.
March 18th, 2019 at 11:58 am
Allen, Sweat, Williams… one will be there and hopefully one will be a Buc.