Breaking: Bears Will Sign WR Roy Williams
Editor’s note: Thanks to @tweezybaby for pointing out the error with the previous picture in the post. That’s what we get for doing this stuff at 6AM before the coffee has taken effect. #Epicfail
ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting that the Bears will sign former Cowboys wide receiver Roy Williams:
"An agreement: Chicago is reuniting former Cowboys WR Roy Williams w/ Bears OC Mike Martz, who helped coach Williams to Pro Bowl in Detroit."
When rumors of this deal started bubbling up when the Cowboys cut Williams earlier this week, I have to admit I wasn’t thrilled but my position on this has changed.
First of all, as Schefty points out in his tweet, Roy Williams has been very productive under Martz. He had his only Pro Bowl season under Martz. In fact, it was far and away his best season:
| G | GS | Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | ||
| 2010 | Dallas Cowboys | 15 | 9 | 37 | 530 | 14.3 | 63T | 5 |
| 2009 | Dallas Cowboys | 15 | 13 | 38 | 596 | 15.7 | 66T | 7 |
| 2008 | Dallas Cowboys | 10 | 7 | 19 | 198 | 10.4 | 38 | 1 |
| 2008 | Detroit Lions | 5 | 4 | 17 | 232 | 13.6 | 25 | 1 |
| 2007 | Detroit Lions | 12 | 12 | 64 | 838 | 13.1 | 91T | 5 |
| 2006* | Detroit Lions | 16 | 16 | 82 | 1,310 | 16 | 60T | 7 |
| 2005 | Detroit Lions | 13 | 12 | 45 | 687 | 15.3 | 51T | 8 |
| 2004 | Detroit Lions | 14 | 11 | 54 | 817 | 15.1 | 46 | 8 |
| TOTAL | 356 | 5,208 | 14.6 | 91 | 42 | 6 | 17 |
*Pro Bowl season under Mike Martz
I think Williams will be more equipped to contribute to the Bears immediately since he comes in with a knowledge of Martz’s system. If the Bears signed another, more high profile guy, he might not be able to get up to speed in the offense as quickly as Williams will.
He’s a big enough target at 6-3 and 215 pounds and he’s the “go up and get it” kind of receiver that Jay Cutler will like.
With limited options remaining at wide receiver in the free agent market, with most of the big names committed elsewhere, the Williams signing should be a good fit.
What do you think of the deal? Will Williams be a boom or a bust? Vote in our poll and let’s hear your thoughts in the Comments section.
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