Seattle Seahawks: Mike Williams on Matt Hasselbeck Returning, Upcoming Mini-Camp, Exercise

At a time when Ray Lewis is concerned about some of the players in the NFL getting into trouble, Seattle Seahawks WR Mike Williams simply doesn’t have the time.  Between a rigorous workout schedule and trying to help his teammates organize a two-day mini-camp, Williams has his hands full.

Williams spoke with Brock Huard and Mike Salk on the “Brock and Salk Show” on ESPN 710 in Seattle this week.  When talking about the free-time issue, and what Williams is doing to stay fit, he offered “I average about five-and-a-half, six hours of cardio a day, just between field work and in-the-gym work. And I try to get my basketball in every day,” prior to being stopped mid-sentence by Salk.

Salk gasped “Hold on…five-and-a-half to six hours of cardio a day?  That’s an insane amount of cardio.”

“Listen, listen…when you have the issues that you previously mentioned (Williams was out of the NFL for two seasons due to weight issues), you have to go a little above and beyond.  I like where I’m at.  I like working out with the guys.”

It sounds as though Williams will be with some more of his teammates quite soon.

“I got a text message this week.  I’m not going to reveal who it’s from, but we’ve got a guy up here trying to organize a two-day mini camp next week here in Seattle.”

Williams has been doing his part to get the word and encouragement to players to join him.  Later in the interview he admitted the team “fell short” last season, despite the playoff win.  Williams seems to recognize the advantage of getting the team together and working through plays, and even mentioned a desire to get some of the free agents there.

Speaking of free agents, Huard asked Williams if Matt Hasselbeck still has “the gas in the tank to lead an NFL team.”  Like all of Williams’ comments, the reply was quite positive. “I think he does,” Williams offered.  “I’m a firm believer.  I respect the guy and the body of work and what he means to a city and an organization.  If physically he can do it, I think as a teammate and as an organization you help him. You build around him, and you make his job easier.”

He made an analogy to Brett Favre, who was the last QB to start a season running new offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell’s offense.  While he specifically stated he wasn’t comparing overall talent, he did observe that Favre was able to run this offense so late in his career because, in part, the Minnesota Vikings had a well-rounded offense.

“Talent took the burden off him,” Williams concluded.  With new bodies on the offensive line, and a developing receiver corps, the Seahawks could be in a similar position in 2011.

When asked what happens if Hasselbeck doesn’t return, Williams stated “if Matt’s not the answer, I’m all for Charlie getting a shot.  I think Charlie deserves a shot. I think he came in, they gave him a deal to give him a shot. If Matt’s not the answer, I’m all for Charlie getting a shot.”

Williams continued “I think Charlie has a big-time arm. He can make all of the throws. And I think people were very critical of him this year, but I don’t think people take into considerations what repetitions do in this league, and the looks and the more time you have under center at practice, and how it carries over to the game.  And so I still think the judgment on Charlie definitely has to be out until he has a full year under his belt to really assess where he’s at.”

Some would argue that Whitehurst was given his shot last year.  He and Hasselbeck both lined up and ran the team and ran drills, and in the practices I saw Whitehurst was well behind in the race to be QB1.

“I’ll just say this,” Williams said.  “I can’t remember a day when Charlie came to training camp and OTAs and he was running with the one’s.”  Williams did mention that Charlie filled in at the spot when Matt needed a break, but that it was clear who the starting QB was.

Williams continued “Matt was getting the load of the plays and the looks and things like that. Charlie…he was with me, especially in training camp/mini-camp.  They say don’t count your reps, but I know how many reps I was getting and it was one or two.  Just because we were there doesn’t mean it was an equal playing field.  I thought Matt was the better option this year.  Matt earned his spot.”

Williams also shared his thoughts on Hasselbeck returning.  He said if the team can make it work, “bring him back.”

When talking about his understanding of Bevell’s offense and having play books: “you gotta understand…as soon as that thing (the lockout) was lifted, Coach Carroll and that group were 90 miles-an-hour.  E-mails, text messages.  Position coach (Kippy Brown) calling me.  Coordinator calling me. Hey Mike.  How are you doing?  Just a quick intro to the offense,” Williams stated.

“Having watched the game, you kind of pick up how Sydney Rice was able to do so well after you get the playbook.”  Williams dwelled on the “so well” part of that comment, and the listener could almost hear him licking his chops in anticipation of being able to run that offense in Seattle.

At this point, pretty much every Seahawk fan would be relieved to have Hasselbeck running Bevell’s offense on an NFL field.  After all, that would mean the lockout is over…and no, Hasselbeck won’t be a replacement player.


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