FANTASY FOOTBALL NFL PLAYERS

Posted: 2/26/2013 1:44pm et

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers met with Hadley Engelhard, agent for WR Mike Williams, at the NFL Scouting Combine and it was described as a "very productive meeting." The team is interested in signing Williams to a contract extension.

Huddle Up: Williams is the No. 2 man now in Tampa with Vincent Jackson's arrival last offseason, but that also helped Williams bump up his production last season. Williams actually had 2 fewer catches than he did in 2011 (63-65), but he averaged nearly 4 more yards per reception (15.8-11.9) and tripled his TD production (9-3).

Posted: 1/31/2013 12:05am et

Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Mike Williams may look to Buffalo Bills WR Stevie Johnson's five-year, $36 million deal as a benchmark as he discusses a contract extension with the team this offseason. Seattle Seahawks WR Sidney Rice signed a five-year, $41 million deal in 2011 that had more than $18 million in guaranteed money.

Huddle Up: Right now Williams is the WR2 in Tampa Bay after the Bucs spent big on Vincent Jackson last offseason. Considering they have an outstanding young running back and a question mark at quarterback, spending big on another wideout doesn't make a ton of sense. So if Williams is looking for Johnson or Rice money, he may have to leave Tampa to find it.

Posted: 1/30/2013 12:16am et

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have begun contract extension talks with WR Mike Williams.

Huddle Up: Williams tripled his 2011 number of TD catches (3 to 9) and had 225 more receiving yards on 2 fewer receptions this past season and should be in line for decent extension.

Posted: 12/22/2012 12:06am et

Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Mike Williams (wrist) fully participated in practice Friday, Dec. 21, and is listed as probable for Week 16.

Huddle Up: This Sunday against the Rams, Williams and Bucs will be trying to get rid of the stink from last week's 41-0 shutout loss to the Saints. Williams had TD receptions in each of the previous 2 games.

Posted: 8/14/2012 4:32pm et

Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Mike Williams has picked up his work ethic this year after a disappointing 2011 season in which he reported to training camp out of shape and had only three touchdowns all year. 'His work ethic has definitely picked up,' receivers coach P.J. Fleck said. 'And he's reaping his rewards.' Williams showed impressive will taking an interception away from SS Mark Barron in practice Tuesday, Aug. 14.

Huddle Up: Williams was a fantasy flop last season after a strong rookie campaign in which he hauled in 65 passes for 964 yards and 11 TDs to rank 11th among all wideouts. In 2011, Williams' drop mirrored that of QB Josh Freeman's, but the Bucs have spent the offseason trying to remedy the situation. Free-agent Vincent Jackson was the primary addition, and he should direct coverage away from Williams. Providing Freeman bounces back, all the pieces are in place for Williams to do likewise.

Posted: 6/22/2012 12:12pm et

Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Mike Williams typically lined up as a split end the first two seasons of his career, but wide receivers coach P.J. Fleck said the Bucs plan to use Williams in multiple roles this year. Fleck said Williams and the team's other receivers will be more diverse in the team's new offense, which could allow them all to move around as the Buccaneers try to take advantage of matchups. "A guy like Mike can play inside or outside - wherever we want him to," Fleck said.

Huddle Up: Position versatility should help the Bucs create matchup problems with Williams, which in turn will help his productivity. But he'll still be playing second fiddle to Vincent Jackson in the Tampa Bay passing game.