Wilson: Williamson lights up Bucs

Troy Williamson always had the rare acceleration and speed of a track star — gifts of athleticism that prompted the Minnesota Vikings to draft him seventh overall years ago. But the swift wide receiver quickly earned a reputation for having suspect hands and never fulfilling his promise in Minnesota, ultimately being declared a bust.

Now, the former University of South Carolina star is resurrecting his career in a manner that no one expected.

APTroy Williamson

Williamson has energized the Jacksonville Jaguars’ dormant passing game, emerging as a deep threat this preseason. On the first play of Saturday night’s game against Tampa, he dashed 74 yards for a touchdown pass from David Garrard in the Jags’ 24-23 loss to the Buccaneers.

“It was a lot of fun with that fast start,” Garrard said. “We are playing fast and guys are making plays. What a great run and catch by Troy. You can’t beat that.”

It marked the Jaguars’ first touchdown of the preseason, and Williamson followed up that excitement with a 61-yard reception later on in the first half to finish with 147 receiving yards.

“I believe guys can recreate who they are,” Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio told reporters. “We have to do that as a football team. We have to recreate who we are.

“There are players like that around the league that, after bouncing to a team or two, they end up flourishing. To show that explosiveness was a good sign.”

Once tabbed to replace Randy Moss after the Vikings traded him to the Oakland Raiders, Williamson didn’t live up to expectations in Minnesota, catching just 79 passes for 1,067 yards and three touchdowns in three seasons up north.

“No pressure now,” Williamson said. “I’m around a good group of guys and I feel like I’m welcome. I just feel comfortable. That’s one thing I like about being down here in Jacksonville. It’s fun.”

The 6-1, 203-pounder from Aiken, S.C., caught three passes for 74 yards in the Jaguars’ first preseason game. But for Williamson, there’s still the matter of proving himself in the regular season.

His career high is 37 receptions for 455 yards in 2006, and he caught just five passes for 30 yards and one touchdown in eight games with the Jaguars last season.

Still, though, this has to qualify as an extremely encouraging sign for an athlete who hasn’t enjoyed much success after entering the NFL with so much promise.

“A guy like Troy is special,” Garrard said. “We’ve got the weapons. It’s just me putting the ball in their hands.”

Follow me on Twitter: RavensInsider

Comments

Add a Comment