Seahawks release WR Mike Williams
The Seahawks put an end to the debate about Mike Williams' status, releasing the former first round pick a little more than two weeks before the start of training camp.
"We would like to thank Mike for his contributions over the past two seasons and we wish him well in the future," Seahawks general manager John Schneider said.
Williams signed a contract extension after a breakout 2010 season in which he caught 65 passes for 751 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught three touchdowns in the playoffs that season.
However, he regressed in 2011, catching just 18 passes for 236 yards and one touchdown in 12 games, and finished the season on injured reserve with an ankle injury.
Williams was expected to be fighting a tough battle to make the final roster in 2013. With Sidney Rice healthy, Doug Baldwin coming off an excellent rookie year and Golden Tate progressing toward the end of last season along with steady veteran Ben Obomanu, the team has a solid if hardly dynamic top four receivers.
Second-year wide receiver Kris Durham is a 6-6 possession receiver the Seahawks are expecting to emerge following his injury-plagued rookie season..
Seattle is also high on raw deep threat Ricardo Lockette, who the coaching staff wants to get more reps in training camp, and Deon Butler is fully recovered from his gruesome broken leg in the 2010 season. Rookies Phil Bates, Jermaine Kearse and Lavasier Tuinei are also on the roster, along with third-year player Charly Martin and second-year man Cameron Kenney.
