Duke Williams: "I'm Out"

[Crash]

@bobo82

…s well as the fact of health issues and missed playing time over the past few seasons in the first place?His signing was a headscratcher then and I’m honestly not surprised at how it turned out in the end . He may have been a model citizen all season but a loose cannon is basically going to usually go off at some point when you have a guy as unstable as Williams has shown himself to be in the past .

2023 Ticats. Roll the Dice.

[bobo82]

@Crash

2023 Ticats. Roll the Dice.

And don’t forget the dartboard as well .

[Iceman1]

Sending him home could have been proactive anticipating problems.
IMO Williams has been great on the field production and behaviour. A massive talent.
Leading the team in pregame rallies as well.

Maybe management anticipated he could be a distraction down the stretch.

[Schweinhund]

I liked the Williams signing at the time, still think it was a good move. You got a guy at a bargain coming off injuries who had been a top receiver in the league. A big receiver who could fight for contested balls which seemed to be an issue for Dunbar. An experienced player to help mentor what are mostly second year receivers. To say he only had one good year isn’t accurate to me. Came to Edmonton as an NFL cut and made a big impact immediately before his big breakout season, then hung around the Bills roster a couple of years. He played well for Sask in the second half of 2021 after coming back from the NFL.

Last year I’d admit there seemed to be some discipline issues on the field at least along with the injuries and his stock dropped. We don’t really know what he was like in the locker room but on the field I’d agree he was pretty solid here considering how poor the offence has been all year. And seemed to do all this despite nursing injuries through the season - was listed as questionable in several games but always played before the whole ‘I’m out’ blow up.

Either way looks like he’s done here so hopefully Bayless can follow through on his training camp hype.

[Dr.Snuggles]

@bobo82

…s well as the fact of health issues and missed playing time over the past few seasons in the first place?His signing was a headscratcher then and I’m honestly not surprised at how it turned out in the end . He may have been a model citizen all season but a loose cannon is basically going to usually go off at some point when you have a guy as unstable as Williams has shown himself to be in the past .

Needed size and Duke provided it. Caught the ball in traffic . Which Dunbar almost never did. Dont see what the problem is.

[Schweinhund]

@Dr.Snuggles

Needed size and Duke provided it. Caught the ball in traffic . Which Dunbar almost never did. Dont see what the problem is.

It was the kind of move a lot of teams assembling a Cup contending team would make. Geroy Simon with the Riders in 2013, and SJ Green for the Argos in 2017. Both guys were about 4 years older than Duke this year and pretty much written off at the time.

[Dr.Snuggles]

@Schweinhund

It was the kind of move a lot of teams assembling a Cup contending team would make. Geroy Simon with the Riders in 2013, and SJ Green for the Argos in 2017. Both guys were about 4 years older than Duke this year and pretty much written off at the time.

Signing Wms was a mistake is an astonishing take, really. Even with consistent average QBing and reliable protection we wouldnt be doing what ifs, hopes and prayers to make the playoffs.

[ClosetCat]

@Crash

2023 Ticats. Roll the Dice.

As soon as I saw your post, I couldn’t resist…

2023 RedBlacks. Roll the Dyce (right out the door).

[DisplacedCatsFan]

@Dr.Snuggles

Needed size and Duke provided it. Caught the ball in traffic . Which Dunbar almost never did. Dont see what the problem is.

He also put in all the physical work that SOME recievers seem incapable of, like blocking on sweeps, screens, running/RPO plays, blocking downfield, extending their arms to make a catch, etc.

I don’t think I ever saw him chew-out or strike a teammate on the field, nor get into a shouting match outside the locker room in plain view.

What I find interesting is that he was “sent home”. If he was truly injured, then the team has a responsibility for his medical care.

My “speculation” is that there was an argument over his status for the OTT game. He wanted to play, and Stein didn’t want him to. Perhaps, instead of putting him on the IL, he could have been a “game-time decision” or “healthy scratch”. That would have given him a game off on a short week, allow both sides to “save face”, and THEN assess things.

Also perhaps, he was put on the 6-game for Cap issues. If so, I fully support his “I’m out” comment. For all we know, he was getting to the point of recieving performance bonuses too. That is messing with a players -potential- income.

He still gets paid, he still gets medical care, and since he was “sent home” he doesn’t have to be around the HC/GM/Prez every day.

Again, this is speculation. All these things have happened before to players on every team in the CFL.

[ottawacat]

@Schweinhund

… hopefully Bayless can follow through on his training camp hype.

He got off to a good start, on that last week, catching all four balls tossed his way and averaging over 13 yds. per reception, for a paycheque of, probably, less than half of Williams’ for sitting at home.

In his 11 TiCat games, Williams caught 57% of the passes intended for him, averaged 46 yds. receiving per game, and just over 14 yds. per catch. In his last 4 games, he caught 53%, averaged just 22 yds. per game, and 11 yds. per catch.

[bobo82]

@ottawacat

…In his 11 TiCat games, Williams caught 57% of the passes intended for him, averaged 46 yds. receiving per game, and just over 14 yds. per catch. In his last 4 games, he caught 53%, averaged just 22 yds. per game, and 11 yds. per catch.

So very pedestrian stats to say the least . I can’t understand how some people are upset at the fact he is no longer around anymore . I mean it’s not like he was a top 5 league receiver or ripping it up with the yardage each week . Yes the guy was talented , no question but he certainly wasn’t the end all and be all like some are making him out to be .

Basically at the end of the day the Cats took a gamble with Williams , it didn’t work out , you win some you lose some and then it’s time to move on . I for one am excited to see what Bayless brings to the table myself to be honest about it .

[Iceman1]

For the new speculation that Williams was a “Mitchell” signing I remember watching Williams first interviews and he said

“I called BO and told him, wherever you sign I am signing”

here is a reference in an old article
https://3downnation.com/2023/05/23/tiger-cats-duke-williams-great-feeling-to-be-playing-with-bo-levi-mitchell/

[GrumpyGord]

@Krisiun

So Mitchell wanted BLM and Duke and who knows who else.

Does Orlondo get to pick any of his own players?

I think this has been a problem in the organization for a long time. Unfortunately

[Dr.Snuggles]

@bobo82

…ng it up with the yardage each week . Yes the guy was talented , no question but he certainly wasn’t the end all and be all like some are making him out to be .Basically at the end of the day the Cats took a gamble with Williams , it didn’t work out , you win some you lose some and then it’s time to move on . I for one am excited to see what Bayless brings to the table myself to be honest about it .

With quarterbacking and Oline turned upside down what kind of rec stats should one expect ? Blaming Wms is incorrect, (mod edit) frankly.

[Krisiun]

@Schweinhund

…s like in the locker room but on the field I’d agree he was pretty solid here considering how poor the offence has been all year. And seemed to do all this despite nursing injuries through the season - was listed as questionable in several games but always played before the whole ‘I’m out’ blow up.Either way looks like he’s done here so hopefully Bayless can follow through on his training camp hype.

This assessment by Schweinhund is spot on.

Since about 2009 the Cats have always had a really good 2nd Down possession type receiver. We had Stala, Fantuz and Tasker that could be counted on to convert those 2nd and longs and keep the drives going.

After Tasker left we’ve had a bit of a void in that department and the results have showed on the field over the last couple of seasons. Duke Williams seemed to be the guy to fill that role this season.

I don’t think we should dwell on this Duke fiasco for too long. If Bayless can stay healthy then he could be an instant replacement for Duke and possibly even an upgrade. Bayless seems to have very “sticky” mitts and seems to be able to haul in everything thrown his way.

[smogmonster]

@Dr.Snuggles

With quarterbacking and Oline turned upside down what kind of rec stats should one expect ? Blaming Wms is incorrect, frankly.

So is making an assumption about White being “pouty” and therefore not produciing earlier in the season. He is killing it with Powell getting more time to make the throws.

[bobo82]

@smogmonster

So is making an assumption about White being “pouty” and therefore not produciing earlier in the season. He is killing it with Powell getting more time to make the throws.

The team really missed Williams out there today . Probably would’ve won by more if he was in uniform .

[Dr.Snuggles]

@smogmonster

So is making an assumption about White being “pouty” and therefore not produciing earlier in the season. He is killing it with Powell getting more time to make the throws.

But he was pouting and he wasnt producing.

[ottawacat]

Looking for some stats, I just noticed that Duke is “out,” as far as the league is concerned, too. His name, as Duke or D’haquille does not appear, at all, in player stats on cfl.ca

[Iceman1]

@ottawacat

Looking for some stats, I just noticed that Duke is “out,” as far as the league is concerned, too. His name, as Duke or D’haquille does not appear, at all, in player stats on cfl.ca

Thats what happens when you get sent to Orlondo’s island for misfit Ticats.