Mike Williams: Veteran WR Released by Seattle Seahawks

Former first-round pick Mike Williams appeared to be on the upswing in 2010-11, when he made a comeback under former USC coach Pete Carroll with the Seattle Seahawks.

Last season, on the other hand, was a different story, as he finished with just 18 catches, 236 yards and one touchdown.

Now, the veteran receiver is being released by the Seahawks, according to Adam Caplan of TheSidelineView.com:

"

#Seahawks announced they released WR Mike Williams.

— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) July 13, 2012"

Williams, who was selected No. 10 overall in the 2005 NFL draft, had stints with the Detroit Lions, Oakland Raiders and Tennessee Titans before landing in Seattle. There was hope that his first season under Carroll was a sign of things to come, but he was surpassed by several receivers on the roster last season, including Sidney Rice and then-rookie Doug Baldwin.

What happens to Williams now is anyone's guess. A team could look at his 2010-11 season, in which he caught 65 balls for 751 yards and two touchdowns, and still see some potential there. On the other hand, that's been his only solid season since he was drafted. For a guy with some years under his belt (he turns 29 next January), time is ticking for the former Trojans standout.

It's hard to believe Williams compiled over 2,500 receiving yards and 30 touchdowns in his two years at USC before entering the NFL. He was considered a huge bust in Detroit from the get-go, and he's done little to shed that tag since. There are certainly some teams out there in need of receiving help, but it's still risky to gamble on Williams at this point.

It certainly isn't encouraging when your former college coach cuts you.

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