With The First Pick
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Dan Williams Should Have Reported in Shape in 2016

By Carl Cockerham

Jan 1, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Dan Williams (90) leaves the field following the loss to the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field. The Broncos defeated the Raiders 24-6. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Denver, CO, USA; Oakland Raiders defensive tackle Dan Williams (90) leaves the field following the loss to the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field. The Broncos defeated the Raiders 24-6. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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In 2015, NT Dan Williams appeared to be a fixture with the Silver and Black. Then after reporting to camp out of shape in 2016, he gets cut in the 2017 offseason.

During the 2015 offseason, the Oakland Raiders needed a run-stuffing space-eater on their defense. So they picked up Dan Williams, who had been a good player for the Arizona Cardinals. When in shape, he was a dominant player, unable to be moved off the line of scrimmage.

But there were times that he was out of shape, which is probably why the Cardinals let him walk. So that season, his first with the Raiders, he was good Dan Williams. They were ranked No. 20 in run defense but he did his part while the team needed ILBs.

The Raiders were 7-9 and Williams was a part of the promising core of their defense. Then comes 2016 and Williams reports to training camp out of shape, unable to pass his conditioning test. And he never was able to get his football legs under him, getting tossed around.

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Had he reported in shape, he would have played well in 2016 and still been a part of the core. Now, the Raiders need money to keep QB Derek Carr, EDGE Khalil Mack and OG Gabe Jackson. Plus they spent money to bring in WR Cordarrelle Patterson and TE Jared Cook.

So someone had to go and it was Williams as the Raiders saved $4.5 million for cutting him. No organization with a young core of player wants veterans like that around anyway. It was the perfect opportunity to show what happens to players that cut corners too.

At 6:00 AM, it’s hard for a man over 300 pounds with silk pajamas on to get up and work out. But Williams got a big contract putting that work in, which is how he got those silk pajamas. So it would have been a good idea for him to keep putting the work in.

I seriously doubt he gets another big contract now!

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