Kasen Williams -- Why He May Have Been Cut ...

[Siouxhawk]

Good stuff! Our receivers need to know how to block.

Do our linemen need to know how to block?

They're trending in that direction.

 

[getnasty]

Kasen Williams was cut because he isn't very good,

end story

No one saying he is Julio Jones but is he better then McEvoy or Mckisic?

 

[Smellyman]

Kasen Williams was cut because he isn't very good,

end story

No one saying he is Julio Jones but is he better then McEvoy or Mckisic?

One trick pony versus versatile players. nope

 

[Hawkscanner]

NorthDallas40oz brings up an excellent point -- the evaluation of Kasen Williams WASN'T just made based solely upon this training camp and Preseason alone ... BUT also on over 2+ years going up against the Legion of Boom. They know this guy and what he can do ... and the bottom line is that Schneider and company obviously felt that there was something lacking in his game that other receivers could fulfill better than he could.

I don't subscribe to the All-22, so I only see what the local and national broadcasts show me. Besides simply having good hands, speed, and catching the football, here are other things that I personally look at when I evaluate WR's in general. And I'll do it in question form ...

1) Can he consistently get good separation? Yes, Kasen Williams can make spectacular plays, but I've noted at times that it appeared he has trouble getting separation from the DB. Other posters here in this thread have noted that as well. I know that he looked like he was fully back from his injury, but I'm wondering if he ever got the speed back. If he really is more of a 4.6 (40 yard dash) guy at this point, that could be an issue. So, if you don't have blazing speed and you don't have jitter-bug shiftiness (like Lockett), then you have to create separation by out-muscling guys (which brings me to my next question).

2) Is he physical and is he a good blocking WR? Again, the OP in the original reddit post and several posters here have noted that's an area of Kasen's game that appears to be lacking. On this team especially, that is a REALLY important skill for a WR to have. Doug Baldwin has pointed out that's part of what made Jermaine Kearse so invaluable to this team. Besides the clutch amazing catches he had over the years, Jermaine also was willing to do a lot of the necessary dirty work (blocking to spring big runs, 'picking' guys off to open things up for Doug, etc.). Chris98251 is right that no DB wants to get tangled up with a good, physical, blocking WR (as he noted, this team has had several throughout the years). That is a really important skill to have.

3) Does he give MAXIMUM effort, even when he's not the primary Go-To Receiver on a particular play? That to me is really, really key. If a receiver doesn't give 100% all the time, each and every single time, the opposing DB is going to know he's not the main target as well. If he goes through the motions at even 75% speed, good DB's are going to recognize that and he is invariably tipping the opposing defense off to where the ball is going. The play isn't going to work (or at least it's not going to work as well as it should). A guy who doesn't go 100% all of the time and give his maximum effort is going to (in the end) hurt the team as a whole. Plays DO break down all the time and though that WR might not have started out as the #1 target (maybe he was the #4 option) ... he may find the ball actually coming his way IF he has been giving his all to get separation. Again, I'm hearing that there may have issues when it comes to Williams and giving 100% effort ALL the time.

I don't honestly know if any of that truly applies to Kasen Williams. I don't know if the coaches thought he took plays off, was slow, or had consistent difficulty getting separation. However, it's clear based upon the available info that there were deficiencies in his game ... and that they felt other guys were more deserving of his spot.

As I reflect and evaluate Kasen Williams, the biggest lingering question I have regarding him is -- "Is Kasen Williams more or less a 1 Trick Pony?"

He has 1 skill that is absolutely amazing -- he can jump out of the gym and go up for the high ones. Does he do all the other necessary things a WR on this team should (and needs to do) though ... and can he do those things consistently?

That's my lingering question when it comes to him. And perhaps that's why a guy like an Amara Darboh is on this team ... and Kasen Wiliams is not. Field Gulls' Jared Stanger posted this soon after Amara Darboh was drafted and perhaps this helps explain some of the evaluation when it comes to him.

[tweet]https://twitter.com/JaredStanger/status/859883483245682688[/tweet]

In the end, I think that the Seahawks saw Darboh as being more physical and well-rounded as a receiver ... and Tanner McEvoy as being a faster (4.4 speed) and bigger (6'6") version of Kasen Williams. Bottom line.

 

[mikeak]

Let's not forget that borderline players are also viewed based on their potential

Kasen has had several years to hit his ceiling

Darboh had one off-season

So if Kasen is deemed to be slightly better then you probably keep Darboh solely based on higher ceiling

 

[Smellyman]

Kasen vert 35"

McEvoy 33.5"

supposedly Kasen's best quality.

 

[pittpnthrs]

The Williams decision was made based off of the Hawks' 2+ years of practice evaluation going against the LOB, not 6 catches made against an undrafted rookie CB for the Chargers who is no longer in the league, and the Vikings' Marcus Sherels, who has graded out below replacement level for his entire horrid career. And yes, Darboh has significantly greater upside than Williams, thus his 3rd round selection and why he would be kept over Williams. That upside didn't just evaporate simply because a minor injury caused him to miss time this pre-season and not have as much game tape as Williams. If pre-season game tape/stats taken entirely out of context were the measuring stick, then you could easily make the same case for keeping Pierre Desir instead of Shaquil Griffin, who like Darboh was also drafted in the 3rd round.

I'm not buying this when a member of the LOB has already spoken out about the cut and isn't happy. It took the guy 3 seasons to finally get it and when he does, he gets cut. That stinks. With a shrinking window, now more time will be wasted trying to get Darboh up to speed. I realize we're talking about a 5th or 6th receiver here, but Williams was an obvious shining light in the preseason and we opted to keep people that did much less.

By the way, many people (me included) are not happy we cut Desir either.

 

[sc85sis]

Richard seemingly isn't happy unless he has something to complain about. Pete and Jon have to look at a whole host of factors that Sherman has the luxury of not considering. That goes triple for fans.

No GM makes the right decision all of the time, but this front office has a pretty good track record.

 

[LoneHawkFan]

The Williams decision was made based off of the Hawks' 2+ years of practice evaluation going against the LOB, not 6 catches made against an undrafted rookie CB for the Chargers who is no longer in the league, and the Vikings' Marcus Sherels, who has graded out below replacement level for his entire horrid career. And yes, Darboh has significantly greater upside than Williams, thus his 3rd round selection and why he would be kept over Williams. That upside didn't just evaporate simply because a minor injury caused him to miss time this pre-season and not have as much game tape as Williams. If pre-season game tape/stats taken entirely out of context were the measuring stick, then you could easily make the same case for keeping Pierre Desir instead of Shaquil Griffin, who like Darboh was also drafted in the 3rd round.

I'm not buying this when a member of the LOB has already spoken out about the cut and isn't happy. It took the guy 3 seasons to finally get it and when he does, he gets cut. That stinks. With a shrinking window, now more time will be wasted trying to get Darboh up to speed. I realize we're talking about a 5th or 6th receiver here, but Williams was an obvious shining light in the preseason and we opted to keep people that did much less.

By the way, many people (me included) are not happy we cut Desir either.

You're assumption is that he got it. He didn't get it though. He didn't get that you have to work your ass off every play- even run plays. He didn't get that. He's had three seasons to get that, and he didn't get it. Still doesn't get it.

 

[getnasty]

Kasen Williams was cut because he isn't very good,

end story

No one saying he is Julio Jones but is he better then McEvoy or Mckisic?

One trick pony versus versatile players. nope

When your one trick is the best on the team then I'll have to disagree, but in the end Pete and John won out.

 

[LoneHawkFan]

Kasen Williams was cut because he isn't very good,

end story

No one saying he is Julio Jones but is he better then McEvoy or Mckisic?

One trick pony versus versatile players. nope

When your one trick is the best on the team then I'll have to disagree, but in the end Pete and John won out.

That's the attitude of losing teams, not championship teams. Losers have tunnel vision- they see 4 catches for 119 yds. Championship teams see that he still hasn't learned to do all the dirty work when his play isn't called. It's so simple, it's funny.

 

[getnasty]

No one saying he is Julio Jones but is he better then McEvoy or Mckisic?

One trick pony versus versatile players. nope

When your one trick is the best on the team then I'll have to disagree, but in the end Pete and John won out.

That's the attitude of losing teams, not championship teams. Losers have tunnel vision- they see 4 catches for 119 yds. Championship teams see that he still hasn't learned to do all the dirty work when his play isn't called. It's so simple, it's funny.

I thought he played well against Minnesota and Oakland too. He also seemed to play well on special teams throughout preseason.

 

[hawk45]

The Williams decision was made based off of the Hawks' 2+ years of practice evaluation going against the LOB, not 6 catches made against an undrafted rookie CB for the Chargers who is no longer in the league, and the Vikings' Marcus Sherels, who has graded out below replacement level for his entire horrid career. And yes, Darboh has significantly greater upside than Williams, thus his 3rd round selection and why he would be kept over Williams. That upside didn't just evaporate simply because a minor injury caused him to miss time this pre-season and not have as much game tape as Williams. If pre-season game tape/stats taken entirely out of context were the measuring stick, then you could easily make the same case for keeping Pierre Desir instead of Shaquil Griffin, who like Darboh was also drafted in the 3rd round.

I'm not buying this when a member of the LOB has already spoken out about the cut and isn't happy. It took the guy 3 seasons to finally get it and when he does, he gets cut. That stinks. With a shrinking window, now more time will be wasted trying to get Darboh up to speed. I realize we're talking about a 5th or 6th receiver here, but Williams was an obvious shining light in the preseason and we opted to keep people that did much less.

By the way, many people (me included) are not happy we cut Desir either.

We should trust Sherman's talent evaluation? The guy who thought Tharold Simon was the next coming? Okay...

 

[LoneHawkFan]

One trick pony versus versatile players. nope

When your one trick is the best on the team then I'll have to disagree, but in the end Pete and John won out.

That's the attitude of losing teams, not championship teams. Losers have tunnel vision- they see 4 catches for 119 yds. Championship teams see that he still hasn't learned to do all the dirty work when his play isn't called. It's so simple, it's funny.

I thought he played well against Minnesota and Oakland too. He also seemed to play well on special teams throughout preseason.

When he was targeted, he was fun to watch. The point is that when he isn't targeted, he is lazy and subpar. You can't be on your third try as a Seahawk and not execute the little things that you know are required of you. Simple.

 

[hawk45]

This FO has made a living spotting value in later-round or UDFA receivers. Heck, also with higher round receivers (Tate, Lockett).

If Kasen is a mistake it's one of the rare ones, and I'm sure willing to give benefit of the doubt at this position.

 

[olyfan63]

I honestly could care less about blocking we don't even have a OL that can block. I just want a guy to throw a jump ball to in the end zone. We absolutely suck in the red zone and Kasen showed the ability to be able to go up and get the ball even when covered.

I agree and feel the pain. Problem is, it would not matter. Bevell, Pete, and Wilson will never throw that anyway. See Graham in red zone if you need an example. If they believed that was an answer, we'd of seen that by now. Not happenin'. I know...dumb and it sucks. :|

You beat me to it. Why keep a jump-ball red zone specialist with significant holes in the rest of his game if they haven't thrown it much in the past in those situations to Jimmy G or Tanner McEvoy?

 

[hawk45]

TBH the Kasen Williams saga reminds me of Chris Matthews. Flashed in one game, but the FO saw something that led them to move on from him. Fans puzzled by it initially.

 

[chris98251]

When I am lined up against Camp fodder and I know how to make them look bad my effort would not be as high, when I am lined up against Sherman in practice and know to beat him I need 110 percent it would be different. Sherman seen him lined up against him a lot and maybe has a higher respect level, the coaches seen him lined up against everyone, if I have a run play I have to block for and Sherman is the DB and I know he will crash the line to make a tackle I better do my job, if it's another DB that isn't physical and I don't put him on his ass the coaches will notice those things.

 

[Hawkscanner]

Kasen vert 35"

McEvoy 33.5"

supposedly Kasen's best quality.

Let's take a look at the 2 and just compare the measureables ...

Category	Kasen Williams	Tanner McEvoy
Height	6’3”	6’6”
Weight	217 lbs	230 lbs
Arm Length	32”	31 7/8”
Hand Size	NA”	10”
40 Yard Time	4.61	4.47
Vertical	35”	33.5”
Broad Jump	9’11”	9’9”
Short Shuttle	4.46	4.29
3 Cone Drill	7.1	6.84
Bench	17 Reps	17 Reps

[tdo=4]Kasen Williams vs. Tanner McEvoy (Measureables)[/tdo]

As you can see, just from a pure measureables standpoint, McEvoy aces out Williams in just about every category. Yes, Williams is an amazing leaper, but just consider this ... just based upon the numbers alone, Williams out-leaps McEvoy by 1.5 inches. BUT, McEvoy is also a full 3 inches taller than Williams, so in reality, he can probably (in essence) go up as high or higher for balls than Williams can. Tanner McEvoy is bigger, faster, and an apparently (in the eyes of the coaching staff) more well rounded and versatile player. Just thought I'd throw that out there FWIW.

 

[chris98251]

Leaping is a skill that requires timing and quick twitch muscles, Basketball has a lot of tall players that if they can set themselves up to leap can go pretty high, but without it can't dunk a ball, a guy that can in the paint jump/turn/find the basket/ and dunk is a different type of leaper. Williams is the second type, jury out on Tanner, your right in essence he "should be able to" but in stride some guys can't get that elevation.