After making headlines for his tweet Monday night, Miami Dolphins wide receiver Preston Williams spoke to the media after Tuesday’s practice session to clarify his message.
“I just feel like I’m not getting the opportunities that I deserve, simply scripted-wise, not being on the field-wise,” Williams said. “[I want] opportunities to show that I can beat my man.”
He said he did speak to head coach Mike McDaniel about getting a chance earlier in the offseason.
“We had a conversation during OTAs, and the only specific thing I asked him was ‘I just want my opportunity,’” Williams said. “[McDaniel] said, ‘You’ll get your opportunity.’ I just want him to make him a man of his word, that’s all.”
McDaniel spoke before the practice, and while he said he didn’t really find pressing needs for football in social media, he is aware of Williams’ comments and how these players want to compete.
“I do, however, prioritize opportunities for players to follow their dreams,” McDaniel said. “One of the things that (Wide Receivers Coach) Wes Welker and I strongly connect on from our journeys… is that we hold with a lot of esteem and responsibility preparing people and giving them opportunities. It’s also the – really looking to the players, too, to understand that every time they’re on the field, the way we do things, it’s a tremendous opportunity for them as well as their teammates who they’re depending on to execute and operate at a high standard… People want to do good, so I get that and I don’t really hold much weight to all of that.”
With the acquisitions of veteran wideouts Tyreek Hill and Cedrick Wilson Jr., Williams is really fighting for a depth spot in the receiver room. Most teams tend to keep six players at the position, so he’s battling for two spots with rookies Erik Ezukanma and Braylon Sanders, as well as Mohamed Sanu, Lynn Bowden Jr., Trent Sherfield, River Cracraft and DeVonte Dedmon.
Williams said that he hasn’t asked for a trade yet, but he’ll be in communication with his agent. With all the mouths to feed in the passing game, it’s hard to make everyone happy. Miami may be better off trading him to a receiver-needy team and receiving either a draft pick or a player at a position of need in return.