Rams bringing back Rolland Williams

**Nick** · -03-09-2005

Rams bring back TE Williams
By Jim Thomas
Of the Post-Dispatch
Wednesday, Mar. 09 2005

After a four-year hiatus, tight end Roland Williams is headed back to St.
Louis.

Williams, a fourth-round draft pick by the Rams in 1998, signed a one-year deal
Wednesday for the veteran’s minimum.

Williams, 29, had been scheduled to leave Wednesday for Hawaii and the NFL
Players Association annual meetings. But the Rams got him to delay his
departure by one day.

He was at Rams Park on Wednesday, passed his physical, and signed the contract.

“Roland was a terrific point-of-attack tight end for us,” Rams coach Mike Martz
said. “It gives us the flexibility now of taking Brandon (Manumaleuna) and
being a lot more creative with him, too. It just makes us bigger and stronger
in the running game.”

Williams is 6-5 and 275 pounds, and takes pride in his run blocking. He started
35 regular-season games for the Rams from 1998-2000.

His best receiving season in St. Louis was the 1999 Super Bowl championship
campaign, when he caught 25 passes for 226 yards and six touchdowns.

Williams was traded to Oakland for a fourth-round draft pick in 2000, and spent
three of the next four seasons with the Raiders.

According to Martz, the addition of Williams means the Rams no longer have an
interest in re-signing Cameron Cleeland, who’s an unrestricted free agent.

**AvengerRam** · -03-09-2005

Well, I guess he's better than Cleeland.

***ramhard*** · -03-09-2005

I don't think this is a major upgrade move BUT it is a good sign if it is true that they want to concentrate more on the running game. But I'll believe that when I see it.

Hope he's gotten all of the penalities out of his system.

**HUbison** · -03-09-2005

This signing is to bolster the goal-line running game. Cleeland was a receiver, Roland is a blocker.

***sbramfan*** · -03-09-2005

I agree, he is an upgrade as a blocker, and probably a little quicker than the Big Man, Manu.

However, I think this is a great addition to this teams continuity and energy. Roland Williams was an emotional leader on the sidelines during '99, and I expect him to do the same going forward.

Somedays it feels like there needs to be someone on the Rams sidelines doing a little barking and getting guys pumped up.

***ZigZagRam*** · -03-09-2005

I really like this signing. He's good near the red zone, he had 6 touchdowns in 1999 for us.

He's also a good special teams player! That's something we desperately need.

He's also an extremely nice guy, a good interview, and as was said before, an emotional leader. And for the veteran's minimum how could you complain?

***RealRam*** · -03-09-2005

Totally with you, ZigZag.

As a Ram, I liked Roland Williams very much and was disappointed he was gone after a couple of years with us. I think he is both a blocker AND receiver, perhaps not spectacular 'a la Tony Gonzales' but consistent / decent in his passing plays.

Glad he's back!

His best receiving season in St. Louis was the 1999 Super Bowl championship campaign, when he caught 25 passes for 226 yards and six touchdowns.

Cleeland, thanks for your contributions. Will always keep that terrific TD Vs. Seattle in 04!