Under G.M. Phil Savage, the Browns acquired defensive tackle Corey Williams from the Packers for a second-round pick, and promptly gave him a big deal with over $16 million in guarantees.
Just a year later, another team may be trying to take him from the Browns.
Panthers G.M. Marty Hurney was in Green Bay Bay Saturday night, reportedly to look at Williams. (Hopefully he enjoyed the game more than Eric Mangini, who was “fuming” after a lackluster 17-0 loss.)
Williams has struggled to adapt to a 3-4 defense, rarely showing the skills that made him a quality starter as a defensive tackle in Green Bay.
In Carolina, Williams would be asked to move back to tackle, where even Pro Bowl linebacker Jon Beason said the team “definitely” needs to sign a veteran after losing Ma’aake Kemoeatu for the season during training camp.
The deal would make sense for both sides, as Williams may never fit Cleveland’s system. The trickiest part for Carolina could be squeezing him under the salary cap, which is tight because of Julius Peppers’ contract.
Williams is set to make $1.7 million this season; his salary moves up to $4.2 million in 2010.
UPDATE: Hurney could also have been looking at the Packers, who are transitioning to a 3-4 defense. The Rock Hill Herald says the Panthers will continue to look hard for a defensive tackle, and that “somebody’s coming, and they’d rather do it sooner than later.”