NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



Former NFL tight end joins Brigade as training camp approaches

January 22, 2007 - Arena Football League (1987-2008) (AFL I)
Kansas City Brigade News Release


Kansas City, Mo. (Jan. 22) - Versatility is at a premium in the Arena Football League and the Brigade went to the highest level of pro football to get it. The team announced today that former NFL tight end Eddie "Boo" Williams (6-4, 265 lbs., Arkansas) will be on the 2007 roster. Williams has the speed to get downfield, but can also stay in and block, part of the versatility that helped him in four extremely successful seasons with the New Orleans Saints.

"It never hurts to get a guy with size and speed that fits with what we want to do," head coach Kevin Porter said. "Boo has proven he can play against the best and we expect him to be a big contributor here."

Williams' NFL career began in April 2001, when he joined the Saints as an undrafted rookie free agent. He was released at the end of training camp and signed to the practice squad a day later. Williams was promoted to the active roster in October 2001. He played in 11 games with four starts and finished with 20 catches for 202 yards and three touchdowns.

"It feels good to be here," Williams said. "I have a good relationship with Coach Porter because he used to help coach the Saints when I was there. We're on same page, that I should come in here and make difference. I'm a playmaker; I make big catches, get the crowd involved, and get my teammates involved."

Williams played in all 16 games each season from 2002-04. He started three games in 2002 and caught 13 passes for 143 yards and two scores. Williams had his finest season in 2003 when he started seven games and finished with career-highs in catches (41), yards (436) and touchdowns (five), to lead all NFC tight ends. He had nine receptions for 110 yards-career bests-at Philadelphia on Nov. 23.

Williams started eight games in 2004 and caught 33 passes for 363 yards and two scores, including five catches for 71 yards and a touchdown at San Diego on Nov. 7. Williams was released by the Saints in February 2006 and picked up by the New York Giants later that year. In four active seasons with the Saints, Williams played in 59 games with 22 starts, totaling 107 receptions for 1,143 yards (10.7 yard average) with 12 touchdowns.

Williams was a two-time Junior College All-America at Coffeyville Community College in Coffeyville, Kan., where he had 83 receptions for 1,687 yards and 21 touchdowns. He then transferred to the University of Arkansas, where he played wide receiver in 1999-2000. He started every game at wide receiver as a senior and finished with 52 catches for 739 yards and seven scores. In two seasons with the Razorbacks, Williams caught 80 passes for 1,123 yards (14.0 yard average) with 11 touchdowns.

• Discuss this story on the Arena Football League (1987-2008) message board...

Arena Football League (1987-2008) Stories from January 22, 2007


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central