Mike Valenti: Lions Should Call Jets 'Right Now' About Quinnen Williams
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The situation developing between defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and the New York Jets is worth monitoring.
Earlier this week, the talented defensive lineman scrubbed mentions of the Jets on his Twitter account.
Presumably, Williams is unhappy with his current contract situation.
Popular 97.1 The Ticket sports radio host Mike Valenti believes the Detroit Lions should immediately inquire about whether Williams is available on the trade market.
"If the Jets can’t get this guy signed and you offer the Jets a 1 and a 3 and you get Williams signed to a four-year, $110 million contract, I’m ready," said Valenti. "I’m ready to go in and do this, because this is about one thing. It’s not about winning a division or hosting a playoff game. It’s not about winning playoff games or getting to the NFC title game or getting to the Super Bowl and going home with your garden hose in your hand. It’s about winning the Lombardi Trophy. It is about winning it all."
Many who are against pulling off a blockbuster trade are opposed to giving up draft capital or signing Williams to a lucrative, long-term contract.
For a team with Super Bowl aspirations, pulling off a trade of this caliber would demonstrate its seriousness of winning now, when the window is wide open to have playoff success.
"I would take your first-round and third-round pick next year and I’d call the Jets right now," Valenti said. "And you can laugh at me. But, if you laugh at me, then you’re laughing at Howie Roseman, the general manager who’s built the single best roster in all of football, the Philadelphia Eagles. Howie Roseman is one of the most aggressive traders to acquire talent in all of football."
Valenti believes Detroit general manager Brad Holmes needs to remain aggressive in his pursuit of high-end talent, as the other Super Bowl contenders have leadership in the front office willing to pull off blockbuster trades in order to improve their rosters.
"You know who else is aggressive? The other team you’re chasing in the NFC, the 49ers. John Lynch is aggressive," Valeni explained. "My belief is, you put Quinnen Williams in the middle of this defense, you become a team that is on par with Philly and San Fran. Can’t say you’re better than them and maybe you’re not quite as good. But, boy, you’re sitting at that dinner table. Quinnen Williams is a game-breaker. He is a mandatory double-team. He’s a freakshow."
