Former Philadelphia Eagles and Baltimore Ravens cornerback Cary Williams has developed an interesting reputation thus far in his NFL career.
He's as likely to be brash and boisterous as he is to be quiet and brooding. He's an intelligent guy who's unafraid to speak his mind when he deems it necessary. He's cocky, confident and unwilling to back down from any player in the league.
Does that remind you of anyone - perhaps a long, physical, Super Bowl-winning cornerback from the Seattle Seahawks?
Well, if Richard Sherman popped into your head, you're not alone. And you probably also won't be surprised to learn that Williams, cut earlier this week by the Eagles, has set up his first free agent visit with none other than Sherman's Seahawks, per a report from Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.
As Rapoport notes, the Seahawks could be preparing to lose the fourth member of their vaunted Legion of Boom defensive backfield, cornerback Byron Maxwell, to NFL free agency. Should that in fact happen, Williams provides many of the same physical and competitive aspects to his game as Maxwell and could slide right into the No. 2 cornerback role across from Sherman for the Hawks.
It was reported by Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel during the combine that Seattle head coach Pete Carroll and GM John Schneider were already resigned to the fact that they have "little or no chance" to resign Maxwell.
Williams, who won a Super Bowl while a member of the Ravens, is entering his eighth NFL season.
He's 31, while Maxwell is only 27, but posted similar numbers to Maxwell last year despite playing as part of an Eagles secondary that was among the worst in the league.
Williams finished with 60 tackles, two interceptions and 10 passes defensed. Maxwell collected 39 tackles, two interceptions and 12 passes defensed.
Of course, context is important for both players.
The idea that Maxwell was aided by performing as part of the LOB along with several Pro Bowl players is legitimate - but it also could mean fewer chances to make plays, whereas Williams, playing as part of a defensive unit teams were in no way reticent to pass on, had many more opportunities to collect stats.
There's also the fact that Maxwell is considered an ascending player, while Williams is much closer to the end of his NFL career than the beginning.
Still, Williams could be a perfect short-term fit with the Seahawks, as he provides the length, grit and tenacity Seattle seems to prefer in their cornerbacks.
