Offensive guard Evan Mathis and offensive tackle Michael Williams were both standouts at Alabama. Mathis played at both guard and tackle from 2000-04, while Williams saw action at tight end from 2008-12. Both players are getting acquainted with their new NFL teams.
Mathis, 33, enters his 11th season in the National Football League.
He spent four seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles, anchoring its offensive line at left guard from 2011-14. Mathis earned two trips to the Pro Bowl (2013, 2014) and first-team All-Pro honors in 2013. He was graded as an All-Pro offensive guard three times, according to Pro Football Focus in 2011, 2012 and 2013. Mathis is now a member of the Denver Broncos.
Contract disputes with the Eagles landed Mathis in Denver. He and the Broncos agreed to a one-year deal worth $4 million, after Tuesday’s practice. According to Jeff Legwold of ESPN, Mathis’ base salary will start at $2.5 million. The rest will come upon his performance, if he is able to hit all the play-time incentives. Mathis has started in 78 of 114 career games.
New England adds another ex-Crimson Tide player to its roster in Michael Williams.
Williams was acquired by the Patriots Wednesday in a trade with the Detroit Lions. At 24 years old, he was selected in the seventh round (211th overall pick) of the 2011 NFL Draft by Detroit.
Williams, 6-foot-6, 304 pounds, was placed on injured reserve after getting hurt in preseason play last year. He has yet to play a down in the last two season, as he was on the practice squad.
Williams won three national championships at tight end at Alabama (2009, 2011, 2012).
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine and SB Nation. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @ESPN_Future.
