By RYAN ARENA

L’Observateur

Former East St. John standout Roydell Williams has a new lease on life in the NFL this week after signing with the Washington Redskins this week.

A fourth round draft pick out of Tulane by the Tennessee Titans in 2005, Williams played in 40 games over three years. He caught 84 passes for 1,139 yards and six touchdowns over that span, peaking in 2007 when he hauled in 55 passes for 719 yards and four touchdowns.

But in 2008, the Titans parted ways with Williams, releasing him before the preseason — the six foot, 187 pound receiver injured his ankle late in his breakout ’07 campaign and struggled to get back to form.

Williams signed with Washington in 2009, but was released before the preseason.

While at East St. John, Williams was a dynamic player who caught 53 passes for 1,101 yards and 23 touchdowns as a senior. Williams was also a standout baseball player: he was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the fifth round of the 2000 MLB Draft.

Current Hahnville coach Lou Valdin coached Williams during his freshman and sophomore seasons and recalled him as a real difference maker.

“He was a big, tall target with really great hands and the ability to separate from defensive backs,” said Valdin. “He was always open. His height was a real plus because our quarterback, Franklin McKinnis, was a shorter guy.”

Valdin said that Williams’ best attribute was his fearlessness and willingness to go across the middle.

But with a laugh, he cautioned that he perhaps shouldn’t be so anxious to do so at Redskins practice. After all, Williams won’t be the only former Valdin protégé on the roster.

“I’m real excited for him. But he better be careful going over the middle with LaRon (Landry) out there,” Valdin said, referring to the former star Hahnville and LSU safety.