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The Vikings parted with two stalwarts of their defensive line this offseason, and the second one may be moving closer to staying in the NFL.
Kevin Williams, the Vikings former All-Pro and Pro Bowl defensive tackle, is in New York meeting with the Giants according to Mark Craig of the Star Tribune.
Williams flew from Atlanta to New Jersey Monday, according to Craig. Craig said Williams had dinner with Giants defensive line coach Robert Nunn as well as other Giants defensive coaches Monday night.
Williams will meet with head coach Tom Coughlin and members of the Giants front office on Tuesday, Craig said. This is Williams’ first visit with an NFL team this offseason.
The Giants need defensive line help after losing their top defensive tackle, Linval Joseph, to free agency this offseason. Since the Vikings grabbed Joseph from the Giants, maybe Jerry Reese and the Giants front office are trying to return the favor.
Williams, at 34, won’t represent a long term solution for anybody at this point, but he could boost a Giants defensive line without too many imposing figures in the middle. Williams was still effective somewhat as a pass rusher last season, and showed he had the versatility to slide over to nose tackle if needed as well.
Of course, it’s possible nothing will emerge from this news and Williams could very well remain unsigned for the 2014 season. Even if Williams ends up hanging his cleats, he still has a place in the Vikings Ring of Honor all but locked up.
He just may end up taking a detour in another uniform before that ends up happening.