Rift Between Vikes and Pat Williams?

The ongoing saga of Pat Williams continues as the Vikings keep him on the physically unable to perform list and his agent calls preseason games "meaningless" in the ongoing battle of the bulge between team and player.

Nose tackles are supposed to big, right?

Yes, but apparently not too big. That's the contention going on between the Vikings and defensive tackle Pat Williams. In the Tampa-2 defense, tackles are supposed to be big and take up space in the middle, but they're also expected to be able to penetrate and break down the interior of an offensive front, not simply require double-coverage and take away inside running lanes.

So the saga of Williams continued Wednesday, as he worked out alone while his teammates practiced together. Defensive coordinator Mike Tomlin may have helped fuel the fire by saying that everyone is a little upset over the recent turn of events that got Williams on the physically unable to perform list.

"It's disappointing for me, it's disappointing for his teammates and it's disappointing for him," Tomlin said Wednesday. "We've got one standard here -- in the preseason and everything else. As of right now, he's not up to snuff."

Whether calculated or not, Andy Reid had a similar practice of singling out veterans in training camp for not following rules or not being in top condition. It would appear that Williams is that player for Brad Childress this season.

But Williams' agent has done little to smooth the matter over, saying he'd rather have his client on the PUP list than risk being injured in "meaningless" preseason games.

Obviously the coaching staff doesn't view the games as meaningless and, until he returns, neither should P-Will.

THURSDAY NOTES
* The Vikings settled their dispute with former vice president of player personnel Fran Foley. Terms were not discussed. Foley was seeking the full amount of the deal he was promised when he signed this spring and was fired months later. The settlement avoids the case going to league arbitration.
* After the Rams lost out on Michael Bennett Tuesday, they came back by signing former Viking Moe Williams Wednesday. Williams will back up starter Steven Jackson since it appears Marshall Faulk is headed for retirement.
* The Vikings are reportedly interested in Rashaun Woods, a wide receiver who was part of the huge WR class of 2004. Woods, who was taken with the 31st pick in the draft by the 49ers, was traded to the Chargers earlier this year and was released earlier this week.
* Due to heavy rains in the Mankato area, the morning practice Wednesday was forced inside. The Vikes were able to return outside for practice in the afternoon session.