The release of receiver Mike Williams doesn't come as a total surprise.

He was never able to contribute consistently last season, was slow to recovery from surgery this offseason and if nothing else, coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider have shown that patience may be a virtue, but it's not part of their football team's M.O.

Williams' release is disappointing, however. His 2010 comeback was nothing short of remarkable as the former first-round pick -- who had been out of the league entirely for two years -- caught 65 passes to lead the team. He was never going to be mistaken for a track star, but he had size, great hands and an engaging personality. The man is very likeable. He had an ability to cut to the quick and speak honestly. On the subject of the NFL's comeback player of the year in 2010, he pointed out that Leon Washington was much more deserving considering the severity of the broken leg Washington had to recover from. All Williams did, he said, was recover from being out of shape and sitting on his couch.

The problem was production in general, and durability in particular. He was heavier this past year. That was evident. And he spent all this offseason in his recovery from ankle surgery, and while Carroll said he expected Williams to be ready to return, there was always the question of how ready he would really be given the lack of workouts this offseason.

Friday's announcement provided an answer. The Seahawks are ready to move on. They have Sidney Rice slated as the top receiver, Doug Baldwin and Golden Tate emerging not to mention veterans Deon Butler and Ben Obomanu not to mention younger prospects like Kris Durham and Ricardo Lockette.