Pat Williams doesn't trust the Vikings, but should we have faith in him?

Pat Williams will turn 39 years old on October 24 of this year, maybe before he even plays a single game of football in 2011. That is, provided he doesn't retire.

There are a lot of "if's" surrounding the Vikings' (former) nose tackle these days. But one thing's for certain — he's old.

One half of the Williams Wall is set to be a free agent when the lockout is finally lifted, and Williams recently made comments to Judd Zulgad of the Star Tribune about his future with the team.

A few months ago, Williams told the Star Tribune via text message he would not be back, and that he had trust issues within the organization. Well, Leslie Frazier talked to Williams since then and when the lockout was lifted for a brief time, the coach told Williams he wants the veteran to return, per Zulgad.

As of five days ago, Williams put his chances of returning to the Vikings at 50-50.

So let's tip the scale one way or another for Williams. Do you want Pat Williams to return to the Vikings?

This is the massive man who, alone, defined an era of the Minnesota Vikings defense. Kevin Williams is a terrific player, a defensive tackle who can stop the run and rush the passer. And Jared Allen and Ray Edwards don't get enough credit for their effort in run defense. But Pat Williams was the unique nose tackle that occupied blockers and filled gaps. How many times did you smile after seeing Pat shake a blocker and just belly flop on top of a running back to tackle him?

He played mostly on just first and second downs this year, recording 30 tackles — his lowest total since his rookie season — and zero sacks, which has happened only one other time in his 13-year career.

The whole run defense revolves around him and the defensive line when they're rolling on all cylinders. Penetrate the backfield: that's amazing. Get some pressure, occupy blockers and allow the linebackers to make plays: that's expected of great run defenses. Then there's what happened in 2010: allow more than 100 yards per game. Minnesota dipped to 9th in the League in that category, which is not terrible, but not what we've come to expect. Opposing teams gashed Minnesota for big chunks of yards.

At this point, the Vikings need to decide if there is still value in keeper Williams on the team. Frazier seems to believe so, as he told Williams as much when the lockout was lifted temporarily.

Minnesota needs to be careful here, though.

These are the types of decisions that define franchises in the NFL. Organizations like the Patriots, Eagles and Steelers are known to have no loyalty to players who cannot help them win. They won't give an old player a contract for what he has done for the team in the past. Earlier this offseason Ike Taylor made comments that he understood the Steelers' protocol with contracts, and it wasn't good news he hadn't received one before now.

Letroy Guion may be ready to assume more responsibility and playing time, and he'll get the first four weeks of the season to prove himself.

When Pat Williams is himself, no one currently on the team can do what he has done for each of the past six years. I'm not sure if Guion is that type of nose tackle, maybe his effort and motor will make up for his lack of size compared to Williams. And Jimmy Kennedy isn't that caliber of player.

Keeping Williams as a first and second down specialist may stunt the development of Guion, who came on at the end of last season, especially, under Frazier. Maybe Williams is at the point in his career, though, where he is in just 20 plays per game, sees spot duty here and there and plays in goal line situations.

That's not an unrealistic expectation. That way, when does get playing time, we'll see a fresh 39-year old, 317-pound defensive tackle.

It's also evident that Williams is a well-liked guy, and keeping him around could be good for the locker room.