Wednesday was a shocking day for two of the Detroit Lions' most talented players, as wide receivers Mike Williams and Charles Rogers were both announced as third-stringers. The news isn't a shock to the Detroit coaching staff, though. Rookie head coach Rod Marinelli and offensive coordinator Mike Martz have both been extremely disappointed in the troubled pair of playmakers.The 6-foot-4, 229-pound Williams has all kinds of ability, but his lack of work ethic has been troubling to the Lions organization. In fact, former Detroit head coach Steve Oakland Raiders jersey
Mariucci recently said Williams needs to "get with it." Truthfully, he's right. The former USC star has been consistently late for team meetings and other functions, which has stymied his chances of becoming a productive pro.As a rookie last season, the 22-year-old was a major bust to the Lions' fans, coaching staff and, of course, general manager Matt Millen. The 10th overall selection in 2005 finished a 5-11 team campaign with just 29 receptions and one touchdown.Rogers, meanwhile, has been one of the largest draft disappointments in recent memory. Millen used the second overall choice on the ex-Michigan State standout in the 2003 draft. In the 6-3, 220-pounder's final season with the Spartans, he had 68 catches and 13 touchdowns. After three injury-riddled seasons in Detroit, Rogers has 36 catches and four Philadelphia Eagles jersey
touchdowns. How's that for disappointment?Out of a possible 48 regular season contests, Rogers has played in only 15. He's been bogged down by injuries and even a substance-abuse suspension. Rather than being the savior of the Lions' receiving corps, he's been a major handicap to what seems like a permanently basement-dwelling franchise. Choices like Williams and Rogers are why fans want Millen out of a job. Frankly, who can blame the Detroit loyalists for their anger? Since Millen took the helm of the organization in 2001, it has compiled a comically bad 21-59 overall record.The Lions' current depth chart sees unrecognizable names like Glenn Martinez and Mike Furrey ahead of Williams and Rogers. Martinez, a former undrafted free agent out of Saginaw Valley, has one career reception. Northern Iowa's Furrey, also formerly undrafted, spent the first three seasons of his career with Martz in St. Louis. He's played some defensive back in the past, and has 21 career catches. For the Detroit Lions to climb out of the gutter in 2006, they'll need Pittsburgh Steelers jersey
both of their highly touted wideouts to finally stand up and at least perform decently. If the duo comes up short in preseason, their NFL careers could very well be over. The team's four exhibition games will be paramount to Williams and Rogers.--.
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