OT - Lions WR situation

[joeshmo]

Its boring around here so I thought I would bring up some other NFL news that caught my attention.

Lions | Drummond works with third-team offense
Wed, 31 May 2006 13:16:29 -0700

Tom Kowalski, of mLive.com, reports Detroit Lions WR Eddie Drummond worked with the third-team offense at wide receiver during the team's organized activity Wednesday, May 31.

Lions | Rogers works with third-team offense
Wed, 31 May 2006 13:15:18 -0700

Tom Kowalski, of mLive.com, reports Detroit Lions WR Charles Rogers worked with the third-team offense at wide receiver during the team's organized activity Wednesday, May 31.

Lions | Furrey works with second-team offense
Wed, 31 May 2006 13:14:54 -0700

Tom Kowalski, of mLive.com, reports Detroit Lions WR Mike Furrey worked with the second-team offense at wide receiver during the team's organized activity Wednesday, May 31.

Lions | Martinez works with second-team offense
Wed, 31 May 2006 13:14:42 -0700

Tom Kowalski, of mLive.com, reports Detroit Lions WR Glenn Martinez worked with the second-team offense at wide receiver during the team's organized activity Wednesday, May 31.

Lions | Bradford works with first-team offense
Wed, 31 May 2006 13:14:36 -0700

Tom Kowalski, of mLive.com, reports Detroit Lions WR Corey Bradford worked with the first-team offense at wide receiver during the team's organized activity Wednesday, May 31.

Lions | R. Williams works with first-team offense
Wed, 31 May 2006 13:13:35 -0700

Tom Kowalski, of mLive.com, reports Detroit Lions WR Roy E. Williams worked with the first-team offense at wide receiver during the team's organized activity Wednesday, May 31.

Lions | M. Williams misses OTA
Wed, 31 May 2006 13:13:34 -0700

Tom Kowalski, of mLive.com, reports Detroit Lions WR Mike Williams (unknown) did not participate in the team's organized activity Wednesday, May 31, due to a minor injury.

So Mike Williams is out with an unknown injury(again), Rogers is playing with the 3rd stringers with 2 unknowns Mike Furrey and Glenn Martinez playing ahead of him. Add that to the fact that both arent the WR's that Martz covets. How long before 1 or both are cut from the team. I say Rogers is cut or traded this year, and Williams is cut next year when his bonus wont hit the cap as hard. Then Millen gets fired only to make ownership look stupid by having to pay 3 more years of Millens contract extension they gave him not to long ago.

 

[jf-08]

What a train wreck.

 

[abomb]

Nice find Joe. It's nice to see some other teams be "the cardinals" from now on.

 

[Russ Smith]

Interesting, not that long ago Martz said he was absolutely blown away by Mike Williams in workouts, said he was much more athletic than he realize, his quickness "blew me away". That was only 5 days ago, makes you wonder what happened in between?

I'm betting Mike winds up with the Titans at some point reunited with Norm Chow.

Agree on Rogers, he'll be gone pretty soon it would appear.

Just hope for their sake Roy can finally stay healthy.

 

[seesred]

When do we play these guys?

GBr
40

 

[Cardsmasochist]

Found this article from Charles Robinson


Dealing away former No. 3 overall pick Joey Harrington for some belly-button lint was bad, but Detroit Lions fans had better be bracing for some more hand-wringing. Word is offensive coordinator Mike Martz isn't enamored with former first-rounders Charles Rogers and Mike Williams, and that neither will be in the top-three rotation at wideout when training camp begins. While Williams has time to turn around concerns about weight and dedication, the situation is getting dire for Rogers, who could be headed for the trading block in the coming weeks.

That brings to mind the mediocre reality of the first three drafts of the Matt Millen regime. Given the minimal three-year waiting period for assessment, Millen's first three drafts – which should account for the core of Detroit's roster – have left a lot to be desired. Of the 26 players selected between 2001 and 2003, 11 are still with the team. And of that 11, only defensive tackle Shaun Rogers has materialized as a Pro Bowl player. Of the three first-round picks in that span, Harrington has been traded, Rogers is headed in the same direction and tackle Jeff Backus is in stalemated negotiations for a contract extension.


Speaking of Martz, the scuttlebutt in scouting circles is that the quarterback that has caught his eye this offseason isn't Jon Kitna or Josh McCown. Instead, Martz has been telling friends he's been very impressed with 2005 fifth-round pick Dan Orlovsky. Martz apparently believes that Orlovsky has the tools, intangibles and leadership to be successful – but also thinks he can't be trusted to consistently make the right reads at this stage in his career. Kitna may enter 2006 as Detroit's starter, but keep an eye on Orlovsky as the future No. 1.

 

[ARZCardinals]

it's not just the GM's fault for picking these guys.

It's the coaches and management's fault for not MAKING THEM stay in shape. Coaches can demand 'voluntary' practices and workouts by cutting worthless players.

Cutting Kendall and L.J., though both were decent/good players, set a tone of 'get on board with the TEAM concept I'm bringing in here or get the f' outta here.'

Notice the TEAM EFFECT that has taken place...we've never seen this before.

 

[Redheart]

...Cutting Kendall and L.J., though both were decent/good players, set a tone of 'get on board with the TEAM concept I'm bringing in here or get the f' outta here.'

Notice the TEAM EFFECT that has taken place...we've never seen this before.

Great post but...jeeze...did you have to say the names that shall not be mentioned?

 

[cdex99]

Speaking of Martz, the scuttlebutt in scouting circles is that the quarterback that has caught his eye this offseason isn't Jon Kitna or Josh McCown. Instead, Martz has been telling friends he's been very impressed with 2005 fifth-round pick Dan Orlovsky. Martz apparently believes that Orlovsky has the tools, intangibles and leadership to be successful – but also thinks he can't be trusted to consistently make the right reads at this stage in his career. Kitna may enter 2006 as Detroit's starter, but keep an eye on Orlovsky as the future No. 1.

Orlovsky was a big reason why UCONN was so successful coming from DI-AA into DI-A. His senior year was not as productive as his junior year, but I can see him having success in Detroit.

 

[SunsTzu]

Doesn't seem that long ago that the Lions recieving core was considered by many to be superior to the Cards.

 

[PortlandCardFan]

The thing that sucks the most is the Lions have beat the Cards the last 3 meetings IIRC!!!!


SUCKS BIG TIME!!!!

 

[cdex99]

The thing that sucks the most is the Lions have beat the Cards the last 3 meetings IIRC!!!!


SUCKS BIG TIME!!!!

That still stings about as much as losing to San Fran. twice in 2004.

 

[joeshmo]

And the situation gets even more sticky.

http://www.mlive.com/lions/stories/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1149329410277740.xml&coll=1

He was told to go home for the last 2 days of OTA's becuase the team told him to go home after breaking some sort of team rule or rules.

Last year, Williams was fined often for two continuing problems: being overweight and being late to meetings. A source close to the situation said weight was not an issue this time.

 

[vinnymac]

i like mike williams. i believe once he starts to mature a little he going to be great. i still can't get that one handed catch in the endzone in 2003 out of my head. he has the physical tools he just needs the mental tools.

 

[joeshmo]

http://www.mlive.com/lions/stories/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1153352414130770.xml&coll=1

Mike Williams fined more than $400,000 last year
Thursday, July 20, 2006
By Tom Kowalski

According to a source close to the situation, Williams was fined more than $400,000 last year for violating team rules, mostly for arriving late to meetings and being overweight.

And maybe the saddest part is, he Charles Rogers, Scottie Vines, Glenn Martinez and Mike Williams are to battle for the final two roster spots at No. 4 and No. 5 on the depth chart.

First rounders fighting it out for the 4th and 5th WR spots on the depth chart?

 

[kerouac9]

What is most interesting to me is that a lot of writers (including ESPN.com) are talking like the Lions offense working under Martz was a fait accompli. As far as I can tell, neither McCown nor Kitna are Kurt Warner or Marc Bulger, and while I like Kevin Jones, his catching skills aren't anywhere close to what Faulk brought to the Greatest Show on Turf.

I don't understand why the Lions are so continually overrated.

 

[Cbus cardsfan]

Mike Furrey is a nice story.He's from a local high school in Hilliard,Ohio(my sisters went there) which is not known for producing any big time athletes. He tried to walk-on at OSU but saw the depth chart and wasn't going to see the field. He transferred to Northern Iowa and has made it in the NFL. It's pretty nice to see a guy like that make it based solely on hard work and determination because he's only about 5'8 175 pounds and not a speed burner by any means.

 

[Twist18]

http://www.mlive.com/lions/stories/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1153352414130770.xml&coll=1



And maybe the saddest part is, he Charles Rogers, Scottie Vines, Glenn Martinez and Mike Williams are to battle for the final two roster spots at No. 4 and No. 5 on the depth chart.

First rounders fighting it out for the 4th and 5th WR spots on the depth chart?

I think Vines has been more productive than either Williams or Rogers.

 

[nurnay]

What is most interesting to me is that a lot of writers (including ESPN.com) are talking like the Lions offense working under Martz was a fait accompli. As far as I can tell, neither McCown nor Kitna are Kurt Warner or Marc Bulger, and while I like Kevin Jones, his catching skills aren't anywhere close to what Faulk brought to the Greatest Show on Turf.

I don't understand why the Lions are so continually overrated.

Agreed. They have a LOT to prove. I don't care if it's Martz running the show. Still, fantasy-wise, I'm intrigued. I could see Kevin Jones and Roy Williams being top 10 players at their position.

 

[MastersofCombat]

I heard on the radio that the heaviest fined player in the league last year was Micheal Williams and it was all internal. He was fined over 400k for tons of times he never showed up to practice. The team made him buy a house right next to their facility so he wouldnt be late... it didnt help!

Now if it gets into game 3 of this season with no Mike Williams they will be calling it one of the biggest bust of all time, with Ryan Leaf.
He was projected to go 3 but his stock took a huge hit for not playing his senior year and just sitting out. Was drafted 10 the following year by the Lions