Rogers and Williams: Busts?

[racosun]

It is just preseason, but as of now the Lions have #2 overall pick Charles Rogers and #10 overall pick Mike Williams listed as being on the third string. Both have had their problems with the team, but both hold an immense amount of talent too. Rogers is one failed drug test away from a 1-year ban, and Williams has been frequently late to meeting and practices, and is always overwieght. Of the two, Rogers has the most to lose. He's been telling the media that he's got his head on straight, and that he's busting his tail and just waiting for his chance to play. The coaching staff has been saying otherwise, saying that the recievers who have the best practices are the ones on the first-string unit.

Rogers may have more talent and pure athleticism than star wideout Roy Williams, but is either always injured or suspended for one thing or another. His first few games in the league were amazing, and he made some really spectacular catches while blowing right by cornerbacks. He's missed nearly every game since, either for suspension or lackadasical play. Mike Williams seems lazy, and it really showed that he took a year off from football. He supposedly had been working with Chris Carter before he was drafted, but there is no way of telling by watching him play. He runs soft routes, drops balls, and is beginning to be a liability on the field. Are they busts? Do we cut them and move on? Is Matt Millen to blame for the horrible scouting he did on these guys? State your opinion.

[ATLFalcons]

True, both have had their problems, but you can't judge players busts if they've played less than 5 years. They have a lot of time to live up to those Top 10 picks. And remember Joey Harrington was their quarterback, I think Jon Kitna can bring the best out of these young recievers.

[racosun]

While it's true that they both still have time to avoid a "bust" label, that time might not be with the Lions. The obvious #1 receiver is Roy Williams, then we brought in Corey Bradford to be the #2 guy. After that, there's converted DB Mike Furry, who played with Mike Martz in St. Louis last season, the former all-pro kick returner Eddie Drummond, Glen Martinez, and Scotty Vines. Add in Mike Williams and Charlie Rogers, and the Lions now have eight guys taking snaps. We know that Roy Williams, Bradford, and Eddie Drummond are locks to make the team. One would think that the other two spots would go to Mike Williams and Rogers, but there are rumblings to the contrary.

I normally like the sports sites at mLive.com, but the Lions have what is my opinion to be a hack in Tom "Killer" Kowalski giving us updates on the off-season and preseason camps. He seems to have a personal vendetta against Charles Rogers, and it appears that Kowalski doesn't like what he's seen from Rogers so far and doesn't expect him to make the team. I think that's crazy. He also thinks it's quite possible that Mike Williams gets cut, or demoted to last string. While I disagree, he's the one at the camp and with insider access to the team. He could be right. But how does that make Matt Millen look if the new coaching staff were to cut TWO of his first-round recievers? And how would it look if they both excelled with new teams?

I agree with you, that it's too early to label them busts, but that is was Kowalski seems to be saying is happening. No matter how poorly they practice (I think Kowalski is overblowing that situation), it would be really hard to see the Lions cutting or trading Williams and Rogers to make room for a Mike Furry, Glen Martinez, or Scotty Vines. Vines was with us last season, and is a heck of a practice player, but hasn't produced anything on the field during actual games. Rogers is the opposite, he's a big-time gamer who tends to practice with less intensity. This offense is actually perfect for Rogers, he could be All-Pro if he becomes a starter again. I believe the Lions will stay in their ever-lasting rut if they make a dumb decision such as ditching a talent like Charles Rogers and/or Mike Williams.

[football junkie]

It's a little too early to write them off just yet. They might turn out to be busts for the Lions. Take a look at Cris Carter's early career. Things didn't turn out too bad for him. But he had to get off the Eagles and find a place in Minnesota where he could flourish.

Mike Williams had a reputation coming out of USC that he was a product of that offensive system. Maybe the Lions should have listened.

Charles Rogers needs to stay healthy. And who knows how much the injuries of the last three years have eroded his skills.

Matt Millen is a genius isn't he? Isn't it great he's still in charge of the Lions?

Who takes WRs with a team's first pick in the draft three years in a row? I was seriously waiting for him to do it again this year....and the Detriot Lions select Chad Jackson!?

[ATLFalcons]

I don't think the Lions would waste money so soon on Rogers and Williams and they haven't had enough time to prove what they can do. But then again Matt Millen calls the shots.

[racosun]

It's not looking too good for Charles Rogers. He missed some practice time lately, and also missed that last preseason game against the Browns. I still think it would be a bad move on the Lions part to cut Rogers loose, as I believe he still has loads of talent and potential. Some have suggested that he may be tanking right now to earn his freedom from the Lions and start fresh somewhere else. If they do cut him, he'll get snapped up quickly, and given proper playing time will flourish in the league. He's got Randy Moss talent, but unfortunately he also has Randy Moss habits (like smoking the reefer). Supposedly he's off the stuff now, but he's still one bad drug test away from losing an entire season. I think that really worries the Lions. It's too bad, too, since this Mike Martz offense is perfect for him.

[racosun]

Well, Rogers survived the first round of cuts, but it still doesn't look good for the old chap. In the final pre-season game, he played one series (10 plays) and had one catch for three measely yards. After the game, he took off his jersey and handed it to a fan, saying to the media that it was time to do that. Marinelli wanted him to go up to him and demand some playing time. He would have gotten it. Instead, he sulked around the sideline like a little kindergartner. I guess by cutting Rogers, the Lions will take a cap hit of $8 million over the next two years. They're wasting more than that on the third-string QB (Josh McCown).

As for Mike Williams, he ain't much better. He's expected to make the final cuts, since the Lions reallly can't afford to pay so much in cap penalties for cutting to very high (especially Charles) draft picks so soon into their contracts. Either Glen Martinez or Shawn Bodiford will replace Rogers on the roster.

[tigers527]

My prediction for Rogers....He eventually (at the very last minute, a putting the screws in, as it were, for not giving back the money) gets cut. Charles Rogers then gets signed by the Oakland Raiders (he has Raider written all over him). His first three games he goes sick (something like 6 TD catches and 400 yards), as all the coverage will be shifted toward Moss. Then he gets busted with "the weed" and spends the rest of the season up in Toronto with Rickey Williams...Checking into next years Raider training camp weighing a jelly doughnutt fueled 265 lbs, he tries his hand at Tight end but ends up busting for good. Plays 2 more seasons with the Argos, as the pot laws are so much more forgiving in Canada. Then opens a small botique in Windsor specializing in alligator shoes.......or something close to that. LOL

[racosun]

My prediction for Rogers....He eventually (at the very last minute, a putting the screws in, as it were, for not giving back the money) gets cut. Charles Rogers then gets signed by the Oakland Raiders (he has Raider written all over him). His first three games he goes sick (something like 6 TD catches and 400 yards), as all the coverage will be shifted toward Moss. Then he gets busted with "the weed" and spends the rest of the season up in Toronto with Rickey Williams...Checking into next years Raider training camp weighing a jelly doughnutt fueled 265 lbs, he tries his hand at Tight end but ends up busting for good. Plays 2 more seasons with the Argos, as the pot laws are so much more forgiving in Canada. Then opens a small botique in Windsor specializing in alligator shoes.......or something close to that. LOL

He got cut, so far everything is holding true!

[tigers527]

He got cut, so far everything is holding true!


Maybe I should put a link to the Raiders site, so they will know what's coming?....so be it.

[ATLFalcons]

The Lions think Charles Rogers is a bust, IMO he isn't. If Falcons would have been patient they would have had a #1 caliber (I'm not saying he is) reciever. Vick throws to Rogers, TOUCHDOWN!!! Where is he going?

[racosun]

It'll be interesting to see how well Mike Williams performs this season. He must know that he's got a bull's eye on his head, placed by the high-strung coaching staff. With Rogers no longer able to share any of the doghouse load, BMW needs to step it up or he's the next big name to go. I still find it hard to believe that guys like Mike Furrey, Shawn Bodiford, and Corey Bradford are better than Mike Williams and Charles Rogers. Only time will truly tell if this is a huge coaching blunder made by yet another first-year head coach, or if it was the right thing to do at the right time. Either way, Matt Millen looks more and more like the dumbass everybody (except William Clay Ford Sr.) claims he is.

Many members of the media are finding it even more surprising that Rogers didn't get claimed on waivers. The fools, of course Rogers would clear waivers. He's got the contract of a #2 overall draft pick, and a lot of baggage to go along with it. Now that he's cleared waivers, someone will sign him. He's far too talented to not play pro football. Maybe this whole "getting cut" thing will put a big chip on his shoulder, and he'll become the beast every Lions fan thought he'd be when we drafted him. He'll probably get a one-year deal for a meager price, with possible incentives included for good play and behavior. It's not too late for Mr. Rogers to dominate his neighborhood.