Rogers, Pinner cut

[racosun]

The final cut-down was today, and to no one's surprise, former #2 overall pick Charles Rogers was not on the final roster. He was said to have lazy practice habits, and lacked a desire to be a star and help his team win. I'm sure he'll be snapped up very quickly, and could be a superstar yet. He certainly has the talent.

A bit more surprising is the releasing of RB Artose Pinner. With the drafting of Brian Calhoun this summer, Pinner was expendable, and the Lions tried to deal him. Artose has loads of talent, and he could turn out to be another Reuben Droughns somewhere down the road. It simply didn't make much sense to keep Pinner around, since we wouldn't really be able to find any playing time for him. Kevin Jones is the starter, with Calhoun and Shawn Bryson giving him breathers. Another player who we tried to trade but eventually released was back-up center Brock Gutierrez, who Cleveland showed interest in after they lost their starting center, LeCharles Bentley, for the season.

Here's the list of the final cuts, made today:

DetroitLions.com - The following players were released today: T Kelly Butler, LB James Davis, S Marcus Demps, WR Devale Ellis, DT Damian Gregory, C Brock Gutierrez, LB James Hargrave, DE Claude Harriott, CB LaMarcus Hicks, WR Glenn Martinez, G Fred Matua, CB Dee McCann, DT Lynn McGruder, TE Sean McHugh, DE Marcus Parker, TE Dave Pearson, DT Cleveland Pinkney, RB Artose Pinner, WR Charles Rogers, CB Harrison Smith, T Clint Stickdorn.

A couple more surprising ones (to me, at least) are James Davis and Kelly Butler. The Lions are beat up at LB, so ditching Davis doesn't really make such sense at this point in time. The same can be said for the O-Line and Butler. He could have at least been a back-up, after we gave him all those starts last season and watched our QB's get killed during his learning process. He looked good in preseason. I expect both of those guys will be picked up soon.

[racosun]

Rogers (and his large contract) cleared waivers, as expected, but Artose Pinner was picked up by the Minnesota Vikings. Minny has a pretty decent O-line, and it wouldn't surprise me to see Pinner blossom and come back to haunt the Lions. That line made stars of ordinary backs like Michael Bennett and Ontarrio Smith, and Pinner is very comparable to both of them talent-wise. He's also a good-character guy, something the Vikings need much more of. Now that the O-line is even better with the addition of former Michigan Wolverine and Seattle Seahawk Steve Hutchinson, Pinner looks to have landed in a very favorable position. I hope he doesn't hurt us too bad. If given proper playing time, he could be very useful for the Vikes.

Rogers, on the other hand, is now a free agent, but has some tall hurdles to leap before things start to turn around for him. Teams are said to be nervous about his agent, Kevin Poston, as well as the possible one-year drug suspension that would come with one more failed drug screening. Personally, I think Rogers has better overall talent than Roy Williams, but his head hasn't been firmly planted on square shoulders. He could turn his attitude around easily, and still has time to become a superstar. The Miami Dolphins, who also took another failed high first-rounder off our hands this offseason, is said to have some interest in Rogers. He was recruited to play for Michigan State by current 'Phins coach Nick Saban, and Saban could be just the guy to turn this great talent around. I think Daunte Culpepper would love having Rogers running routes for him.

I'll post updates on Rogers as I find them, at least until he gets signed.

[CCN]

Rogers (and his large contract) cleared waivers, as expected, but Artose Pinner was picked up by the Minnesota Vikings. Minny has a pretty decent O-line, and it wouldn't surprise me to see Pinner blossom and come back to haunt the Lions. That line made stars of ordinary backs like Michael Bennett and Ontarrio Smith, and Pinner is very comparable to both of them talent-wise. He's also a good-character guy, something the Vikings need much more of. Now that the O-line is even better with the addition of former Michigan Wolverine and Seattle Seahawk Steve Hutchinson, Pinner looks to have landed in a very favorable position. I hope he doesn't hurt us too bad. If given proper playing time, he could be very useful for the Vikes.

Rogers, on the other hand, is now a free agent, but has some tall hurdles to leap before things start to turn around for him. Teams are said to be nervous about his agent, Kevin Poston, as well as the possible one-year drug suspension that would come with one more failed drug screening. Personally, I think Rogers has better overall talent than Roy Williams, but his head hasn't been firmly planted on square shoulders. He could turn his attitude around easily, and still has time to become a superstar. The Miami Dolphins, who also took another failed high first-rounder off our hands this offseason, is said to have some interest in Rogers. He was recruited to play for Michigan State by current 'Phins coach Nick Saban, and Saban could be just the guy to turn this great talent around. I think Daunte Culpepper would love having Rogers running routes for him.

I'll post updates on Rogers as I find them, at least until he gets signed.
It's a shame Rogers didn't work out, injuries and otherwise. I've always liked when a local (state of Michigan) product excels for a Detroit pro team, but that seems to be the exception to the rule in most cases.

[racosun]

Hey there CCN! It's good to see some more "locals" from BBF coming over. With the kids back to school now, and this forum being virtually empty (for now), I really feel like I'm talking to myself all the time. As long as Donald doesn't come over and start giving some insane man-love for the Silverdome, this will be a fun forum also.

I agree with you about Rogers. I'm not big on Lions history (who is, really?), but it is cool when a local kid goes from high school to the pros all in his home state. I really thought Rogers was going to be the next Randy Moss, without the crazy head. I was just a little off there. Seriously, his first few games were fantastic. I still rank one of those TD's he caught in his first few games as one of the best I've ever seen. That one where he was completely horizontal, flying through the air as stretched out as anyone could possibly get. Part of this whole ordeal is Rogers part, but still another large part is that Rogers is being used as the scapegoat for all of Millen's mistakes. Did you see how the media reacted to Rogers being cut? Most simply shifted thier focus to Mike Williams. He's next. It was Joey before that, and so on and so forth back to Andre Ware and beyond. Fact is, it doesn't really matter who the Lions draft, or who drafts them, it all boils down to ownership and their complete lack of football knowledge.

[CCN]

Hey there CCN! It's good to see some more "locals" from BBF coming over. With the kids back to school now, and this forum being virtually empty (for now), I really feel like I'm talking to myself all the time. As long as Donald doesn't come over and start giving some insane man-love for the Silverdome, this will be a fun forum also.

I agree with you about Rogers. I'm not big on Lions history (who is, really?), but it is cool when a local kid goes from high school to the pros all in his home state. I really thought Rogers was going to be the next Randy Moss, without the crazy head. I was just a little off there. Seriously, his first few games were fantastic. I still rank one of those TD's he caught in his first few games as one of the best I've ever seen. That one where he was completely horizontal, flying through the air as stretched out as anyone could possibly get. Part of this whole ordeal is Rogers part, but still another large part is that Rogers is being used as the scapegoat for all of Millen's mistakes. Did you see how the media reacted to Rogers being cut? Most simply shifted thier focus to Mike Williams. He's next. It was Joey before that, and so on and so forth back to Andre Ware and beyond. Fact is, it doesn't really matter who the Lions draft, or who drafts them, it all boils down to ownership and their complete lack of football knowledge.
Tiger Stadium is one thing, but to have an obsessive attachment to that suburban monolith is certifiable. Hell, I'll bring the net myself.
I remember when the Fords brought Millen in from the broadcasing booth. It was called such a bold move, and Millen's ideas at the time seemed like things would get beter than the mediocrity the Lions seem to have peaked at the last 40-so years. Barry Sanders even thought about coming back, allegedly. But excitement on paper never seems to translate on the field, does it?
Let's see exactly what kind of genius Mike Martz is. The big guns he inheirited are getting disarmed, so we'll see how much of it is the system and how much of it is the players.

[racosun]

Former Lion Charles Rogers has worked out for at least two teams so far, but has yet to be offered a contract. It was said that Tampa Bay and Miami have interest in Rogers, who still has loads of potential. Rogers fired his agents recently (the Poston brothers), perhaps because of the lack of offers, or lack of quality offers. Most teams try to avoid dealing with the Postons, as they have a nasty reputation throughout the sporting world.

[racosun]

The still-unsigned former Lion recently did an interview on the NFL Network. Here's Mike O'Hara's take:

By Mike O'Hara, The Detroit News
Former Detroit Lions wide receiver Charles Rogers ended a month-long silence since being released on the final cut in an interview that includes an admission by Rogers that a positive test for marijuana caused the NFL to suspend him for four games in 2006.

"I tested positive for marijuana," Rogers said in an interview with the NFL Network's Total Access show. "That's something I could deal with. I feel more ashamed for me, my family, for the organization. You know, it was a situation where, hey, I (bleeped) up. And, I can admit that."

The NFL network e-mailed a transcript of the interview Thursday.

Rogers was drafted second overall by the Lions in 2003 after a sensational career at Michigan State. Two broken collarbones interrupted his career, and he was released on the final cut this year. He has not signed with another team.

Rogers spoke on several issues, including the following:

* On why a team should take a chance on him now: "You can't teach talent. Talent is God gifted, and, I got the talent. But, I still got the willpower to put in the work to do whatever it takes. Can I help a team win? Most definitely."

* On the Lions filing a grievance to collect more than $10 million of his $14.4 million signing bonus because of the positive drug test and resulting suspension: "You go to work everyday, they are patting you on your butt. And, as you run on the field, they pat you on the butt, and, 'Hey, I still want that 10 million dollars, though.' So, that's hard to go out there and work for a team."

* On being cut by the Lions: "I think I needed a change of scenery. I think it was time for me to go. Everything is a mind thing in Detroit. You know, it's like, mind-games, instead of straight to the point, being honest and saying hey, where I'm at and how you feel about me."