Saturday, October 4, 2008
Lions' Williams doesn't anticipate trade
Receiver says he doesn't want to go, and he isn't sure what he would bring Lions on the open market.
John Niyo / The Detroit News
ALLEN PARK -- Roy Williams isn't quite sure what to expect at Ford Field on Sunday, when the Lions face the Bears in the first home game since last week's firing of team president Matt Millen.
"I've been wondering what the fans are gonna say now," Williams said. "If things were to get out of hand, who are they gonna fire now? They can't say 'Fire Millen' no more. So I'm wondering what the new chant is gonna be."
Trade Roy?
Well, he's aware that's a possibility with the Oct. 14 trade deadline looming. Martin Mayhew, who has assumed Millen's general manager duties, said last week he had no plans to shop the Lions' fifth-year receiver. But that hasn't stopped the trade speculation about Williams, who is in the final year of his contract.
"Everybody has their opinion," Williams said, smiling. "That's fine. I have my opinion. That's why I love this country. I don't know what the percentage of fans is that really doesn't want me here, or (how many) just want to trade me -- knowing I'm good enough to be here -- just to get more players in.
"But I feel like I've done enough for this football team and for this community to be here and be loved. You know, because all I want to do is win."
Still, with all the losing the Lions have done lately, it's possible -- though hardly likely -- that Sunday could be Williams' last home game at Ford Field.
"You know what? I never thought about that until you just said it," Williams said Friday. "But I don't think (it will be). I hope it's not. But you never know. Somebody will have to make a business decision."
Williams, the Lions' in-house fantasy football guru, was asked if he'd trade himself for a first-round pick from, say, the Cowboys.
"For this organization?" he said.
"I don't know, man. I don't even know if I'm worth a first-round pick, to be honest. That's what the fans don't understand. I might be a second- or third-round pick."
He's currently a second option in the Lions' passing game. But that's something he has said repeatedly he doesn't mind, playing opposite Calvin Johnson, last year's No. 2 overall pick who already is among the NFL's emerging young stars. Johnson has 17 catches this season and has been targeted about twice as many times as Williams (32 to 18) in the first three games.
"I've got eight catches in three ballgames," said Williams, who has eight receptions for 113 yards and a touchdown. "That's not very good. At all. I just want to help this team win, man. And I don't feel that three catches a game is gonna help this team win. If we were 3-0 (or) 2-1, you wouldn't hear me say a word.
But we're 0-3 and I get five balls a game. Throw No. 11 the ball and see what happens."
That might happen Sunday as the Lions alter their approach on offense.
Quarterback Jon Kitna said Friday he expects more three wide-receiver sets against the Bears, something offensive coordinator Jim Colletto also seemed to acknowledge Thursday when he vowed to be more aggressive with the play-calling.
Earlier this week, Williams was asked about his future on a conference call with Chicago reporters.
"My plans are to finish out this season," said Williams, who is in the final year of his contract. "I know the trade deadline is coming up in two weeks, I believe. My mind-set is I'm going to be a Detroit Lion for the next 13 weeks."
Told Friday some interpreted that to mean he expected to be playing elsewhere next season, Williams was surprised.
"Oh, my gosh," he said, shaking his head. "We've got 13 more weeks to play. The fans will take it how they want to take it. I'm here. I want to be here. Some people don't want me here.
"That's just the way it is."
