Millen: Williams Isn’t Going Anywhere

Posted by Stephen Rhodes on March 8th, 2008 filed in News, Opinions

                        

The Detroit Lions are trying to once and for all squash any rumors involving the trading of wide receiver Roy Williams; according to team president Matt Millen on Friday, Williams isn’t being shopped around in any trade talks.  Williams has been the talk of trade speculation in Philadelphia where the Eagles are looking to upgrade their receiving corps - especially giving quarterback Donovan McNabb a big-play target.

Millen also added, “I’ll listen to any offer.  I’ve said that I’ll listen to any offer for anybody.  In the end, we want Roy Williams.  That’s the deal — whatever the terms are.”  Even head coach Rod Marinelli piped in about Williams and the possibility of trading him, basically saying that Williams is not up for trade possibilities and that he envisions Williams and second-year WR Calvin Johnson being a top WR duo in the NFL - which could very well happen. 

What works in the Lions’ favor is that Williams’ salary for the upcoming season is relatively low for a top-tier WR - $3.724 million; if anything, it is a talent issue and even at that, Williams isn’t the second coming of Jerry Porter or something.  so in essence, Detroit has a bargain-basement top-tier WR in Williams and a star-in-the-making in Johnson.  The Lions, after this upcoming season, can apply the franchise tag to Williams, which gives the team the option of either re-signing or trading him. 

While it is true that Williams has been a tad incosistent as of late, he still provides the Lions with the big-play threat that the team needs in order to be successful; in 4 seasons, Williams has caught 245 passes with a 14.9 YPC average with 28 touchdowns.  He is also a 2-time Pro Bowler.  I guess the bottom line here is that it would be a big mistake to trade Williams - although Millen claims that he isn’t for trade, this is Matt Millen we’re talking about here, so anything is possible.