coldarmy20

ALLEN PARK -- Coach Rod Marinelli has gotten tough, and Mike Williams is paying the price.

Williams, the Lions' second-year receiver, was kept out of mini-camp Friday in a disciplinary move by Marinelli.

"I excused him on a team issue," Marinelli said.

The Lions ended the three-day camp with one practice Friday. There were double sessions Wednesday and Thursday, but Williams did not take part in any of the practices.

Williams apparently is recovering from a slight hamstring injury. He rode a stationary bike on the sideline, as did other injured players, in a conditioning exercise.

Marinelli would not expand on his "team issue" statement to explain why Wililams had been disciplined. Williams was not available for comment Friday.

"That's how I'm going to leave it," Marinelli said.

Williams' rookie season was disappointing as the Lions' first-round draft pick in 2005 out of Southern Cal. He played 14 games, with four starts, and caught 29 passes. His only touchdown catch was in the opening-game win over Green Bay.

Williams was disciplined by former coach Steve Mariucci early in his rookie season for being late to meetings.

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ABuccsFan

From the Detrot Free Press online...........


NOTEBOOK: Marinelli said he excused wide receiver Mike Williams from Friday's practice because of a team issue. Does that mean he disciplined Williams for some reason? "I'll just leave it at those words," Marinelli said. "They're perfect for me. I excused him on a team issue." Are the coaches frustrated by or disappointed in Williams' lack of participation? Offensive coordinator Mike Martz complimented Williams' speed and quickness Thursday, then added: "I just haven't seen him for about six weeks. He's been injured or whatever." Martz said Friday that Williams had some "minor injuries." Williams exercised on the sidelines with the injured players during Wednesday's and Thursday's practices. Marinelli said the coaches expected Williams to be at the workouts next week. Williams' work ethic was called into question last season because he was late for a meeting in training camp and overweight during the season. He said May 17 he had given up bad habits, had brought his weight down and was excited to come to work. He was unavailable for comment Friday. ...

Professor

at this point it makes no difference, because he is hurt anyway.

Professor

there is already another thread about this, Ill move it.

ABuccsFan

I don't know how I missed it, I checked first. Maybe just scrolled too fast.