Saturday, December 15, 2007
Rogers' view: I'm slumping
Mike O'Hara / The Detroit News
ALLEN PARK -- Shaun Rogers agrees with his critics on one point -- he's in a slump.
The issue of whether the Lions nose tackle has gotten out of shape the last half of the season is another matter.
Rogers admitted to being in a slump in a brief interview Friday with WXYT, the flagship station for Lions broadcasts. Rogers, however, said his weight and conditioning have not contributed to the decline in his performance.
"I'm the same guy I was earlier in the season," Rogers said. "That really hasn't, in my opinion, had much to play on it. I weigh the same. Physically, I'm the same. I'm trying to stay healthy -- normal bangs and bruises throughout the season. Right now, I'm in a slump I have to get out of it."
Rogers played well the first half of the season and was a dominating presence at times. Take the 44-7 victory over the Broncos. Rogers had five tackles, 2 1/2 sacks and returned an interception for a touchdown. But there was an immediate drop-off -- for Rogers and the Lions, who have lost five straight.
Since that game Nov. 4, Rogers has five solo tackles and no sacks. He has been taken out more frequently than the first half of the season, an indication his conditioning has deteriorated.
"I really don't have much reaction," Rogers said to the criticism thrown at him. "It is what it is. My play hasn't been up to par. This has been going on since I've been here, for whatever reason. I'm the guy people look to when things go wrong. I can handle it."
Rogers is listed at 340 pounds on the official roster. There have been reports, never confirmed by Lions officials, Rogers has gotten as heavy as 380.
"I just think that as the season has worn on, he can't practice as much," coach Rod Marinelli said during his weekly news conference Monday. "We can't condition him as much with the knees, and so we just need to limit some of the reps."
Marinelli, however, would not totally absolve Rogers for his conditioning.
"I didn't say it's not his fault," Marinelli said.
LINK
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll...712150343/1126
Rogers' view: I'm slumping
Rogers' view: I'm slumping
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