Scouting Report: Roy Williams

Scouting Report: Roy Williams
by Tom Kowalski
Friday May 23, 2008, 6:02 AM

Mike Itchue | MLive.com
Detroit Lions wide receiver Roy Williams has all the tools to be an elite receiver in the NFL, says Lions Insider Tom Kowalski, but it's up to him to prove he is this season.Ed. Note: Compare Tom Kowalski's 2007 scouting report on Detroit Lions wide receiver Roy Williams with this year's report below.

ROY WILLIAMS

2008 Scouting Report

It's hard to tell at precisely what point Williams bailed off the Martz bandwagon last year, but it definitely happened. There's no question that Williams became a better receiver with Martz's coaching and Williams was absolutely driven to become one of the league's elite receivers but there was a snapping point and their relationship soured.

Maybe it was because Williams got tired of being the whipping boy for the offense's problems - Martz has always placed more blame on his receivers than his quarterback. Regardless of when or why it happened, it happened and Williams will benefit by Martz's departure.

Every player is motivated in different ways and there's no question that Williams can only be pushed so far. He definitely responds more productively to sugar than sarcasm. It's not that the new coaching staff will be "easy'' on him, but they won't constantly hammer away at his minor imperfections, either.

Williams should have an excellent season this year and not only because he's playing out his contract. The scheme will focus more on getting the ball to the outside receivers and, with Calvin Johnson on the other side, Williams should get more opportunities. Williams is entering the prime of his career, he's smarter and stronger than he's ever been but there's one key to his game that remains the most important: His focus. If Williams goes into every week with sharpened concentration, he's going to have a monster year. If he doesn't, he'll stay the kind of player who makes First Team on the All-Potential Squad, but not much more.

There are some suggestions that Williams is simply playing out the string and his focus is more on finding a new team next year than it is anything else. The Lions are aware of this and they know the way to reach Williams isn't with words or pats on the back. The Lions believe they can keep Williams in Detroit - and happy - if they become a strong team on the rise - and one that will make a mark in the league and also start showing up on some prime time telecasts.

Williams is going to get his money, that isn't the issue (and the Lions will be willing to pay handsomely for a Pro Bowl type player - even with Johnson's hefty contract on the other side).

As it was last year, how good Williams becomes this year is almost totally up to him. He has the skills - and enough talent around him - to be dominant. Now we'll find out how much he really wants it.


Roy has talent, size, and work ethic which is a rare combination in sports. He is a great reciever and I believe he will be a probowler this year with a healthy Calvin Johnson opposite him. With a more balanced offense and a healthy CJ how good will he be without constant double teams?