Friday, June 13, 2008
It's been an offseason with many receivers around league unhappy about their contracts.
Mike O'Hara / The Detroit News
ALLEN PARK -- In an offseason of discontent for many NFL receivers, Calvin Johnson and Roy Williams act and sound like happy summer campers.
They ended the official phase of the Lions' offseason program on an upbeat note Thursday, with the promise it can carry over to the regular season.
Johnson is building on a rookie season that was below expectations, mostly because of a back injury. Williams is steering clear of any flak caused by receivers who have threatened boycotts and asked for trades because of unhappiness over contracts.
"Don't put me in that mix," Williams said. "I'm sitting fine. ... I've always cooperated with the Lions -- done my part trying to help this team win. I'll continue to do that."
Williams is in the last year of a five-year contract, signed in 2004 when the Lions drafted him in the first round. He has been consistent in saying he's not concerned with his contract, which will pay him $5.8 million in salary and bonuses this year.
Johnson, a regular in the offseason program which began March 17, missed some recent practices because of what he called "a family issue."
Johnson went home to Atlanta, where his father, Calvin Sr., underwent heart surgery.
"He's doing fine now," said Calvin, back at workouts Tuesday.
The offense has been scaled back with a change in offensive coordinators (from Mike Martz to Jim Colletto).
And with that, the Lions expect to run more and use more two-receiver formations. That should play to the strength of Johnson and Williams, both big, physical players with speed.
"We learned a lot," Johnson said of Colletto's system. "We're a lot better route-runners. Every position has gotten better."
Johnson, who caught 48 passes and had five touchdowns last season, also will play at 230 pounds, at least 5 fewer than his rookie season.
Extra points
Quarterback Jon Kitna expects help from rookies on both sides of the ball.
"Obviously, Calvin was pretty exciting, but it seemed like the guys they got in the draft this year really have a good football IQ," Kitna said. "Both sides. And our defensive backfield -- the new guys they added, it's a lot of fun competing against them."
... Kitna and Williams aren't conceding their status as the team's best bowlers to Johnson, who won the high-game award with a 243 Wednesday.
"It's a conspiracy theory, just like the NBA," Kitna said. "They want to see the face of the team, up-and-coming guy."
Said Williams: "As far as our league goes, I'm the commissioner. ... He can get his own belt."
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