Picking between Charles Rodgers and Mike Williams on a list of Lions draft busts is like picking between the guy who kneed you in the crotch or the guy who broke your nose on a list of people you hate.
Though if you're a Lions fan, Rodgers and Williams rank above both those other guys on that list.
Ultimately, Williams wins because of the "insult to injury" factor.
Most know the story of Mike Williams. He attempted to follow Maurice Clarett's example (first mistake) by declaring for the NFL draft after only two years in college, despite the NFL's requirement that all players be at least three years removed from high school.
Strangely enough, the NFL bought Clarett's "because I said so" argument, and Clarett was allowed to declare. So he got himself an agent. Williams saw this and decided to do the same.
And then the NFL remembered that they actually make the rules for the NFL. Soon after, they told Clarett and Williams that no, they couldn't declare until after three years. You know, like the rules say.
Problem is, players with agents can't play for college teams. So Clarett and Williams were stuck in football purgatory (no, I'm not talking about Oakland) for a year. By the time the next draft came around, both of them had gotten completely out of playing shape. There was even some speculation that Williams had eaten his way from receiver to tight end.
That didn't stop Matt Millen from taking the kid with his first-round pick. After a total lack of production and ballooning weight (at one point, he weighed in at over 270 pounds), Williams was finally traded to football purgatory (okay, this time I'm talking about Oakland).
Oakland cut him, and that should have been the end. But no.
After three years out of the league, Williams decided he wanted to play professional football for a living. So last offseason, he hooked up with his old college coach, Pete Carroll, and tried out for the Seattle Seahawks.
And he made the team. And had a career year. And made the playoffs.
So that makes Williams the guy who showed up at your apartment, ate all your food, punched you in the face and left, only to randomly show up five years later, shoot you in the leg, then win the lottery.
