rurbaniak
08-02-2006, 02:30 PM
ALLEN PARK -- Detroit Lions coaches were not trying to kill wide receiver Mike Williams, it just looked that way.
With the temperature in the mid 90s and the humidity high, the Lions practiced for 90 minutes on their outdoor fields Tuesday afternoon. It was their 10th practice in five days -- all in pads and helmets -- of hot weather conditions. By the middle of the workout, it was clear that the players had hit the wall. Their body language revealed a team that was hot, exhausted, sore, tired and miserable.
At one point during practice, Williams took off his helmet, shoulder pads and jersey in an effort to cool down -- something no other player attempted to do. Team trainers, though, determined he was no worse off than anybody else and, after Williams suited back up, he went back to work.
At one point during practice, Williams took off his helmet, shoulder pads and jersey in an effort to cool down -- something no other player attempted to do. Team trainers, though, determined he was no worse off than anybody else and, after Williams suited back up, he went back to work.
During practice in hot conditions, receivers will usually run a play or two -- rarely more than two in a row -- before coming out. It's done to keep the players fresh and to get all 11 wide receivers in camp into the offensive rotation.
When Williams returned, though, the coaches had him run five consecutive plays. After the third play, he walked toward the sideline -- it's located about 20 yards behind the line of scrimmage -- when he saw the coaches and tapped his chest in a manner that suggested "Me again?"
When that was confirmed, Williams turned and jogged toward the huddle. After he ran his fifth play in a row, he came out for a short period before going back in. After running two more plays, he raised his arm to show that he wanted to come out. Another receiver ran into the huddle while Williams headed to the sideline, but the coaches sent Williams right back in again.
Williams ran every play seemingly without complaint and was clearly exhausted by the end of it. He ran through every pattern and even attempted to block a defender downfield if the pass went to a different receiver. Afterward, Williams sat on a cooler and trainers applied cold towels to his head and neck.
As they do with all players, the trainers monitored Williams throughout the practice. If he had showed any signs of health problems, they would have pulled him out.
It's team policy that coaches aren't available for interviews after the afternoon practice and, as Williams walked toward the air-conditioned locker room, he didn't look like a player who was willing to stop and chat.
What's the Odd's on him being cut? :weary:
With the temperature in the mid 90s and the humidity high, the Lions practiced for 90 minutes on their outdoor fields Tuesday afternoon. It was their 10th practice in five days -- all in pads and helmets -- of hot weather conditions. By the middle of the workout, it was clear that the players had hit the wall. Their body language revealed a team that was hot, exhausted, sore, tired and miserable.
At one point during practice, Williams took off his helmet, shoulder pads and jersey in an effort to cool down -- something no other player attempted to do. Team trainers, though, determined he was no worse off than anybody else and, after Williams suited back up, he went back to work.
At one point during practice, Williams took off his helmet, shoulder pads and jersey in an effort to cool down -- something no other player attempted to do. Team trainers, though, determined he was no worse off than anybody else and, after Williams suited back up, he went back to work.
During practice in hot conditions, receivers will usually run a play or two -- rarely more than two in a row -- before coming out. It's done to keep the players fresh and to get all 11 wide receivers in camp into the offensive rotation.
When Williams returned, though, the coaches had him run five consecutive plays. After the third play, he walked toward the sideline -- it's located about 20 yards behind the line of scrimmage -- when he saw the coaches and tapped his chest in a manner that suggested "Me again?"
When that was confirmed, Williams turned and jogged toward the huddle. After he ran his fifth play in a row, he came out for a short period before going back in. After running two more plays, he raised his arm to show that he wanted to come out. Another receiver ran into the huddle while Williams headed to the sideline, but the coaches sent Williams right back in again.
Williams ran every play seemingly without complaint and was clearly exhausted by the end of it. He ran through every pattern and even attempted to block a defender downfield if the pass went to a different receiver. Afterward, Williams sat on a cooler and trainers applied cold towels to his head and neck.
As they do with all players, the trainers monitored Williams throughout the practice. If he had showed any signs of health problems, they would have pulled him out.
It's team policy that coaches aren't available for interviews after the afternoon practice and, as Williams walked toward the air-conditioned locker room, he didn't look like a player who was willing to stop and chat.
What's the Odd's on him being cut? :weary: