Lions cut WR Rogers, No. 2 pick overall in 2003

Updated: September 2, 2006, 10:22 PM ET
Associated Press

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- This is not what the Detroit Lions or Charles Rogers had in mind when the wide receiver was drafted second overall three years ago.

After being cut Saturday, his career in Detroit ended with just 36 receptions for 440 yards and four touchdowns along with two broken collarbones and a four-game suspension.

First-year coach Rod Marinelli was unimpressed by Rogers' work ethic and production during training camp, when he was slowed by a sore knee. The new staff also did not have a history with Rogers like team president Matt Millen, who drafted the former Michigan State star and gave him a $14.2 million signing bonus.

Rogers simply wasn't deemed good enough to make Marinelli's team, which is valuing hard work over talent.

"We picked the men that are right for this football team," Marinelli said. "It's behind us. I wish him the very best. We just move on."

Marinelli said Rogers didn't show up Saturday morning at the team's practice facility in Allen Park. Marinelli said director of pro personnel Sheldon White left two messages for Rogers and informed his agent, Kevin Poston, of the team's decision.

"Maybe this is just one of those wrong-place, wrong-time things," Millen told The Associated Press on Saturday night. "I was a big fan of Charles when I drafted him, and I still am. He just needs to decide to use all of his skills."

Poston said he can start finding a new home for the receiver Sunday if he is not picked up on waivers with his current contract.

"After 24 hours, we will start contacting teams and I'm sure teams will be contacting us," Poston told The AP. "He's a 25-year-old receiver with a lot of talent."

Messages seeking comment were left on Rogers' cell phone.

In 2003, the Lions and Rogers agreed to a six-year contract -- with a team option for a seventh season -- that could've been worth almost $55 million.

Detroit drafted Rogers one year after taking quarterback Joey Harrington, the No. 3 pick overall, envisioning the duo leading it to success. Since winning the 1957 NFL title, the Lions have won only one playoff game.

Rogers was cut five months after Harrington was traded to Miami for a conditional 2007 pick.

Perhaps in large part because Rogers and Harrington did not produce as hoped, the Lions are a league-worst 21-59 since Millen, a former linebacker and TV analyst, became an NFL executive for the first time in 2001.

"They have to be what they're supposed to be," Millen said three years ago in an interview with The AP. "They can't do it alone, but in order for us to get where we want to get, we can't look back and say we missed with those guys."

Rogers played in 15 games and missed 33 during his three years with the Lions.

He lived up to the hype on Sept. 7, 2003, when he became the first Detroit rookie to catch two TDs -- on his first two receptions -- in his first game. He led the team with 22 catches for 243 yards and three TD receptions through five games. Then, Rogers had his first setback when he broke his right collarbone during a bye-week practice, a season-ending injury.

On Detroit's first drive the next season, he had the same injury and had season-ending surgery.

Last year, Rogers had five receptions for 77 yards over the first three games before encountering his next obstacle. He was suspended for four games for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy, and finished the season with 14 receptions for 197 yards and a TD.

"I will make no excuses for what I did, and I accept full responsibility for my actions," Rogers said in a statement released by the team when the suspension was announced last October. "I let down a lot of people, mainly myself."

The Lions released a total of 21 players, including tackle Kelly Butler and linebacker James Davis. The team also placed safety Idrees Bashir on the injured reserve. Davis started 29 games the previous two years and Butler started all 16 last season. Other players released were RB Artose Pinner, S Marcus Demps, WR Devale Ellis, DT Damian Gregory, C Brock Gutierrez, LB James Hargrave, DE Claude Harriott, CB LaMarcus Hicks, WR Glenn Martinez, G Fred Matua, CB Dee McCann, DT Lynn McGruder, TE Sean McHugh, DE Marcus Parker, TE Dave Pearson, DT Cleveland Pinkney, CB Harrison Smith and T Clint Stickdorn.


Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press

This story is from ESPN.com's automated news wire. Wire index

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