NFL

Tampa's Williams finally on the field

By wire services
Published August 2, 2005

ALLEN PARK, Mich. - Mike Williams has a football team again.

More than 18 months after his last collegiate game, the Lions' first-round pick and former Plant High standout signed a contract Monday and ended a brief holdout.

"It's a relief to be here," said Williams, who sat out the 2004 season after unsuccessfully challenging NFL draft rules. "I'm ready to go."

After a court ruled in February 2004 that running back Maurice Clarett was eligible to play in the NFL, Williams hired an agent and tried to follow him. But an appeals court overturned the ruling and upheld the league's right to bar players who had been out of high school less than three years.

The Southern California wideout, the No.10 overall pick, flew into Detroit on Monday morning, signed and took a physical, then worked out briefly with rookie quarterback Dan Orlovsky in the afternoon.

"I hated being the last rookie into camp, especially since I was the first pick, so I have the most expectations," Williams said. "I just want to get back to what I've done my whole career: winning."

Williams missed four days of practice, including Monday morning's session, so he has some cramming ahead of him.

"He's got some catching up to do because he's missed four nights of installations of the offense," Lions coach Steve Mariucci said. "He's going to work hard on that, and he'll be in pads for practice Wednesday morning."

Williams thinks his biggest challenges will come on the practice field. "Most of my catching up is going to be out here," he said.

OWENS IN CAMP: Terrell Owens reported to training camp in Bethlehem, Pa., ending months of speculation about whether the disgruntled All-Pro receiver would hold out because of a contract dispute with the Eagles.

Owens, wearing a camouflage shirt and cap, didn't speak to reporters and walked away bobbing his head to music on his headphones. Agent Drew Rosenhaus accompanied Owens and said he will meet with coach Andy Reid and president Joe Banner today to discuss his client's contract.

"All the talk, all the rhetoric in the offseason is meaningless," Rosenhaus said. "He's here. He's not happy with his contract, but he's a professional and he'll do his best to help the Eagles win a championship."

CHARGERS: Outside linebacker Shawne Merriman, the 12th pick in the draft out of Maryland, agreed to a five-year deal after he missed the first week of training camp. Merriman caused a stir when he stayed away from all offseason workouts on the advice of his agent, Kevin Poston, because of concerns he'd get hurt before he got a contract.

COLTS: A week after threatening to get no closer to Tokyo than a stop at the Benihana restaurant chain, running back Edgerrin James said he will join his teammates on the roughly 14-hour flight that leaves today. Indianapolis plays the Falcons in the preseason opener Saturday. "I didn't have many options," he said. "I'm going to go ahead and get it over with."

PANTHERS: Linebacker Chris Draft had an asthma attack that forced him to leave practice early. Draft said he would sit out the second practice of the day while he recovered.

RAVENS: Rookie linebacker Dan Cody sprained a right knee ligament during the first practice. There is no timetable for his return.

REDSKINS: First-round pick Jason Campbell agreed to a contract, ending a one-day holdout. The No.25 overall selection from Auburn will sign a five-year deal today and report for afternoon practice, agent Joel Segal said. Campbell is expected to be the No.3 quarterback behind starter Patrick Ramsey and Mark Brunell.

[Last modified August 2, 2005, 03:00:22]