LIONS’ WILLIAMS ON THE MARKET?

Despite an 0-3 start and a little thing called the salary cap that prevents them from paying top dollar to two elite wideouts, the Lions claim that they don’t plan to trade receiver Roy Williams. On Thursday, new G.M. Martin “I’m Sad My Longtime Friend And Boss Got Fired But I’m Happy I Got His Job” Mayhew announced the team’s intentions, but at the same time indicated that he would listen to any offers. That tells us that the Lions are trying to get the word out that Williams is available, without losing any leverage. As the season already looks like a lost cause for the Lions and given the presence of several high-end teams who might be able to utilize Williams’ services in search of a Super Bowl title, franchises like the Cowboys, Eagles, and even the Giants (especially with the Plaxico Burress situation) would be wise to call Mayhew, and Mayhew would be wise to take the best offer he can get. Williams is in the final year of his rookie deal. Second-year receiver Calvin Johnson is an emerging force. As the Cardinals have learned the hard way, it’s impossible to pay two high-end receivers market value. The other possibility would be to keep Williams through 2008, slap the franchise tag on him in February, and trade him for a 2009 draft pick. The risk with that approach is that, if Williams suffers a serious injury over the next 13 games, he’d have far less trade value.