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Titans Release Plant's Mike Williams

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The Associated Press

Published: August 1, 2008

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - The Tennessee Titans released former Plant High and USC receiver Mike Williams before Thursday afternoon's practice.

The Titans signed Williams, the 10th overall pick in the 2005 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions, last Thanksgiving and told him after the season to get his weight and conditioning under control.

Williams weighed around 270 pounds when he signed with Tennessee and lost more than 30 pounds this offseason in an effort to salvage his career.

But conditioning, weight and endurance remained issues for Williams, who had unsuccessfully petitioned the NFL for early entrance into the 2004 draft.

"I just wasn't seeing the production, and when you get in a situation where you don't see the production, and you've got a young group of receivers that are emerging, I just felt like it was in our best interests to let him go at this point," Coach Jeff Fisher said. "Maybe Mike can hook on some place else."

Williams spent two seasons with the Lions. He was traded to Oakland during the 2007 draft, but the Raiders released him in October after he dropped a key fourth-down pass against the Titans in a 13-9 loss.

Lynch Couldn't Live With Part-Time Role

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. - Former Bucs safety John Lynch wasn't content playing a part-time role, not after four straight Pro Bowl seasons.

The Denver Broncos couldn't promise him the playing time he was seeking.

So Lynch and the Broncos agreed to amicably separate after four seasons.

"He wants to play every down," Coach Mike Shanahan said Thursday. "Heck, I can't blame him. I'm not going to say that he can't."

Lynch was promised nothing more than an opportunity to compete for a starting safety job when he took a pay cut in the offseason. But with the emergence of Marlon McCree, Lynch didn't see much time in the nickel or dime packages during the first week of training camp.

He tried to live with it, even accept his reduced role, and soon realized he couldn't.

"I've always been one to follow my gut and follow my heart with decisions, and when I've done that things have worked out pretty darn good for me," Lynch said. "My gut was telling me that this wasn't the right situation."

Lynch is going to explore his options, possibly signing with another team if he deems it a good situation.

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