Trash Talking

Wednesday, September 28, 2005
Lions: Notebook
Lions defend alma maters
Even though they're pros, they still pledge allegiance to colleges and talk a good game.

By Jim Spadafore / The Detroit News

ALLEN PARK -- There's some trash talking in the Lions locker room, and it's not about their next opponent, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
It's about the players' alma maters. Who has the best college team? Is it Southern Cal, Texas or Virginia Tech?
And how about surprising Michigan State?
Wide receiver Charles Rogers was doing a lot of hooting and hollering about his Spartans and their game Saturday against Michigan.
But rookie wide receiver Mike Williams was hooting and hollering the most, because his Southern California team is No. 1.
USC is fresh from a 45-13 victory over Joey Harrington's Oregon Ducks. Did Williams call Harrington during the game?
"Joey knew since they scheduled the game that they were going to lose, so there was nothing really to talk about," Williams said. "But I called him when it was 13-0. But he wouldn't answer the phone."
Said Harrington: "I didn't answer my phone at all. It was family weekend."
Williams was ready to take on all comers regarding USC. He started yelling at running back Kevin Jones, whose Virginia Tech Hokies are No. 3.
"(Virginia) Tech would go down there and lose every game," Williams shouted.
Jones just smiled.
"When it comes to USC, opponents think there's a little light at the end of the tunnel," Williams continued. "There is. It's a train.
"We have the best quarterback in the country (Matt Leinart); the best running back and the best all-around player in Reggie Bush, hands down. We have the biggest, fastest and strongest offensive line. We have a defense that's lights-out."