Oh, the Detroit Lions franchise, mired in controversy and rebellion.  It must be a tough time for the Lions, your "franchise" quarterback has made decisions that might have made Tommy Maddox look like Tom Brady.  Your "franchise" running back has been average but injured for nearly half of the season.  On top of that your 3 "franchise" wide recievers that you have wasted the last 3 first-round picks on, have been hurt or in another world.  Oh yeah, how could I forget that your GM has not yet given the fans a team that might contend in one of the weaker divisions of the league.  But, it's funny that through all of these wide receivers, there is a bright spot and he was not a first-round pick.  Meet Scottie Vines, #10, Wide Reciever for the Detroit Lions.

Scottie who?  Well every player needs a story and here is a quick bio on Scottie Vines.  Vines is entering his 2nd season in the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of Wyoming.  Vines, at 6'1, was coming from a small school and at his height, he was at a disadvantage and did not get drafted.  Vines has been the Lions "split-end" reciever for the last few games as former first-round picks Charles Rogers and Mike Williams have been inconsistent and in Rogers case, suspended and seldomly-used (remember David Terrell?).  Last year he was behind Roy Williams, Rogers, Kevin Johnson, Tai Streets and Az-Zahir Hakim on the depth chart and had a total of 3 catches in 2004.  With Streets and Hakim's departure from the Lions, Vines was set for a season where he had a chance in the slot but with the risky drafting of former USC standout Mike Williams, Vines dropped down a notch on the depth chart.  But with injuries to both Williams and Kevin Johnson and a suspension to Rogers, Vines has emerged as one of the more reliable targets in the Motor City. 

Yes, Vines is not a Pro-Bowl reciever or a contender for MVP but given the opportunity, Detroit fans should be proud that he is still fighting.  Word is that the Lions are trying to get back some of Rogers salary and that could figure into a possible release.  Roy Williams is their best reciever and rightfully so but with the lack of depth and Mike Williams also looking questionable, don't be shocked if Vines can get that first TD (he has 32 receptions so far) and a good 3rd-year, the typical coming out of a reciever.

This is my first article, my name is Joe and I am 14, comments appreciated.