NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Jeff Fisher couldn't have been more frank with Mike Williams: Lose weight or else.
Fisher warned Williams in January that when the receiver returned for offseason workouts the numbers on the scale would say a lot about what the 10th pick overall in the 2005 draft wanted for his professional future. After all, it was Williams who found himself with his third NFL team in four seasons.
Williams responded, losing more than 30 pounds and arriving bright and early that first day eager to show off his hard work.
Message seemingly received.
"That conversation with Fisher, only a fool wouldn't take it as such," Williams said of the coach's ultimatum after a recent minicamp session. "It was pretty much, 'You make a commitment to be in shape when you come back or ... move forward."'
Saying the right things never has been a problem for Williams, the 6-foot-5 receiver with great hands who looked like a can't-miss pro during his two seasons at Southern California. Matching the words with consistent actions? That has been as much of a challenge as keeping his weight down.
The receiver who finished eighth in the Heisman Trophy voting as a sophomore with 30 career college touchdowns likely is down to his last NFL chance.
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