On October 14, 2008, wide receiver Roy Williams must have felt like he won the lottery. That was the day he was traded from the hapless Detroit Lions to the Dallas Cowboys, immediately sending him to a much better situation - in the hobby as well as on the football field.
The trade was also a homecoming for Williams, who starred at Permian High School in Odessa before playing college football at the University of Texas. As a Longhorn, his 6-foot-3 frame combined with his knack for acrobatic catches to catch the eyes of many pro scouts, and he was considered a lock to be a high first-round pick in the 2004 NFL Draft.
What few people expected was that the Lions would use their No. 7 pick to take Williams, as they had taken receiver Charles Rogers with the No. 2 overall pick in 2003. It turned out to be a good move. As Rogers faltered, Williams hauled in 16 touchdowns in his first two seasons, then exploded with 82 catches for 1310 yards in 2006.
Nagging injuries held Williams to less production in 2007, and the arrival of yet another promising receiver that same season (Calvin Johnson) made him a luxury to the perpetually rebuilding Lions. An 0-5 start to the 2008 campaign convinced Detroit to ship Williams to the Cowboys in exchange for three 2009 draft picks.
Williams was immediately signed to a contract extension, proof that his new team considers him an eventual successor to Terrell Owens, with whom he shares a similar blend of size and speed. As long as they can stomach the sight of him in a Lions uniform - and if they keep him straight from the Dallas safety of the same name - Cowboys collectors should add new life to Williams' assortment of 40-plus 2004 rookie cards.
2004 Roy Williams Rookie Cards
- Absolute Memorabilia # 217 - jersey card #'d to 750
- Bowman # 115
- Bowman Chrome # 221 - autographed, #'d to 199
- Bowman's Best # 127 - autographed, #'d to 199
- Donruss Classics # 241 - #'d to 500
- Donruss Elite # 187 - #'d to 500
- E-X # 44 - autographed jersey card #'d to 100
- Finest # 76
- Flair # 65 - #'d to 799
- Fleer Inscribed # 80 - #'d to 750
- Fleer Platinum # 142 - #'d to 299
- Fleer Showcase # 117 - #'d to 599
- Fleer Sweet Sigs # 76 - #'d to 999
- Fleer Tradition # 335
- Greats of the Game # 80 - #'d to 999
- Hot Prospects # 88 - autographed jersey card #'d to 350
- Leaf Certified Materials # 217 - jersey card #'d to 1250
- Leaf Limited # 217 - autographed jersey card #'d to 150
- Leaf Rookies and Stars # 267 - jersey card #'d to 750
- Playoff Contenders # 169 - autographed with announced print run of 564
- Playoff Hogg Heaven # 167 - jersey card #'d to 750
- Playoff Honors # 217 - jersey card #'d to 750
- Playoff Prestige # 156
- Playoff Prime Signatures # 146 - autographed, #'d to 99
- Reflections # 179 - #'d to 450
- Score # 377
- SkyBox LE # 67 - #'d to 99
- SP Authentic # 212 - autographed jersey card #'d to 299
- SP Game Used # 109 - #'d to 425
- SPx # 217 - autographed jersey card #'d to 375
- Sweet Spot # 286 - autographed, #'d to 149
- Topps # 320
- Topps Chrome # 175
- Topps Draft Picks and Prospects # 120
- Topps Pristine # 141
- Topps Signature # 85 - autographed, #'d to 299
- Ultimate Collection # 121 - autographed, #'d to 250
- Ultra # 203 - #'d to 500
- Upper Deck # 211
- Upper Deck Foundations # 243 - jersey card #'d to 1299
- Upper Deck Legends # 152 - #'d to 650