DAVIE, Fla. (Sept. 13, 2006) -- Dolphins coach Nick Saban first met wide receiver Charles Rogers about a decade ago, when Rogers was a high school star in Michigan and Saban was at Michigan State.
They got reacquainted this week -- but there's no indication if the relationship will progress further.
Rogers, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2003 draft who was cut by the Detroit Lions on Sept. 2, visited the Dolphins during a scheduled off day for the team Sept. 12.
However, that workout apparently didn't prompt Saban to make a quick roster move: Rogers wasn't with the Dolphins when they resumed practice.
"I've known Charles Rogers since he was in the 10th grade, so I didn't have any new impressions of him," Saban said. "He's a big guy, he runs fast and he did a nice job in the workout. It was good to see him again."
Rogers did not return messages left on his cell phone.
Rogers played in 15 games and missed 33 during his three years with the Lions, who gave him a six-year contract.
His rookie year started in fine fashion, with him leading the Lions with 22 catches for 243 yards and three touchdowns through five games. But his season ended with a broken right collarbone -- and the same injury in the 2004 season-opener sent him to injured reserve.
In 2005, Rogers was suspended for four games for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy, ending the year with only 14 catches for 197 yards and one touchdown. The Lions cut him in camp, saying they were unhappy with his work ethic.
"When we bring guys in, we're evaluating not only for right now but also for the future and how we can help make our team better if on some occasion in the future we need to improve ourselves relative to any circumstance that can come up," Saban said. "It's no more or no less than that."
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