Wojo: Lions prefer character to characters

Allen Park — There are long shots, no shots and former college big shots. It's the NFL's version of a casting call, or a cattle call, and it's not easy to get noticed among all the undrafted free agents.

Lions safety Isaiah Johnson got noticed, and not just because he went to the same high school and college as Calvin Johnson, who's not related. He was Georgia Tech's leading tackler two of the past three seasons, but missed a year in between because of a knee injury. He was one of the Lions' higher-priority free agents, and while he spoke for himself Sunday, he essentially spoke for others.

"I wouldn't say I'm an underdog," Johnson said at the end of the Lions' three-day rookie minicamp. "I'd say I'm overlooked. They will find out, that's what I'll say."

NFL teams always hunt for hidden gems, but it's increasingly clear the Lions are looking for something a little deeper, too. Burned by past mistakes and troublemakers, they've turned fastidious under Jim Caldwell on character issues, and there's nothing inherently wrong with that.

The Lions deserve credit for wiping their slate clean, but in pro sports, you can't always crave a pristine slate over superior talent. Caldwell and GM Martin Mayhew will have to be judicious about this, because it's impossible to be risk-free in a league that rewards risk-taking. As much as fans grow weary of scandal and arrests, you ever hear much clamor for a pleasant 6-10 team?

Caldwell has talked a lot about character lately, and said each case would be viewed differently. He declined to discuss whether the Lions were interested in LSU offensive tackle La'el Collins, who was interviewed by Baton Rouge police after the shooting death of his pregnant ex-girlfriend. Authorities have said he's not a suspect.

Nobody drafted Collins and the Lions reportedly were among several teams who inquired about his status afterward. The Cowboys signed him to a three-year, $1.65-million deal, an incredible bargain for a first-round talent, if Collins is cleared.

No more gambles

The Lions will pick their spots, but certainly aren't interested in taking chances with rookies, drafted or undrafted. Their seven picks, starting with first-rounder Laken Tomlinson (who aspires to be a doctor), all have seemingly exemplary backgrounds.

"I think it's a positive trait, there's no question about that," Caldwell said. "I know it's a hot topic right now, but the thing about it, everybody kind of thinks that if you have character, it means you're perfect. That's far from it. … It's a growth process, it's trustworthiness, it's dependability, it's accountability, it's responsibility."

Character and talent aren't mutually exclusive, as Calvin Johnson has shown for many years. Character is a solid place to start, and it's a theme that reemerges when you inspect the Lions' undrafted rookies. Duke quarterback Anthony Boone sounds as sharp as his teammate Tomlinson. South Dakota State running back Zach Zenner was wildly productive, and hopes he can stay in the league and earn enough to pay for medical school.

Isaiah Johnson is smart, grounded, determined and (possibly) good enough to play in the NFL.

At Georgia Tech, he worked in the community, delivering leftover food from the team's training table to a nearby homeless shelter. He was honored in Atlanta with an amateur role model award.

Johnson could supply insurance in case starting safety James Ihedigbo's contract situation worsens.

Ihedigbo, who also began his career undrafted, isn't planning to show up for voluntary workouts, so the rookie will get a longer look.

"I can't really comment on that too much, but I'm just looking at the opportunity," Johnson said. "Everyone's coming in and trying to fight for theirs."

According to Caldwell, more undrafted rookies make NFL rosters than sixth- and seventh-round picks combined, and he cites the "advantage of disadvantage," as espoused by writer Malcolm Gladwell. Lions starting tackle LaAdrian Waddle was undrafted, as was tight end Joseph Fauria.

"I think some of these guys come in and they really do sense they're at a disadvantage, and they give you everything they have," Caldwell said. "They feel like they're under the gun sometimes, and thus you bring the best out in them."

Talent still matters

The caveat is, credit for good behavior only lasts if you win. Talent matters the most, right up until the point it's no longer worth the trouble.

Remember that rollicking 2011 season, when the Lions went 10-6 under Jim Schwartz and landed their first playoff spot in 12 years? Uh, remember that rollicking 2012 offseason, when the Lions tallied about an arrest a week for a stretch, seven in all? I imagine that helped convince Mayhew and ownership that wins don't always justify the means.

According to an NFL database, not a single Lions player was arrested from 2008-11, one of the best records in the league (coinciding with the worst record on the field). Then came the spate of trouble, and the transformation has been profound. Near as I can tell, every player who was arrested or involved in controversy the past four years is gone — Aaron Berry, Nick Fairley, Mikel Leshoure, Titus Young, Johnny Culbreath, Amari Spievey, Ronnell Lewis, C.J. Mosley and Rodney Austin. Yes, even Ndamukong Suh.

Many teams take risks, with spotty results.

The Seahawks drafted Michigan's Frank Clark in the second round, and now are under fire as more details surface about Clark's arrest for assaulting a woman.

The Cowboys signed Greg Hardy, who's facing a 10-game suspension for an assault case, and drafted Nebraska's Randy Gregory, who slid into the second round after failing a drug test. And they just signed Collins, who might prove to be no risk at all.

You take a chance every time you give a second chance. The Lions might be risk-averse these days, and teams might place differing values on talent and character, but the reality is, neither can be overlooked.

bob.wojnowski@detroitnews.com

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