The Detroit Lions' voluntary offseason workout program started on Monday in order to get players into shape for mini-camp, training camp, and the next season. Although these workouts are voluntary, coaches really do expect or hope that all of the players will attend. In some cases, players don't come simply because they're working out somewhere else, such as their hometown. Most of the time though, players just don't want to be bothered this early in the year. Once mini-camps begin after the draft, that is really the time to begin getting back into football mode as training camp begins next.
Back to the subject of the Lions' offseason workout program, two players didn't come and won't be any time soon. Defensive tackles Shaun Rogers and Cory Redding, two big-name players, opted to skip the workouts. For Redding, he isn't in Allen Park to condition because he isn't even under contract. The Lions gave Redding the franchise tag, preventing him from testing the free agent market. He still hasn't signed the 1-year contract either. The same thing happened with Jeff Backus last year. Things worked out in the end with him, so hopefully the same can be said about Redding.
Shaun Rogers is absent from the workouts because he has decided to stay in Texas where he is currently rehabbing a few different injuries. Rogers had surgery on both of his knees and one of his shoulders, meaning that he is trying to get back to full health. Marinelli still wants Rogers to come to the workouts, but it doesn't look like that will be happening.