Lions not willing to give up on Titus Young just yet

Echoing the comments Detroit Lions head coach Jim Schwartz made earlier this week, general manager Martin Mayhew made it clear on Wednesday that the team isn't ready to give up on wide receiver Titus Young just yet. While many have called for the Lions to release Young after he misbehaved multiple times in 2012, the team isn't at that point just yet. They certainly aren't ready to concretely include Young in their future plans, but they also aren't ready to end his time in Detroit.

During his end-of-season press conference, Mayhew talked about Young, who stopped by the facility on Wednesday with his parents to have his exit physical. Young spoke with Schwartz and met with Mayhew while at the facility, according to Dave Birkett. Later in the day, Mayhew explained where he's at with Young right now. From the Free Press:

"If it was just based off this year you might not consider bringing him back," Mayhew said. "But if you go back to 2011 and you look at his ability to function in this offense, his ability to get along with his teammates, the production that he gave us as a receiver, he’s demonstrated the ability to be a very productive player in this league."

Mayhew went on to say that Young has "shown that he can be a productive teammate" and "he’s also shown that he can be difficult to work with." Basically, the Lions are playing a waiting game right now since they've seen both the best and worst of Young in the past. In all likelihood, they will evaluate his behavior in the coming months and come to a decision on his status with the team before the 2013 NFL Draft. Trading him certainly would be the best option if Young doesn't get his act together, but if he doesn't get his act together, who would actually want to give up anything for him? At that point, the Lions would probably just release him and move on for good.

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