Pretty much everyone — us included — thought the Vikings royally blew it in 2005 when they took Troy Williamson at No. 7 overall instead of USC wide receiver Mike Williams. Now, we all know Williamson didn’t exactly work out here in Minnesota and could be on his last legs after a trade to Baltimore Jacksonville. But Williams? Well, he might be an even bigger bust. From the AP:

Jeff Fisher couldn’t have been more frank with Mike Williams: Lose weight or else.

Fisher warned Williams in January that when the receiver returned for offseason workouts the numbers on the scale would say a lot about what the 10th pick overall in the 2005 draft wanted for his professional future. After all, it was Williams who found himself with his third NFL team in four seasons.

Williams responded, losing more than 30 pounds and arriving bright and early that first day eager to show off his hard work.

Message seemingly received.

“That conversation with Fisher, only a fool wouldn’t take it as such,” Williams said of the coach’s ultimatum after a recent minicamp session. “It was pretty much, `You make a commitment to be in shape when you come back or … move forward.”‘

Saying the right things never has been a problem for Williams, the 6-foot-5 receiver with great hands who looked like a can’t-miss pro during his two seasons at Southern California. Matching the words with consistent actions? That has been as much of a challenge as keeping his weight down.

The receiver who finished eighth in the Heisman Trophy voting as a sophomore with 30 career college touchdowns likely is down to his last NFL chance.

He lost 2004 when an appeals court upheld the NFL’s right to bar players less than three years out of high school and the NCAA blocked his return to USC. Now he’s been traded away by the Detroit Lions, released by the Oakland Raiders. With only 44 catches and two TDs in three NFL seasons, Williams has been a bust.

The lesson, as always: don’t take a wide receiver in the first round of the draft. You’re better off taking a skill position defensive player (like a linebacker or d-back, please) or an offensive lineman. Not exciting, but we believe it’s true. Note: photo is of Mike Williams, the self-described “comedian who enjoys bringing my Christian faith to work with me,” not the other Mike Williams. Just so we’re clear.

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