Getting fresh start with Alouettes, Williams aims to reclaim glory days
At his best, receiver Chris Williams has been one of the Canadian Football League’s most dynamic players — producing four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons and exceeding 1,200 yards three times.
He was on an incredible pace in 2016, one that would have put him near 2,000 yards had he remained healthy. But late in the season, Williams sustained a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee and, arguably, hasn’t been the same since.
But the 30-year-old is getting a fresh start with the Alouettes, following last December’s trade from British Columbia. He’s determined to prove he’s the Williams of old — and not just an old Williams.
At the NFL combine, many years ago, he was timed in 4.28 seconds over 40 yards — and said he could duplicate that time today.
“I finally had an off-season to train. I’m in good shape. I feel explosive and I’m running at a good clip,” he said after Wednesday’s practice.
The Als, coincidentally, launch their regular-season Saturday night against the Lions at BC Place. Williams, who was acquired for defensive-end Gabriel Knapton, said he doesn’t hold a grudge. But he’d like to start well, both for himself and his new team.
Williams signed a two-year contract with the Lions as a free agent in February 2017, but was limited to nine games last season, catching only 38 passes for 415 yards. He scored once.
“You feel personally like they gave up on you a little too early, but that’s the nature of pro football. I’ve been on eight teams in nine years,” he said, laughing. “It happens. There’s no ill will, but you best believe I’m going to go out there and do my job, try to kill them any way I can.
“I would have done it anyways.” The graduate of New Mexico State University broke into the CFL with Hamilton in 2011, as a receiver and return-specialist, after signing with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in ‘09. He was named the CFL’s outstanding special-teams player in 2012, returning 78 punts for 1,117 yards while scoring five touchdowns.
Williams parlayed that into NFL opportunities with Cleveland, New Orleans and Chicago. Indeed, he played seven games with the Bears in 2014 before returning to the CFL the following season.
He joined a team that went 2-16, albeit as an expansion franchise. So coming to the Als, 3-15 in 2017, won’t disturb Williams.
“Everyone has an excuse when you’re 3-15,” he said, shrugging. “That’s the nature of pro football. Especially in the CFL, you see teams going from last to first place. It happens.
“It was a fresh start to a team that really wanted me. That’s the most important thing. It’s nice when a team wants you and knows your value.
“I want to go out and do the best job for me and my teammates. The rest will take care of itself.”
Nobody’s predicting the Als will ascend from last to first in the East Division. In fact, many media pundits already are predicting a second straight last-place finish. But Williams believes he, B.J. Cunningham, Ernest Jackson and Eugene Lewis all have the capability to exceed 1,000 yards this season.
“We’ve had down years, but there’s a lot of talent in this receiving corps and the whole offensive unit,” said Williams, who has survived in the CFL despite being only 5-foot-9 and 155 pounds.
“You’ve got to be special. Go out there, make plays and protect yourself. Be really crisp. There’s a reason I was able to do it this long. I was running crisp routes, creating that separation and not taking a lot of hits. It’s been conducive to staying on the field.”
Vancouver hasn’t been kind to the Als over the years, the team winning only three games there since 2000, one that was played at Empire Field.
After their last victory there, in 2015, head coach Tom Higgins was fired the next day.
“It’s important to create that winning culture and mindset,” Williams said. “This team has struggled. We want to turn that around as fast as possible. Getting off to a good start would really jump-start that, but it’s not everything.
“If we don’t win, it’s not like we’re going to have a losing season. But it would be nice to get off to a good start and start building that confidence.”
Notes: Jeff Mathews, the last quarterback to lose to the Als, has been signed by Montreal. He has spent three seasons in the CFL and was with Toronto in 2017. He started for the injured Ricky Ray last Aug. 11, completing eight of 12 passes for 67 yards, in a 21-9 defeat. The Als are down a pivot with an injury to Matt Shiltz. Mathews might dress against the Lions as a short-yardage specialist; he has nine career rushing touchdowns . ... Guard Ryan Bomben (hand) and rush end John Bowman (ankle) both remain questionable.
You feel personally like they gave up on you a little too early, but that’s the nature of pro football.