Speedy receiver eager to make debut
Coming off of ACL surgery, Chris Williams is expected to play Saturday against Roughriders
Chris Williams went about his business Tuesday in the manner expected from an allstar receiver expected to make his B.C. Lions debut Saturday.
The free-agent acquisition didn’t ease into first-team repetitions, even though he’s coming off surgery in October to repair an anterior cruciate ligament and a meniscus tear. He only started practising last week, but on Tuesday made hard cuts. He lit the afterburners and didn’t break stride in hauling in pinpoint passes from Travis Lulay.
All this knowing the real test will come against the resurgent Saskatchewan Roughriders at B.C. Place Stadium. And, that’s why he treated practice like a game. Even coach Wally Buono was impressed, and that says something.
“You still have to take it (practice) in the same mindset to be ready to play in a meaningful situation,” said the 29-year-old Williams. “We compete out here, so that’s one thing you don’t have to worry about, and we’re making all the moves that we would in a game. We’re moving. We’re cutting. We’re accelerating.
“I really missed it. It’s been a long time, and it feels like forever since I stepped on the field. It’s been a grind. Big things were expected, and expectations are high for this team. And, it doesn’t matter where I line up — I’m feeling really good and I’m going to be happy to be out there and create havoc for the defence.
“I had the same thing last year (with Ottawa). You had to pick your poison with me. I started off kind of fast (a league record of 176-, 187and 130-yard games in his first three outings) and we have the same kind of thing here — we have all-star receivers — and we can make them (opposition) pay one-on-one.
“I’ve never been selfish with demanding balls, but I expect a lot out of myself. And, it’s good that I took extra time to come back. This team is built to win the Grey Cup, and you don’t win it in August or September.”
The Lions wanted to add Williams for obvious reasons. The 5-9, 155-pound lightning bolt had 77 receptions for 1,246 yards and 10 touchdowns in 14 games with the Ottawa Redblacks last season and averaged 16.2 yards per catch. The slippery New Mexico State product also had 575 total yards after receptions to attest to his game-breaking ability.
Williams will stretch defences. He will take quick hits across the middle of the field and simply out-leg defenders. He will cause all kinds of matchup problems and provide Lulay with secondary options.
A well-worn CFL adage no longer applies in a vertical game — running to pass and passing to run — so expect Williams to either be the first option or the decoy Saturday. The Lions could ease him in or set him loose.
“The speed aspect for me is going to be different than others, and I should be OK in that department,” added Williams. “It’s just timing and getting the smoothness.”
The only minor problem will be the roster ratio. Manny Arceneaux has a minor knee ailment and didn’t practise Tuesday, and Maurice Morgan could be the other option because Williams is ready to play — even if Buono maintained an understandable level of caution.
“We want to let things unfold,” said the Lions’ coach and general manager. “You have to monitor all players, especially one coming off a major surgery. Structurally, he’s fine, but his game condition is another issue.”
Lulay won’t have an issue looking for Williams. He knows what it means to have another weapon to help avenge a 37-26 loss in Edmonton on Friday, in which he completed 22-of-26 passes for 259 yards that included two TDs and two interceptions.
Lulay knows long and sustained drives Saturday will help his secondary keep isolation-coverage challenges against receivers Duran Carter and Naaman Roosevelt to a manageable level. That’s where Williams can play a key role.
“See my smile? I’m excited,” said Lulay. “I’ve watched him from afar be a game-changer. I was excited the minute we signed him. His speed and quickness are a concern coming off injury, but you still see the bursts and to not just start, but stop and then run fast.
“The other thing that’s been a pleasant surprise is that he has a veteran presence. He has a lot of confidence and doesn’t look wide-eyed in the huddle coming off an injury. He looks very sure of himself, and it’s comforting to see as a quarterback.
“When you put Chris next to a guy like Manny, who gets a lot of attention, you just can’t overload Manny because there’s a game-changer right beside him. But, we can do a lot of things.
“We can move Chris to the slot and the challenge for us will be to see if he’s up to speed on game day and having his legs and lungs under him and what kind of load do we give him.
“But that’s a good problem to have.”
OVERTIME: Jonathon Jennings threw in the warm-up at Edmonton on Friday, but his return from a shoulder bruise is uncertain as he continues to work at gaining strength.