Williams ‘miles ahead’; Campbell frustrated with NFL rule
Jameson Williams is turning heads at the team’s Allen Park practice facility.
The Lions are excited about the second-year wideout’s potential and speed. His first season in the NFL was limited due to injury, but he’s reportedly at full strength in 2023.
As limited as his sample size has been at OTAs, he’s already impressed Lions head coach Dan Campbell.
“We’re already miles ahead with him,” Campbell said. “We didn’t even get this with him last year, he wasn’t able to do any of it. Just to be able to build from the ground up not in the season. He’s already in, here we go. Three weeks, four weeks, you see progress. He’s got a lot of room to grow and develop, and he needs this time. We’ve gotta sharpen every little thing with him. Sharpen the routes, sharpen all of it, like any of the guys.”
Among the areas he’s already shown improvement in is his route-running. At Alabama, the speedy wideout was able to use his talents to routinely beat defenders.
Now at the next level, the Lions want to see the Alabama product exhibit more versatility within his route tree.
“I think some of the biggest growth is just in his routes,” Campbell explained. “I feel like there’s a little better route detail right now than I’ve seen over the last few weeks. That was kind of a point of emphasis. He ran a couple routes (Wednesday) where, I mean, he’s hitting the afterburner and then he drops his weight, puts his foot in the ground at about 18 yards and comes back to the quarterback. Those things are pretty impressive.
“When you can use your speed not just to take the top off, but to put fear in the defense and then put your foot in the ground and (your) quarterback puts it on the rope, it’s hard to cover.”
Concerns have emerged about Williams’ maturity, given the suspension and his social media activity. Yet, those concerns aren’t present in the Lions’ team headquarters.
The second-year wideout’s season debut will be on hold. He’s set to serve a six-game suspension, as a result of a violation of the NFL’s anti-gambling policy.
“As far as the other stuff, look, he knows. He’s gotten it from everybody,” Campbell explained. “It happened, it’s an emphasis in the league right now. It’s a big thing. Our players know. We’ve tried to hammer it home, certainly we did after that point. We’ve hit it two more times, and we’ll keep doing it. But, listen, it’s happening, the suspension is happening. So, what do we do to move forward? So, in the meantime, let’s get the most work we can out of you, and then when you’re out of the building, keep putting in the work. And, when you come back, you’ll be ready to play.”
Fair catch rule
The art of the kickoff continues to evolve within the NFL. With concerns about player safety, the league approved a change to the return game.
Similar to what has already been implemented at the college level, any fair catch on a kickoff inside the receiving team’s 25-yard line will result in the ball being placed at the 25.
Detroit’s third-year coach expressed frustration at the new rule, which limits the kicking team’s ability to pin opponents deep in their own territory.
“Highly frustrating, it’s very frustrating. But, look, I don’t make the rules,” Campbell explained. “That’s a new rule, and we’ll live by the new rule. We’ll find a way to adjust, adapt and still get what we want. I hate that we continue to take away from the game, that’s what really worries me. If we’re not careful, it won’t replenish at one point. But, listen, it’s the rules. We’ll make do, and we’ll adjust.”
Gibbs’ versatility
The Lions have plenty of plans for rookie running back Jahmyr Gibbs. They drafted the Alabama product 12th overall in the 2023 Draft, with hopes of using him explosively within their offense.
However, he may not be limited to just contributing on offense during his first season.
Lions special teams coordinator Dave Fipp shared insight on how the rookie may also be able to contribute on kick returns his rookie campaign.
“That’s definitely a possibility that he does help us to some degree,” Fipp expressed.