Jameson Williams Gets Physical at Training Camp, Involved in Skirmish

Jameson Williams did not shy away from physicality at practice Monday.

The tensions were quite elevated on Day 8 of Detroit Lions training camp. 

With the defense bringing the physicality with regularity, Detroit's offense did not back down, including wideout Jameson Williams. 

Detroit's second-year wideout became involved in a heated skirmish with undrafted rookie free agent cornerback Starling Thomas, in front of a packed house at the team's Allen Park practice facility. 

After celebrating excessively in his face following forcing an incompletion, Williams did not take too kindly and swatted at Thomas' helmet forcefully. 

During drills, offensive and defensive players pushed and shoved each other, following the physical play of defensive backs during and after the rep concluded, which wideouts did not take too kindly to. 

“I just look at it as football. Physical play, we got over it, next play," Williams said following practice. "Nothing too much.

"It’s football. We know we can’t do that in a game, it’s 15 yards," Williams explained further. "It’s just practice, though. Things get rowdy and things happen. But we talked it out, we’re good.”

No block, no rock

On the receiving end, Williams did not have his best practice, but other aspects of his game, including blocking and releasing off the line of scrimmage, are steadily improving and are impressive. 

Later in practice, Williams took the advice given to him by offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and levied a solid helmet crunching block in space on veteran defensive back Will Harris, springing running back Jahymr Gibbs for a huge gain. 

Johnson recently told Williams, "No block, no rock." 

With joint practices coming up against the New York Giants, the former No. 12 overall pick is eager to showcase what he has learned and what he can accomplish. 

“I just worked on my game completely," Williams said. "So, you’re gonna see a lot coming from me.”

Chemistry with Jared Goff 

While Williams was diplomatic regarding his chemistry with Goff, the duo still needs many, many more reps together to be fully in sync. 

Williams is able to release well of the line of scrimmage, but the connection with Goff is no where near as polished as it with other receivers and its clear to see with each passing practice. 

“I feel the chemistry is good," Williams replied, when asked by All Lions about the on-field chemistry with the veteran signal-caller. "We’ve got good chemistry and  everything’s been good. We got some time in the offseason and we are back now. Things have been looking real good. We’ve got some good things going on.”

Jameson Williams levied a hell of a block today! Ben Johnson told him: No Block, No Rock pic.twitter.com/Pxatv9cdaj

— DetroitSportsPodcast (@DetroitPodcast) July 31, 2023

Love for rookie Brian Branch

Former Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Brian Branch has caught the attention of several of his teammates, including the speedy wideout. 

“I love his game, man, said Williams. "He’s been out here, he’s been working. Even when Brad (Holmes) drafted him, I texted him, 'He’s a dog.' I love B.B. When we played at ‘Bama together, he showed me something that you won’t see from a lot of DBs. He can play in the box and he can come out here and guard someone. That’s real good, and I love BB’s game."