Lions Challenge Jameson Williams, Love WR ‘Attacking Football’

Williams has responded well to tough coaching.

Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (9). / Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

As Houston Texans defensive back Calen Bullock came down with the fifth interception of the night for the Texans' defense, Detroit Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams had a question for offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.

The interception occurred on a deep pass intended for Williams, and he and quarterback Jared Goff appeared to be on different pages, as far as where the ball was supposed to go. Johnson explained that he has found that the young wideout responds well to being challenged, and did so after that play.

“He came to me and was like, ‘Hey, was my angle right?’ I said, ‘No, it wasn’t right. That’s not what we talked about. But, the ball’s gonna come to you in the fourth quarter here, and we need you to make a play.’ And, he responded to that call just like that," Johnson said. "I think that happens within practice, that happens in the meeting room, and it certainly happened on gameday last week for us.” 

The third-year Alabama product hauled in three passes against the Texans, with all three coming at pivotal junctures. He extended drives with third-down conversions on two occasions on Detroit's first drive, and added an impressive catch in the fourth quarter.

“We had the rough first half. Second half, we had a plan, kind of figured them out. Saw what they were doing, came out and made adjustments," Williams said. "But, the main coaching point he told me was on one of the interceptions, I came out of my route, I had the wrong angle. I came out too flat when I was supposed to go to the spot and have a higher angle. That was the main one, and I responded, made the third-down grab, a big one for the team to move the sticks.”

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With Williams seeming to appreciate the tough coaching he's received from Johnson and company, Detroit has found an effective strategy to get the most out of him.

"He's really coming on. When you challenge him on the sideline, he typically responds in a positive way," Johnson explained. "We knew, particularly with the turnovers, our margin for error had gone down, and so he needed to make that play for us at that time, and he did. But, the level of confidence in him and his hands and his detail continues to rise."

Johnson wasn't the only one impressed with Williams' efforts, as head coach Dan Campbell also praised his clutch performance.

“Yeah, I loved it. That was good to see. He went in there, it felt like he attacked the football. He really made two outstanding catches," Campbell said. "One back-hip catch behind him, and then the other one over the middle, where he’s just getting sandwiched and catches that ball over his head and takes it all the way down for the catch. Those were big-time plays for us. Both of them explosive plays.

"So, it was good to get him back and to feel like, OK – you didn’t feel like you’re starting all over with him. That’s a good feeling, that’s what we anticipated, that’s what we hoped for, ‘Hey, he’s going to be alright, he’s going to pick up where he left off.’ And, he certainly did that. So, love where he’s at right now.”

Williams was able to make an impact in his first game back after a two-game absence. Rather than ease him back into the fold, the Lions allowed him to hit the ground running in his return.

As a result, Williams was in position to make multiple big plays when the Lions looked his way.

“Just being prepared. When your number’s called, you’ve got to make a play no matter the circumstances, if you’re getting hit in the front and back," Williams said. "You’ve just got to make a play. It was big for us, we were just making our comeback. We’re trying to win the game, so every play’s got to be made when somebody’s number (is) called. So, that was just my thing. I felt like I had to make a play and bring it in.”