Lions Fans Livid Jameson Williams Compared to Charles Rogers
Welcome to the NFL, Jameson Williams.
It's a world that involves putting a young, former first-round draft pick under the microscope and examining every facet of the individual's behavior, both on and off the field.
Detroit's second-year wideout getting suspended for six games, whether the NFL gambling rule is fair or not, was the lighter fluid being doused on a growing flame regarding his maturity and readiness to be an integral part of the Lions' offense.
In a recent Free Press column, the notion was introduced that the 2022 first-round pick needs a mentor to avoid having a career similar to Charles Rogers, who ended up not being successful with the Lions after battling injuries and off-the-field challenges.
"It’s genuine concern for Williams and his career because what he probably doesn’t understand is how quickly the Lions or any NFL team will cut him and move on if he becomes a problem or a distraction," writes Carlos Monarrez.
Calvin Johnson could end up being that mentor. The Pro Football Hall of Famer has been willing to put aside his frustrations with the Lions organization, and has been around the team more than in the past couple of years.
Monarrez notes, "I would like Williams' chances of succeeding a lot more with an official mentor. But I hope the Lions’ approach works, because I’ve grown too tired of writing the same story too many times about talented players who could have succeeded with better guidance."
Many supporters were put off by the comparison made to Rogers. Williams' behavior has largely been viewed as youthful indiscretions, and not signs of a problematic player.
Here is a sample of the reaction online to the suggestion that Williams needs a mentor.