Among the many beauties about the Lions these days is they don't have polarizing players.
Jared Goff is Detroit's most-trusted quarterback since Bobby Layne. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Penei Sewell, Sam LaPorta and Aidan Hutchinson are exceedingly popular. Not only are they great players, they are consummate professionals, who have gained their individual accolades via a team concept.
It's not about "me" but "we" with the above-mentioned players, and others.
Oops. Forgot to mention the one possible exception, Jameson Williams.
One of the first names brought up during OTA's was Jamo. Head coach Dan Campbell referred to him as "a man on a mission." Maybe this is the season Williams will no longer be a polarizing figure. Perhaps he is on the way to being a consummate pro.
A year ago, that didn't seem likely. It appeared even less probable as the season began. Williams looked confused and dropped passes. At least he stayed clear of controversy off the field and stopped the on-field "Look I'm open" theatrics.
Williams has top-end speed. Everyone knows it. However, it didn't appear he had the overall dexterity required to be a quality NFL receiver.
That wasn't the case as the 2023 season moved on. He stopped dropping passes and started catching even those tossed in tight windows. He made some big plays on reverse runs. A few times, he got deep and held on.
He scored two touchdowns in the NFC Championship Game. The second was subtly impressive. It was in the scoring zone. Goff gunned the ball high toward the end line. Williams leapt and the ball stuck. It was definitely an indication of improved catch radius and Williams' maturation as a player.
The Lions don't need Williams to be Justin Jefferson. They need him to be a solid, dependable outside receiver.
Reasonable goals for him this season are playing in all or most of the games, garnering 60 or so receptions and averaging about 15 yards per catch with eight or more touchdowns, and making chunk yardage plays on reverses.
If that happens, Williams will justify the Lions selecting him in the first round. It won't be ideal, but certainly acceptable.
And no longer will he be the Lions' lone polarizing figure.
