Jameson Williams – Page 10

Five things to watch as Lions host Bucs; injury update and prediction

With the overtime win over the Rams, the Detroit Lions held strong to beat one of their playoff opponents from last year. On Sunday, they’ll have a chance at another, the Tampa Bay Bucs.

In January the Lions topped the Bucs 31-23 in the divisional round. Both teams have seen a few changes but the main cast of characters is intact for both.

“It doesn’t matter who you play. You have to find a way to win them. I think what’s unique is, I think the Rams last week and the Bucs here are certainly – they have a good chance of winning those divisions,’’ Lions coach Dan Campbell said. “They are certainly going to be competitive and be right there in the race, and so this is a chance to get an early one. You get an early one and you just don’t know what this is going to mean down the road and if you can put some money in the bank early in the season, it will pay big dividends for you down the road.’’

Campbell looks for improvement every week. It’s good with a win under their belt but that was just a start. And, remember, it took overtime.

“Now in the moment, it’s – we just have to improve. I mentioned it the other day, we just have to get a little bit better and if we can do that as individuals, coaches, players, everything, then it’ll raise the floor of our team significantly this week,’’ Campbell said.

Kickoff is at 1 p.m. at Ford Field.

Five things to watch against the Bucs:

ONE: The Lions defense must improve on tackling and make more big plays when the chance is there. Carlton Davis and Brian Branch missed on possible interceptions in the opener while Aidan Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport missed sacks. Defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn saw the positives too. “When you throw it 50 times and you average six yards per attempt, that’s right in our wheelhouse of where we want to be at. So, we were happy about that, and again, just like I said in the run game, we held guys to 3.6 yards per carry I think on 20-something runs. So, that’s who we are as a defense,’’ Glenn said. They could have their hands full with QB Baker Mayfield who threw four TD passes last week in win over the Commanders.

TWO: The Lions offense could take advantage of a beat-up Bucs’ secondary. Safety Antoine Winfield (foot) is expected to miss. Three corners were lost in the Bucs win last week – Zyan McCollum (concussion), Josh Hayes (ankle) and Bryce Hall who is out for the season. “This is a dangerous team. So, we’ll see who they have available here on Sunday, but more than anything, we have to handle all the variety of looks that they can present to us, first and second down, and third down,’’ Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson said.

THREE: The Lions’ multi-dimensional offense had enough left in the tank to win in overtime last week. They did it with Amon-Ra St. Brown getting just three catches. Getting him more involved is a priority but it wasn’t shocking since Jameson Williams came up big with 121 receiving yards. “That’s going to happen, and I think what made us a good offense in the past is that last week it was Jameson and this week it could be him again, but it could be anyone. It could be Sam (LaPorta), it could be Kalif (Raymond), it could be – obviously St. Brown is a big part of it, but it could be anyone and that’s what’s good about our offense,’’ quarterback Jared Goff said.

FOUR: In his first NFL game, cornerback Terrion Arnold was notched two pass interference calls against the Rams. It’s not an unusual phenomena for a rookie, but something that needs work. “We have to make sure that we coach those things out of him. ‘Where’s your hand placement? Understand where do you want to turn your head in certain situations on the ball.’ So, I have no issue with that player getting better at that, because I know he will because he’s a quick learner and he’s a fast learner,’’ Glenn said.

FIVE: Look for defensive lineman D.J. Reader to play in his first game for the Lions. “He’s a man’s man. When it comes to the run game, he’s going to be a huge addition to us, but I don’t want guys to just think that’s just who he is, because he has sneaky, athletic ability to be able to help on the passing game too, because he can push the pocket,’’ Glenn said. “Anytime you bring a player like that back in the fold, it only helps us as a defense.”

LIONS INJURY UPDATE: S Ifeatu Melifonwu (ankle) and WR Isaiah Williams (abdomen) are out; DL Marcus Davenport (groin) is doubtful; RT Penei Sewell (ankle), S Kerby Joseph (hamstring) and WR Jameson Williams (ankle) are questionable.

PREDICTION: Lions 27, Bucs 24

Five things to watch as Lions open season hosting Stafford, Rams

Intriguing matchups provide an extra bump to the NFL’s opening weekend. None more so than when the Detroit Lions host Matthew Stafford and the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night football. The schedule makers were not fooling around by pairing up these teams.

The Lions ended the Rams playoff hopes when they beat them 24-23 in a wild card victory in January at Ford Field. It was loud, it was raucous and the Lions were just getting in playoff gear.

Sunday night’s game will feature teams that have tweaked their rosters and learned from last season.

“This to me is a better team than what we faced last year just looking at their personnel coming in. I feel like this is a better offensive line, I feel like this is a better D-line. I understand they lost (former Rams DL Aaron) Donald, but what I think they gain is youth and collectively, that front is – I’ve said it before, they’re young, they’re hungry, they’re high motor. They’re going to push us,’’ Lions coach Dan Campbell said.

“The backs, on top of Stafford being who he is and mastering this offense and the ability to really – I mean he’s kind of got everything at his disposal to do what he needs to. So, I just feel like it’s a – they’ve developed,’’ Campbell said.

However he knows what he’s got at his disposal too.

“I think they’re going to be a better team, but I feel like we’re better too. So, I feel like you’re getting two teams that are better. Now, this is game one, this is Week 1, but I feel like both of us have improved and we’re getting ready to head off here Sunday night,’’ Campbell said.

FIVE THINGS TO WATCH:

1. Right out of the gate the Lions new-look secondary again will be challenged with Matthew Stafford throwing to the dynamic receiving duo of Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacoa.

“They do the dirty work, they’re very much a part of the run game with the way that they block and insert and take on backers and safeties and everything, but then they play tough. They play tough in the pass game. They play fast. I think they’re physical, I think they attack the football, I think they’re hard to get down, run after catch, so the element of their game, it translates to this League,’’ Campbell said.

Lions rookie CB Terrion Arnold is ready to go. “He does not lack confidence, OK?’’ Campbell added. The secondary includes CB Carlton Davis III, DB Brian Branch and S Kerby Joseph along with CB Amik Robertson and rookie CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr.

2. Quarterback Jared Goff said he is not sure if he’ll ever experience the way the fans embraced him last year with the Jar-ed Goff chant. Here’s a hint, if the Lions continue their winning ways and take it a step farther to the Super Bowl, the chants may get even louder. “Just the organic feeling of that and how it all came together and that support obviously means the world to me and made me feel pretty good and obviously I’m happy to be here and continue to be their quarterback,’’ Goff said.

The quarterback had a stellar training camp and now can help get the Lions over the hump.

“A steady, reliable guy behind center who is going to do what we ask him to do. We take care of him, he’ll take care of the football. He’s going to move it, he’ll be efficient, he’ll be our captain,’’ Campbell said.

“So, we got that and through the years, these last three years, he’s just continued to grow and gotten better and gotten better, and honestly, I think he just wants more, and he continues to challenge himself and the more he does that, the more we load him up. The more we ask him to do, the more we put on his plate because he can handle it and he wants it. So, where he’s able to go, our offense is able to go. So, we ask him to do a lot, and we’re going to ask him to do a little bit more than he did last year because he can handle it. He’s proven that. He’s playing at a high level, and he also knows he doesn’t have to do this all on his own,” the coach added.

3. One major difference in facing the Rams this season is that DL Aaron Donald is retired.

“You needed to know where he was at, at all times, really on all downs. So, it was a constantly – you were shifting and motioning just for him, and you’re damn near doing it every play,’’ Campbell said. “Then, you’re trying to find a way to chip on one side and it’s really not for the tackle, it’s so the tackle can help the guard for him on Donald. But yes, it’s nice not to have to necessarily worry about him, but they’ve got – the guys they have over there are young and hungry, high motor, they have an influx of youth that’s pretty damn talented and there again, I think these guys go now. They got plenty up front, believe me. They’ve got plenty.”

4. Three of the Lions best young players — WR Jameson Williams, TE Sam LaPorta and RB Jahmyr Gibbs — have helped revolutionize the offense. Like the rest of the team, they are hungry and should have big contributions this season starting on Sunday night.

“All of them have grown. First of all, it starts with having guys that understand what you expect out of them and then what their role is in this offense and what we’re asking them to do,’’ Campbell said. “I think more importantly, any player that you have, it’s one thing to say, ‘This is what we need you to do, want you to do on this because this is your – this will be your throw. We think they’re going to play this coverage, you are No. 1 in the progression.’ That’s kind of easy, right? Because it’s, ‘Man, I’m getting this ball, so I’m attentive.’ But it’s the others where, you’re number three in the progression, you have to get to inside of the numbers, you have to get all the 15 yards. If you’re too fast on this, it’s those things, ‘Where do you really fit into the concept? What is your piece of the puzzle?’ And understand that.’’

Many of LaPorta’s catches last season came when he was the No. 2 or 3 in the progression.

“Now he had plenty where we got to where he was No. 1, but he had a ton of those and it’s because of attention to detail and understanding what we wanted and when we needed him when Goff had to get all the way through it, there he is,’’ Campbell said. “He’s open, he’s available. I think all those guys understanding that and growing in that have gotten better. It’s always going to be attention to detail and look, they’re attentive guys, they want it. We mentioned Jamo earlier about – he wants it. He’s receptive, he’s open to it, he takes the coaching, he tries to improve on it, and I would say all those guys are that way.”

5. The Lions definitely will have a homefield advantage for the nationally televised game. “It’s our job to continue to excite our fan base. I’ve said it before, they’re going to do their part, they’re going to do their part. As long as we handle our business, it’ll be a – this place for us, this city, that stadium, it will be home field advantage,’’ Campbell said. “It will, and not every team can say that in this League at their own place.”

FIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH: After all five had standout training camps, much is expected from WR Jameson Williams, DL Levi Onwuzurike, CB Terrion Arnold and EDGE Marcus Davenport. Undrafted rookie WR Isaiah Williams may not see much playing time, but keep an eye out for No. 83.

INJURY UPDATE: Lions — S Ifeatu Melifonwu (ankle) is doubtful, DL D.J. Reader (quadricep) is questionable and S Loren Strickland (thumb) is out.

FEARLESS PREDICTION: Lions 27, Rams 21.

Detroit Lions face tough decisions when it comes to wide receivers with roster cuts looming

ALLEN PARK — With the roster cutdown deadline at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell and GM Brad Holmes still have work to do.

“A tough 48 hours coming up, but I really appreciate these guys,’’ Campbell said at noon on Monday.

One position where some tough decisions must be made is at wide receiver. The three locks are Amon Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams and Kalif Raymond. It’s uncertain how many they will keep.

Undrafted rookie Isaiah Williams, who wears 83, appears to have earned a roster spot with a consistent, steady showing at training camp.

“You guys know what 83 is, it’s shown up – he’s made plays all camp. He’s really more that slot, he falls into the mode a little bit like Saint (St. Brown), Lif (Raymond) and Tom Kennedy.

Donovan Peoples-Jones, entering his fifth NFL season, and rookie Daurice Fountain, entering his fourth, are also in the mix. Both are 6-feet-2.

“They are big guys, they are big receivers, they’ve got length to them and for their size they can run pretty good,’’ Campbell said. “So there’s that element of that – can you play big-boy ball outside, redzone comes into play. So if you don’t have it (size) you do feel a little small. You feel it would be nice to have the size. You wish that would show up a lot more but that’s what those two guys bring – that’s that type of flavor that we talk about all the time. We would love to have a little bit of everything – you’ve got speed, you’ve got quickness, you’ve got size, gadget.’’

Campbell said he and Holmes have many questions to weigh.

“Have we seen enough out of those guys to where we feel like we can use them or need to use them sooner than later. Or will they provide value depth or role players? The other thing is special teams, how much do they bring on special teams,’’ Campbell said. “I don’t know it’s tough to say. It will all come into play.’’