Tag: NFL

Growth of Lions WR Jameson Williams could be key in playoffs

A big smile spread across Jameson Williams’ face when asked about reaching 1,000 receiving yards in a season for the first time. He made it by 1 yard late in the big win over the Vikings.

“It meant a lot, shoutout to my coaching staff for forcing that on me. I appreciate them a lot, it was huge to me and my people and my goals,’’ Williams said on Wednesday. “But I’m past that though, we’ve got three games left, I’m trying to focus on trying to get something on my fingers.”

By something, he means a Super Bowl ring.

The 1,000-yard mark was another milestone for the 2022 first-round pick who stumbled a bit out of the gate with an NFL suspension in each of his first two seasons — one for gambling, the other for using performance-enhancing drugs. 

He has grown. It’s evident on the field and even when answering questions from the media.

Coach Dan Campbell used the word “love” four times in a reply on Thursday about his sense of pride in the wide receiver best known as Jamo.

“I’ve got a lot of pride with him. You know he’s one of those guys, man I love that kid. He’s had to endure a lot. Look, some of it is his own doing and he knows that. That’s what I appreciate, it took him a minute to buy into what we’re doing. He can be a little hard-headed and it’s also why you love him, it’s why I love him,’’ Campbell said.

“But he’s learned along the way and he’s grown. What is the best thing he’s done? When he dropped the armor, he endeared himself to his teammates. He became part of the team, that took place last year, towards the end of last year. He could start to feel it and it’s only gotten better and better and better. Every one of these that’s happened, he’s grown he’s learning from it. I love where he’s at, I really do, I’m proud of him,’’ the coach added.

Campbell has been patient and honest with the 23-year-old Williams along the way.The coach also credits the support Williams has had from coaches, staff and teammates.

Along with his 1,001 receiving yards, this season he had three touchdown catches in the last four games and overall had seven receiving and one rushing touchdown

In the heart-breaking NFC Championship loss at San Francisco last January, Williams had a 42-yard rushing touchdown early and a 3-yard touchdown reception late. 

All eyes were on him and the Lions. It will be the same on Saturday night in the divisional round against the Washington Commanders.
“We all have the same mindset, we don’t look at it like we’re the No. 1 seed or we’re the best team. We still practice and play like we mean it, we still try to go out there and get a win and play hard for our brothers next to us,’’ Williams said. “… We’ve still got that grittiness. It’s playoffs, you’ve got to go out and get a win or you’ll be on the couch.’’

(UP NEXT: Washington Commanders at Detroit Lions, 8 p.m. on Saturday at Ford Field.)

Lions expect spark from return of RB David Montgomery against Commanders

Top 6 NFL rushing teams made the playoffs including Detroit, Washington

The Detroit Lions’ run game will get a boost with the return of running back David Montgomery, in the divisional round against the Washington Commanders on Saturday at Ford Field.

Jahmyr Gibbs has been carrying most of  the load with Montgomery’s three-game absence and excelling. Montgomery, who wears No. 5, was initially thought to be done for the season when he injured his knee on Dec. 15, but with rehab he has been cleared for the playoff run.

“Five’s a big part of us, he’s a huge part of us. To me he’s a bell cow, he’s somebody that is a tone-setter, he’s a catalyst,’’ coach Dan Campbell said on Monday. “There’s a place for him here, so there’ll be a place for him in this game. It’s going to be good to get him back.’’

Through the regular season, the Lions finished sixth in rushing offense (total yards) with 2,488 yards and tied for second with 29 rushing touchdowns. The Washington Commanders were third in total rushing yards (2,619) and fourth in rushing touchdowns with 25.

It’s really no surprise that the top six rushing offense teams are all in the playoffs – although it was one-and-done for the Packers and Buccaneers.

Certainly it’s a huge part of the Lions’ offensive game plan and they’ve invested in Gibbs and Montgomery. This season Gibbs rushed for 1,412 yards and 16 touchdowns and also had 52 catches for 512 yards and 5 receiving TDs. Montgomery had 775 rushing yards with a dozen rushing touchdowns and 341 receiving yards.

“I just believe that’s where everything starts, I know it starts for us that way. It creates an attitude, it creates a style, it creates a scheme, everything works off of that, is what you should say,’’ Campbell said. “At least for us that’s where it begins. It just takes a lot of pressure off other players – I think it takes pressure off your quarterback. 

“If you can run it now you play-action pass off the same or similar type of schemes, you open up windows, It helps your receivers separate, they still have to beat the corner but everything underneath is open,’’ the coach added.

With an elite quarterback like Jared Goff it just makes sense.

“When you have a guy who’s as accurate as our guy is, the passer that our guy is, and receivers that can get open like (Amon-Ra) St. Brown, Jamo (Jameson Williams) and these guys, that’s pure gasoline that’s why you do it,’’ Campbell said.

The coach noted the obvious, that it’s hard to pass in the NFL.

“Especially if everybody in the arena knows you’re passing, every defense knows you’re passing they just pin their ears back, it’s tough,’’ Campbell said.

UP NEXT: Detroit Lions host the Washington Commanders in the divisional round at 8 p.m. on Saturday at Ford Field. The Lions are coming off a bye earned with the No. 1 seed, while the Commanders upset the Buccaneers on Sunday night to advance. Detroit opened as an 8.5-point favorite.

Lions make winning look easy, but Jared Goff scoffs at the perception

Loaded with talent and hard-workers, the Lions have won eight straight and shatter records each week. In the last four games they have outscored opponents 154 to 57.

Piece of cake? Guess again.

“We’re really really trying to chase excellence every day. It’s not just on the field in games. In practice, we just finished walking through, the details are coming out. It’s amazing,’’ said Scottie Montgomery, Lions assistant head coach/running backs, on Wednesday.

The perception — to some, not everyone — is that the consistent winning is easy. Quarterback Jared Goff has something to say about that.

“None of this is easy. I keep getting that question. It makes me a little upset, but like I got it on the radio and after the game. None of this is easy. I know we scored 52, but like it’s freaking hard in this league,’’ Goff said on Wednesday.

“We’ve been playing well, we’ve been doing a lot of good things on offense. By no means would I ever characterize anything we’re doing as easy or without effort,’’ Goff added. “It’s a lot of hard work and a lot of time. The games are obviously very hard always and tough to win. Just rewind to a week ago (at Houston) you see how hard that win was. It’s never easy.’’

Goff said he’s not sure why the perception is that it’s easy.

“Everyone watches on Sunday to see what happens. But we’re in here Monday through Saturday. Our coaches are working around the clock,’’ Goff said. “Our bodies aren’t where you’d like them to be, no one is in this league right now. None of this is easy. We’re doing some good things offensively and defensively, but none of it is easy at all.’’

Coach Dan Campbell has preached hard work and details since he first walked into the building. That is one reason the Lions are 9-1 and considered Super Bowl worthy. At times they’re making it look easy, but it is not.

“I’ve been on some good football teams, but this is one of the first times when your best players are some of the most detailed players,’’ Montgomery said.
Wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown said the offense has known it’s special since the start of last year.

“We treat every opponent the same and that’s what makes us special,’’ St. Brown said.

UP NEXT: Lions (9-1) at Indianapolis Colts (5-6), 1 p.m. on Sunday.