ALLEN PARK — Amid a host of other self-scouting initiatives that were undertaken during the bye week, the Detroit Lions want wide receiver Jameson Williams to get the ball on a more consistent basis.
It was fairly reasonable to expect that Williams would see a jump in production after he surpassed 1,000 yards last season, but the numbers have significantly regressed after he signed a three-year, $83 million contract extension on the eve of this year’s opener. Through seven games, Williams has just 17 catches for 289 yards and two touchdowns.
Still, coaches are hesitant to blame Williams for the situation. Lions offensive coordinator John Morton pointed the finger at himself, saying he needs to do a better job of getting Williams open.
“There (have) been opportunities where it just didn’t happen. It’s not like we aren’t going to try to target him,” Morton said Thursday. “So, that was the biggest thing. I looked at everything, and I failed him. That’s what I told him. I have to do a better job with that.”
As many coaches have noted during the drought, Williams holds value outside of being a pass catcher. His speed puts fear into the hearts of opposing defenses, forcing them to play with two high safeties and opening up the receivers underneath. Williams is also a terrific and willing run blocker, so it’s not like the lack of production is causing him to slack in other areas.
Williams has been a good sport about it in his weekly media sessions as well.
“I ain’t frustrated at all, bro. How could I be frustrated? I’m me,” Williams said. “It’s a part of the game, but I got catches. I would like more, but I’m never frustrated.”
Asked what he’s seeing from defenses, Williams said: “They try to take … my ability to go over the top out of the game. That’s the main thing that I’ve been seeing in the first half (of the season). We’ve got plans to attack it, and we’ve got a lot of players, so we’re never really worried about one person getting (taken) out of the game, because we got other players who go make explosives and touchdowns and plays for us.”
Morton is thrilled with how Williams has responded to the lack of opportunities.
“He was great. He doesn’t sweat it. I’m like, ‘Listen, man, I’m going to do a better job.’ That’s my job during the bye week, because I stayed here. And that was my job — and third down — to really study that,” Morton said.
“Because there’s a lot of — especially on third down — they’re doubling (Amon-Ra St. Brown), they’re doubling him, there’s a lot of stuff that’s going on. So, I have to be creative. I have to go in the archives to try to get these guys open better.”
#### No tricks, just treats
The Lions haven’t used one of their patented trick plays on special teams this season, but that doesn’t mean they haven’t called them.
“We always have something available, but it just hasn’t come up, whether it be the situation of the game, the look we wanted,” special teams coordinator Dave Fipp said.
During the early stages of Dan Campbell’s tenure in Detroit, the team gained a reputation for its propensity to gamble on fourth down by using trick plays out of punt formation. These days, the Lions still have the gambling reputation — but they typically run fourth-down plays using their offense instead.
Fipp said one of the reasons why opportunities have been so limited is that teams are always prepared to have to defend a fake punt. Which, in turn, does benefit their punt unit.
“It’s definitely gotten harder,” Fipp said. “You definitely see a lot more people around the box, and some guys playing with eyes inside, and just a lot of different things. But yeah, I would say it’s definitely gotten harder. But theoretically, it should help us punt the ball better, too.”
#### Hometown heroes
Among a host of standouts in the “Legion of Whom” — the nickname affectionately given to the Lions’ patchwork secondary, which dominated in the win over Tampa Bay — the story of cornerback Nick Whiteside shined through.
Whiteside grew up in Auburn Hills and attended Avondale High School, where Morton also attended. Morton’s brother, Tim, was the head basketball coach at Avondale for multiple seasons and coached Whiteside.
“I think it’s awesome to have somebody from my high school that can do that,” Morton said. “It’s kind of like my story a little bit. He’s had a lot of ups and downs and has fought his way. And listen, he had an opportunity, he did a good job. And hopefully that gives him confidence, and you never know what can happen. When you get confidence, guys change in different environments.”
After high school, Whiteside went on to play college football at Saginaw Valley State and was most recently in the United Football League before getting a chance to participate in Detroit’s training camp, where he made a positive impression. When health woes struck Detroit’s secondary, Whiteside got the call and lived up to the challenge. He had three pass breakups and two tackles against Tampa Bay.
“It’s nothing better to see than when I click on my Instagram and I see 100 articles talking about Nick Whiteside. That is unbelievable,” defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard said. “A guy that was in the UFL, probably thought honestly, ‘Man, this is the end of the road for me. Oh, I get a practice squad spot.’
“And they’re grateful for those moments, but those guys never see themselves lining up mano a mano on (Buccaneers receiver Emeka) Egbuka. They never see themselves lining up mano a mano on (Buccaneers receiver) Mike Evans. That’s just real. And for him to not only get that opportunity but make the most of it — Erick Hallett, (cornerback) Art Maulet, (edge defender) Tyrus Wheat.
“I mean, the names go on and on of the guys that went out and not only just played, not only held the line, but they’ve put some pressure on some of our starters now.”
#### Return of the Mac
Defensive tackle Alim McNeill immediately made his presence felt in Detroit’s win over Tampa Bay.
He recorded five pressures and made one tackle, but his impact can better be measured by the production of Detroit’s edge rushers. Edge defenders Aidan Hutchinson (12 pressures), Al-Quadin Muhammad (nine), and Wheat (two) all set a season high in pressures, with Wheat adding 1 1/2 sacks.
“Mac is exceptional. I know Hutch is glad to have him back, but more importantly, I’m glad to have him back,” Sheppard said. “Because if you try to double, nudge Hutch and things like that, you’re leaving your guard one-on-one on one of, if not the best, three-(techniques) in the NFL.”
#### Fipp not worried about Bates
Kicker Jake Bates missed a 54-yard field goal in the Lions’ last game, bringing him to 2-for-5 on field goals of 50-plus yards this season. Bates, whose massive leg is a defining trait, also missed a 67-yard attempt against Baltimore in Week 3 and a 55-yarder against Chicago in Week 2.
But he’s a perfect 6 for 6 on all field goals under 50 yards and has made all 27 extra-point attempts, so Fipp isn’t sweating the misses. Still, it’s something they plan to work on throughout the season.
“Practice-wise, the numbers that I have, I mean, he’s been exceptional,” Fipp said. “So, I feel really good about what he’s doing, where he’s at. I have a lot of confidence in him. But yeah, he hasn’t made all of the long kicks that we would love for him to make. Can he hit that at a higher percentage? For sure. Will that be something to work on? Yeah, no doubt.”