After quarterback Jared Goff threw his fifth interception against the Houston Texans on Sunday, wide receiver Jameson Williams, the intended target, approached Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson on the sideline with a question.
“Hey, was my angle correct?” Williams asked, as Johnson recalled Thursday.
“No, it wasn’t right. It’s not what we had discussed,” Johnson responded, but reassured Williams he’d get another chance in the fourth quarter to redeem himself.
That opportunity came early in the final frame when Goff targeted Williams again. Williams hauled in a 17-yard catch, helping set up a touchdown for teammate Amon-Ra St. Brown two plays later. However, Williams took a hard hit from both the defender in front and behind as he caught the ball. He was shaken up but returned for the next drive.
Williams finished the game with 53 yards on three receptions, contributing to the Lions’ victory over the Texans in his return from a two-game suspension.
“He’s really coming along and making an impact,” Johnson said. “When you challenge him on the sideline, he usually responds well, and with the turnovers, we knew we couldn’t afford many mistakes, so he needed to make that play, and he did. His confidence in his hands and his attention to detail continue to grow.”
Williams expressed gratitude for the coaching staff’s confidence in putting him back into the lineup so quickly after his suspension. He noted that when he was suspended last season for violating the league’s gambling policy, it took time to ease back into the rhythm.
Not this time. Right back into action, and right back to making plays.
“When your number is called, you have to make the play, no matter the circumstances, whether you’re getting hit from the front and the back, you just have to make it,” Williams said. “It was huge for us, especially during our comeback effort. Every play matters when it’s your turn to step up. I felt like I needed to make that play, and I did.”
Don’t Mess with Bates on Game Day
Special teams coordinator Dave Fipp has spent months getting to know rookie kicker Jake Bates, figuring out his strengths and weaknesses, but also learning about his personality. How does Bates prefer coaching? What motivates him? And when is the best time to offer feedback?
One thing Fipp learned quickly: Don’t interfere with Bates on game day.
“We were in the preseason, and I’m still learning about him, so I approached him during a game to offer some advice. I could tell he didn’t want anything to do with it,” Fipp said Thursday. “He was so locked in.
I noticed how focused he stays before the game, hardly talks to anyone… I learned to observe him during warmups for any subtle coaching points, but most of the time, I let him be. If I see something, I offer a small tip, but otherwise, I stay out of his way and focus on other players.”
Bates has started his career with 14 consecutive successful field goals, including the game-winning kick at the buzzer to beat the Texans.
“Every player is different,” Fipp said of kickers. “Often, coaches overdo it with kickers and get in their way. It’s a position where less is often more. Everyone has their own technique, and the less interference, the better.”
