DETROIT — The Lions just lost their prized young receiver, Jameson Williams, for nearly half a season. GM Brad Holmes just lost a little luster off his drafting acumen. And the team just took a hit to its well-groomed culture reputation, with four of its players suspended by the NFL for violating gambling policies.
But let’s keep this issue precisely where it belongs. Williams lost the most, including any benefit of the doubt. If immaturity and decision-making weren’t obvious concerns when the Lions drafted him, they are now.
If you gamble, this is why you’d better gamble judiciously, within the rules. Holmes gambled on Williams by trading up in the first round last year to draft him at No. 12, knowing it would take Williams most of the following season to recover from knee surgery. And Williams gambled foolishly, mobile-betting on non-NFL games while on team premises, and was suspended Friday for six games.
Two other Lions — C.J. Moore and Quintez Cephus — were caught gambling on NFL games and were cut. Another Lion, receiver Stanley Berryhill, landed a six-game suspension. Several low-level Lions staffers (unnamed by the league) also were implicated and fired.
Let’s be very clear here. This isn’t about the NFL’s rules, which can be confusing and arcane. This isn’t about the league’s commercial partnership with gambling entities, which might muddy the optics. Sorry, perceived hypocrisy is not a defense. It certainly isn’t a defense when the NFL lectures teams and players every year on the gambling guidelines. Ignorance isn’t a defense either, considering Jaguars receiver Calvin Ridley (also from Alabama) just returned from a year-long suspension for betting on NFL games while he was with Atlanta.
All is not lost, as long as lessons are learned. For instance, if Holmes actually was considering taking Georgia’s polarizing Jalen Carter with the No. 6 pick next Thursday, he can’t any longer. Many pundits, including me, applauded his bold move up to grab Williams, and for the most part, Holmes’ two drafts have been brilliant. But risk-taking always is a delicate part of it.
The Lions’ productive offense shouldn’t be severely damaged in the short term. Yes, much more was expected of the speedy Williams, who played sparingly in six games and had a 41-yard touchdown catch and a 40-yard run. That was it, flashes of the explosiveness that made him one of the nation’s top receivers at Alabama. His absence now, along with the departure of free agent D.J. Chark, probably forces the Lions to look for a receiver, perhaps with the No. 18 pick (TCU’s Quentin Johnston?). Under terms of his suspension, Williams can participate in team activities, training camp and even preseason games, but must sit the first six regular-season contests.
Red flags?
The Lions had been on a good-vibe roll for a while, since finishing the season on a 8-2 run and rocketing expectations. That doesn’t suddenly change. It’s not like Williams played a role in their turnaround. But this is a reminder (not that it was needed around here), that success isn’t linear and certainly isn’t guaranteed. And the transition from college star to NFL bright lights and big money isn’t always seamless or flawless.
Now that the NFL investigation is over, the Lions should do their own self-evaluation. Did they miss red flags with Williams? He has been portrayed as aloof, and seemed oddly glum on draft day. After his 41-yard touchdown against the Vikings, the first reception of his pro career, he celebrated mostly by himself, racing away from teammates.
A big deal? Nah. Unless there were a few overlooked little deals. It was noted, without commentary, that Williams drove a Bentley, not exactly exuding rookie humility. Some of his social-media posts smacked of immaturity, such as his “like” of a fan’s tweet suggesting he needed more playing time.
Youthful indiscretion explains only so much. Being sidelined provided idle time, and the Lions tried to mitigate it by bringing Williams along on road trips, which was unusual. The Lions re-signed veteran receiver Marvin Jones, 33, mostly for his productivity, perhaps partly to mentor Williams, 22. Back in March, Holmes said it was incumbent on Williams to do his part.
“We’re going to continue to do everything we need to do to make sure he’s set up to succeed,” Holmes said. “Jameson also has to hold his part and make sure he’s doing everything he needs to do. It’s always accountability on both sides. We expect big things from him.”
Big things haven’t arrived yet, and in fact, big things have been forfeited by Williams, including significant guaranteed money. Already raw after missing nearly a full year, which led to a few dropped passes, he still has to develop chemistry with Jared Goff.
Taking responsibility
Williams has time to turn it around in Detroit, no doubt, but the odds are shrinking. His representation released a statement that expressed remorse, but with a catch.
“Jameson takes full responsibility for his actions and is very apologetic to the NFL, his teammates and the fans and city of Detroit,” the statement read. “However, it is important to note that Jameson’s violation was not for betting on football but rather due to a technical rule regarding the actual location in which the online bet was placed.”
Technically, it’s not a technicality. He bet while at the team’s facilities, and a team’s facilities include the team bus, plane and road hotel. The rule became more explicit as mobile betting expanded, so explicit that virtually nobody, outside of Ridley, has been busted.
Maybe cases on other teams will surface. Doesn’t matter. The Lions under Holmes and Dan Campbell have touted their work-ethic ethos, with an emphasis on high-character, high-football-IQ players, and that shouldn’t change. The Lions don’t lose their identity or favorite status, but this should sting, for sure. You hope it stings Williams harder, and he can mature as fast as he runs.
