Is Jameson Williams the next Matthew Stafford?
I know. That's sort of a weird title right? Detroit Lions' Jameson Williams is not a quarterback. That's not what this is about. What it is about is some of the parallels that Williams seems to share with the former Lions quarterback. It's easy to forget becasue Stafford was such an ironman for the Lions […]
I know. That's sort of a weird title right? Detroit Lions' Jameson Williams is not a quarterback. That's not what this is about. What it is about is some of the parallels that Williams seems to share with the former Lions quarterback.
It's easy to forget becasue Stafford was such an ironman for the Lions for so many years, but there were some serious questions about Stafford at the beginning of his career. Much like Williams, Stafford was just snake bit from the word go. A lot of starts and stops.
Lions fans have probably blocked that out from their mind, but there were definitely people calling Stafford a bust or a "China doll." Eventually that all changed after Stafford came out and played his first fully healthy season in 2011. It took some time and patience though.
Jameson Williams' story is a little different. He came in hurt and then got suspended and hurt again. This doesn't make him a bust. It makes him snake bitten. You can't use the bust word until you've seen him actually go out there and be a bust on the field. We haven't seen that and I don't think we ever will.
There are some out there that want to compare Williams to Titus Young or the late Charles Rogers. Both those comparisons could not be farther off base.
Titus Young went into business for himself in the middle of a game. All we've seen from Williams so far is that he's a team guy. He's never complained about anything. Rogers had an issue with drugs and some other things. Williams doesn't have that issue at all.
I think the trajectory for Williams can be a lot more like Stafford's. Once Williams gets it all figured out, it will all work out. The good thing for Williams is that he gets to do that in a much better place than the Lions were in 2011. He also gets to do it this year.
While he did suffer a hamstring injury, he's not out for the season or anything. Williams will be on the field Week 7 against the Ravens. We'll see what happens then.
Now, if Williams spends the next couple months not staying focused and comes out and lays an egg, then we can have a discussion. Until then, let's relax with all the bust talk.
Featured image by Kirthmon F. Dozier / USA TODAY NETWORK
