Much of the focus is on what Jameson Williams will do for the Lions’ offense once he’s healthy, but special teams assistant Jett Modkins has some plans on his end of things too.
As he works his way back from a torn ACL, everyone wonders what rookie wide receiver Jameson Williams will do for the Lions’ offense when he’s healthy. There will be a learning curve for him, apart from any rust he’ll have, but hitting a solid stride late in the season wouldn’t be a stretch.
For the latest episode of “Twentyman in the Huddle”, the new podcast from Lions’ writer Tim Twentyman, he talked to Lions special teams assistant Jett Modkins.
Modkins was open about his desire to have Williams contribute to his unit. Credit to Pride of Detroit for the quotes.
Once he gets back out there, we’ll probably throw little hints out there, try to get the keys to the car,” Modkins said, jokingly.
(Williams) lights up when he’s in this building. Whenever I see him, he’s great to be around,” Modkins said. “Even out there on the field, everybody talks about when he steps between the white lines, he definitely glows then. But when he’s in this building, he’s locked in. He’s in every one of our special teams meetings, locked in.”
Jameson Williams is no stranger to playing special teams
Last season at Alabama, Williams averaged over 35 yards per kickoff return with two touchdowns. This is not the play as a gunner he was ejected for, but in the SEC Championship Game against Georgia Williams made an impact play on punt coverage.
Once he’s medically cleared to practice and play, the Lions will surely manage Williams’ activity level and snap count early on. So how much he’ll play on special teams at that stage, if at all really, is not clear. But Modkins clearly wants to be able to use him on special teams at some point, even a little bit, and it seems obvious Williams would be open to playing a less glamorous role.