The Detroit Lions talk a lot about grit. It is a component you must have with this team if you want to fit.

There is one prominent Lions player who lacks grit and for now he does not fit with this team.

That is wide receiver Jameson Williams. That isn’t to say that will never happen. But there was a disturbing play during the Lions 42-24 victory over Carolina that showed Williams is not there with the rest of his teammates.

Quarterback Jared Goff hit Williams on a short crossing pattern in the hands. A linebacker was in the vicinity. He wasn’t about to blast Williams immediately but Jamo still got alligator arms and dropped the ball.

He was soft on the play.

You know something is wrong when reporters ask teammates to evaluate Williams and they talk about his blocking. That is all well and good. Calvin Johnson was a very good blocker also. But he also caught passes.

The Lions did not trade up in the first around for Jamo to block. They traded up for him to stretch the field and catch passes. Later in the game Goff looked Jamo off on a fly pattern and went to covered David Montgomery. That is a sign that the chemistry between the two is not there yet.

In his defense Jamo is almost like a rookie. After the Carolina game coach Dan Campbell said he is making progress, but it is almost like starting over with him after returning from a bogus four-game gambling suspension. Jamo has three career catches. He is like a second-year rookie if that makes sense.

But you know who else is a rookie? Tight end Sam LaPorta (25 receptions, 289 yards, 3 touchdowns).

In order for Williams to pop he must become dependable, professional and dare I say tough. He is none of that right now.

“We should be a tough, physical team on offense, defense and special teams,” Campbell said.

Jamo should hang onto every word so he can become part of the new culture of the Lions.

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For more from the author Terry Foster, check him out on Twitter here: @terryfosterdet

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