Welcome to overreaction Friday. Detroit Lions fans pounded the lines on talk radio and the Woodward Sports chat lines asking that the team trade 22-year-old wide receiver Jameson Williams after he was suspended six games by the NFL for violating the league’s gambling policy.

The team released wide receiver Quintez Cephus and safety C.J. Moore after the league suspended them indefinitely. Receiver Stanley Berryhill was also suspended six games, but remains with the team.

It is believed that Williams and Berryhill bet on non NFL games inside an NFL facility which is an NFL violation. Cephus and Moore received stiffer penalties because they bet on NFL games.

The suspensions came after a month-long NFL investigation. Four low level front office employees were fired in March for violating league gambling protocol for employees.

Comments from Brad Holmes

“As a result of an NFL investigation, it came to our attention that a few of our players had violated the league’s gambling policy,” Detroit Lions GM Brad Holmes said in a release. “These players exhibited decision making that is not consistent with our organizational values and violates league rules. We have made the decision to part ways with Quintez and C.J. immediately. We are disappointed by the decision making demonstrated by Stanley and Jameson and will work with both players to ensure they understand the severity of these violations and have clarity on the league rules moving forward.”

The good news for the Lions is Williams and Berryhill can participate in off-season and pre-season drills leading up to their suspension which begins on the final roster cut down date. They may also play in preseason games.

Williams’ actions caused Lions fans to overreact. Many called him a bust. There is the belief that he won’t fit in to the Lions tight knit culture that have many believing they could win the NFC North Division.

Williams raised eye brows earlier when he liked Tweets calling for the Lions to sign Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. He also missed all but six games his rookie season because of a knee injury sustained in the University of Alabama’s National championship game.

The Detroit Lions are gambling…

The Lions are gambling that Williams and the addition of veteran receiver Marvin Jones makes up for the loss of D.J. Chark who signed a free agent contract with the Carolina Panthers. The Detroit Lions balked at the $8 million a year demands from Chark. They decided to go with Williams and Jones who will make less than that combined.

The Lions moved up several spots to the 12th slot in the first round of the 2022 draft to select Williams who can stretch the field with his speed.

Williams played in just six games and finished with one catch for 41 yards and one run for 41 yards.

Those two plays put his speed on display. We also began to worry if Goff has enough arm strength to get the ball to him.

Alliance Sports, the firm that represents Williams, issued an apology on behalf of its client.

“Jameson takes full responsibility for his actions. [He] is very apologetic to the NFL, his teammates and the fans and city of Detroit,” the firm wrote in a statement. “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 — and which would otherwise be allowed by the NFL outside of the club’s facility. Jameson would never intentionally jeopardize the integrity of the game he loves so much. He looks forward to getting back to his team as soon as possible.”

___

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

Tweet: @WoodwoodSports or comment on your favorite social media platform!