Chargers WR Mike Williams’ full play is a problem for defenses – Daily News

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COSTA MESA – It wasn’t clear what game Chargers coach Brandon Staley was referring to from Mike Williams’ sensational 2019 performance against the Denver Broncos until Staley provided a vivid description.

“Where it came down from the sky, you know, when it was perfectly overcast,” Staley said of one of Williams’ many incredible captures that December day in Denver.

Staley was referring to Williams grabbing 38 yards on the fourth and 11 points with the Chargers down three points late in the fourth quarter. Earlier in the game, Williams received a 52-yard reception.

Staley was standing on the opposite sideline as the Broncos’ outside linebacker coach when the 6-foot-4, 220-pound wide made some jaw-dropping catches.

“I just remember thinking that was a real problem, guys,” Staley recalled this week.

Staley no longer has a problem with Williams. He’s now helping Williams become a bigger issue for opposing NFL defenses to solve.

With Staley and Chargers offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi focusing on giving Williams the ball early and often, the Clemson product is enjoying the best start of his five-year career.

Williams has made a career of making unreal captures in crucial situations. But Williams’ praise was often limited to certain situations.

Best wide receiver in jumpball. A nightmare of shifting. Wide clutch in the fourth quarter.

But Williams ‘early start to this season helps a lot in realizing what Staley knew from Williams’ days in college. He’s a complete catcher who can make plays in any situation.

During Williams’ first four seasons with the Chargers, he was the threat to the bottom team who were often asked to bail them out in the fourth quarter. Williams generally delivered, despite frequent double coverage in obvious passing situations.

Williams, seventh pick in the 2017 draft, had to wait his turn behind wide receiver Keenan Allen, running back Austin Ekeler and tight end Hunter Henry, who signed with the New England Patriots in the offseason.

Now Williams could be Justin Herbert’s No.1 target this season. Williams runs sideways, plays wide receiver, and catches balls within 5 yards of the line of scrimmage.

Staley compared Williams to an NBA forward who can play anywhere on the pitch.

“I just feel like Mike has the label of just being the deep ball guy,” Staley said. “A guy who specifically plays off the red line and I’ve never seen him that way. … He’s like a three or four (positional player) in the NBA, where I want this guy more in the breaking cups. I want this guy on the basics, the digs and then more specifically the obliques. ”

Williams was supposed to have a slope on his first of two touchdowns during his standout performance last week against the Kansas City Chiefs. But Williams beat his defender enough on his way off the road that he could run outside near the sideline.

Herbert noticed Williams’ hand rising and triggered a 20-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter.

“I ran a few obliques early in the game, I took an inside exit,” said Williams. “That one (on landing), I wanted to try and change it up a bit to try and guess and he jumped in. So I just took the outside exit and made a room.

Williams has made all the right plays in the first three games this season. At the start of Week 4, Williams’ 22 catches were tied for fourth in the NFL, his four receiving touchdowns were tied for second, and his 295 receiving yards were for sixth. He’s on track to surpass his career highs in a single season of 49 receptions, 10 touchdowns and 1,001 receiving yards.

“I’m just here to make plays,” said Williams, laughing after being asked if he feels out of control on the pitch. “I’m in a good position to make plays and just take every opportunity that presents itself. ”

Allen, the four-time Pro Bowl receiver for the Chargers, is not surprised that Williams is showing all his arsenal this season. Allen told reporters at training camp that Williams can walk all of the routes in the book.

“Find more ways to give him the ball,” Allen said of Williams’ rise to power early in the season. “It’s usually routes and stops (for Williams) and now we’re giving it to him on everything. It’s just harder for them to defend (and) easier for us.

Few took Allen seriously three years ago when he said he and Williams were the best receiving duo in the NFL. Allen probably had more believers on Friday when he said it again.

“I thought about it three years ago,” Allen said. “It’s not the top three. It’s just one.

Lombardi didn’t go the route I told you on Friday as Allen did, but the Chargers’ offensive caller mentioned several times during training camp that Williams would see an increase in goals and probably have a big statistical season.

Lombardi focused on Williams having more of the ball in the middle throws, as his skills reminded him of star New Orleans Saints wide receiver Michael Thomas. Lombardi has been the Saints’ quarterback coach for the past five seasons.

“Mike Williams is a little bigger,” Lombardi said of Williams’ comparison to Thomas. “They are both very competitive. Both have good hands. So there are a lot of similarities, really. … There are a lot of similarities in how you would use them as an offensive coach.



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