DETROIT — The Lions just lost their prized young receiver, Jameson Williams, for nearly half a season. GM Brad Holmes just lost a little luster off his drafting acumen. And the team just took a hit to its well-groomed culture reputation, with four of its players suspended by the NFL for violating gambling policies.
But let’s keep this issue precisely where it belongs. Williams lost the most, including any benefit of the doubt. If immaturity and decision-making weren’t obvious concerns when the Lions drafted him, they are now.
If you gamble, this is why you’d better gamble judiciously, within the rules. Holmes gambled on Williams by trading up in the first round last year to draft him at No. 12, knowing it would take Williams most of the following season to recover from knee surgery. And Williams gambled foolishly, mobile-betting on non-NFL games while on team premises, and was suspended Friday for six games.
