Jamaal Williams handled his first press conference as the Detroit Lions' newest running back the way people who knew him in Green Bay would have expected.
Williams was full of energy, bantering with media about one member's hair ("Silver Fox" he said), joking about another's mustache to start the Zoom session and remarking on another's unusual last name.
Williams also made it clear that he did not sign with the Lions as a free agent just to lighten the mood in the locker room.
He's here to work and bring to the Lions the consistency and production he gave the Packers in a backup role.
"I'm just ready to bring in a workload," Williams said. "If you give me the ball more, if you let me go to work, good things happen. I'm a real workhorse.
"During the whole game, I get better and better. I look for how defenses are working. Are they mentally breaking?
"I go for the whole game. That's what you're going to get from me. I'm not going to take any plays off. I enjoy every minute of it.
"I'm going to make my team better."
Williams brings depth, experience and relative youth to the Lions' running back position. He joins D’Andre Swift, who showed promise as a rookie in 2020, and Kerryon Johnson, a 2018 second-round draft pick whose career development has been slowed by injuries.
Williams, who turns 26 on April 3, was drafted by the Packers in the fourth round out of Brigham Young in 2017.
He was remarkably consistent in his four seasons in Green Bay, matching durability and reliability with production.
He missed only four games because of injuries, playing 60 regular-season games with 20 starts and four playoff games with one start.
He rushed for 1,985 yards, with individual season totals of 556, 464, 460 and 505 from 2017 through 2020 and an average of 4.0 yards per carry with 10 TDs.
He also had 122 receptions and eight TDs, with an average of 7.9 yards per catch.
Williams never had a fumble with 622 total touches -- 500 carries and 122 receptions.
Williams enjoyed his stay in Green Bay, which is understandable considering the Packers are consistent playoff contenders. He was disappointed that the Packers let him become a free agent.
View photos of new Lions RB Jamaal Williams.
Green Bay Packers' Jamaal Williams cheers to fans before an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Green Bay Packers running back Jamaal Williams (30) runs for a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, in Cleveland. The Packers won 27-21 in overtime. (AP Photo/David Richard)
Green Bay Packers running back Jamaal Williams watches during an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions in Detroit, Sunday, Oct. 7, 2018. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Green Bay Packers running back Jamaal Williams (30) points to fans in the stands during an NFL football game on Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Green Bay Packers running back Jamaal Williams (30) celebrates a touchdown off a throw by quarterback Aaron Rodgers, during the second half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Green Bay Packers running back Jamaal Williams (30) celebrates his touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Green Bay Packers' Jamaal Williams celebrates his touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Sept. 15, 2019, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
Green Bay Packers' Jamaal Williams rides a bike to NFL football training camp Thursday, July 25, 2019, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Green Bay Packers running back Jamaal Williams (30) rushes for long yardage during the first half of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions, Monday, Oct. 14, 2019, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
Green Bay Packers running back Jamaal Williams (30) celebrates during an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Sunday, Oct. 27, 2019 in Kansas City, Mo. (Ben Liebenberg via AP)
Green Bay Packers running back Jamaal Williams (30) stiff arms Carolina Panthers cornerback Javien Elliott (23) during an NFL football game between the Green Bay Packers and Carolina Panthers Monday, Nov. 11, 2019, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)
Green Bay Packers' Jamaal Williams during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
Green Bay Packers running back Jamaal Williams (30) celebrates after scoring during the second half of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans Sunday, Oct. 25, 2020, in Houston. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
Green Bay Packers' Jamaal Williams pushes off Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Devin White during the second half of the NFC championship NFL football game in Green Bay, Wis., Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021. (AP Photo/Matt Ludtke)
Green Bay Packers running back Jamaal Williams runs up field after catching a pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Monday, Dec. 23, 2019, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Craig Lassig)
Green Bay Packers running back Jamaal Williams (30) carries the ball during an NFL football game against the Houston Texans, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Houston. (AP Photo/Matt Patterson)
Green Bay Packers RB Jamaal Williams (30) runs the ball during the game against the Detroit Lions Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020 in Detroit. The Packers defeated the Lions 31-24. (Zachary Silver via AP)
Green Bay Packers' Jamaal Williams (30) runs during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Monday, Oct. 5, 2020, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Tom Lynn)
Green Bay Packers' Jamaal Williams runs during the first half of an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Green Bay Packers running back Jamaal Williams (30) warms up before an NFL football game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Green Bay Packers' Jamaal Williams celebrates as he leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019, in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won 21-13. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
"Of course," Williams said. "I was all in with Green Bay. That's how you're supposed to be when you're on a team. I wanted to stay there."
Williams is eager to get to work with his new teammates. That includes quarterback Jared Goff, who was acquired in a trade that sent Matthew Stafford to the Rams.
"I can't wait to work with him," Williams said. "He's a good quarterback. I'm letting him know he's got people behind him who believe in him.
"I feel like coming in I can help out the (running back) room. I'm the type of person who believes in positive competition. We can all be competitive. We can make each other better.
"We can do it in a positive way. When you have that energy ... it makes everybody else want to join in and get with the program."
