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May 03, 2008
Williams optimistic, starting or not
DeAngelo Williams said Saturday he was happy the Carolina Panthers drafted Jonathan Stewart with their first pick in last week's NFL draft -- even if it means Stewart becomes the team's starting running back.
"It didn't bother me at all," said Williams, who had been penciled in as the starter after the Panthers released DeShaun Foster in the offseason. "I still have same mindset, whether I'm starter or not the starter.
"This the National Football League. Every year, there's another quarterback, wide receiver, offensive lineman, defensive lineman. They're just reloading. There's always competition."
Williams and Stewart will give the Panthers' running attack a new look. They have different styles, with Williams more of an elusive runner who relies on his quickness and Stewart going "north and south," taking a more direct route.
"Everybody's going to the two-back system," said Williams. "So whether he or I start it off, we're probably going to get same amount of carries, give or take."
Williams, who averaged 5.0 yards per carry last season (his second as a pro), said Panthers coaches haven't talked about how playing time will be divided between he and Stewart, who is missing the team's mini-camp this weekend while recovering from a toe injury.
"It will come down to training camp," Williams said. "If I can take most of the load or him, or if it's even, we'll do a great job with it.
"We'll keep (the opposition) on their heels. Our (physical) stature is similar (Williams is 5-foot-9, 217 pounds; Stewart 5-10, 235). The only way to determine who's who will be by looking at our numbers."
-- Offensive guard Rueben Riley (back) and defensive tackle Darwin Walker (back) didn't practice Saturday morning. -- David Scott
Posted by Observer Sports on May 3, 2008 at 10:40 AM | Permalink
Comments
Glad to see D W with that kinda attitude. Im excited.
Posted by: Colton | May 3, 2008 11:44:11 AM
They probably will split carries evenly. This will keep the defense on their heels when choosing a play as in to get ready to get ran over or get ready to get juked! Our offense will dominate this year! playoffs here we come!!!!
Posted by: Cameron | May 3, 2008 12:12:28 PM
They will both get plenty of carries. And as far as who gets the bulk of carries, it'll come down to each individual games. Which ever is the hot runner that day will get the bulk but both will get at least ten carries a game regardless
Posted by: Gorilla1boy | May 3, 2008 12:46:53 PM
Well said Gorilla boy. I couldn't agree with you more.
Posted by: SYRPIS | May 3, 2008 1:21:20 PM
Personally I would start Stew. Bang away at defenses with that big ol line. But the options are unlimited. 5-6 carries for one, then switch to the other. One series with one, next series with the other. OR my new favorite, a 2 back set with both DWill and Stew in the game at the same time. 3 wides, 2 backs and defensed have to figure out if we are going to run or pass. Gets me wet just thinking about all the options. As always GO CATS!
Posted by: iamhubby | May 3, 2008 1:40:21 PM
Spell-check your postings. Several articles are missing.
Posted by: Purr Durham | May 3, 2008 1:47:48 PM
This isn't english class nor a spelling bee. This is football so CHILL!!
Posted by: JT | May 3, 2008 4:02:15 PM
It is interesting Purr, you have an opinion on someones grammar, but not on the Panthers? Who gives a Tampa Bay a@@ how well people spell, as long as their opinion matches mine. LOL I just hope our back-field gets the job done. By the way, The Panthers did rush for the second highest total in franchise history last year. Just goes to show you, numbers can be misleading. As always GO CATS!
Posted by: iamhubby | May 3, 2008 5:22:50 PM
DW will show everyone this season he is the man. He weighs 217 lbs and is the same size as Emmitt Smith. I hope they give him a chance this year. He will be fun to watch. I am tired of the 2 yards a carry game plan.
Posted by: Kelso | May 4, 2008 6:17:52 AM
Kelso, TwinkleToeAngelo can't run between the tackles or pick up a blitz to save his life. Emmitt could.
Posted by: Michael Procton | May 4, 2008 10:05:17 AM
Procton, NOBODY could run between the tackles, or around the starting guards we had last year. NOBODY. So what was DeWill forced to do to maintain that 5.0 ypc average? He simply burned the corners and ran around defenders. Did you watch!? the games! There was rarely a hole in the gaps up the middle because Hartwig, Wahle and Bridges SUCKED at this. Emmitt could do it consistently because his o-line featured some of the biggest, nastiest guards/t's the NFL has ever seen in Newton, Gogan, and Gesek. Not taking anything away from E. Smith, but he literally had a ton of help on 3rd and short.
J. Stewart and Toefield should be able to break their way up the middle this year, but I would have LOVED to see what they would have done last year...Hmmm.. why did the Furnia invest in a plethora of massive guards with upside and a mauler reputation this offseason and even the draft? I can think of 1 tackle in the draft, 1st round, name is Otah, weighs like 340 lbs... longgg overdue... SO much for zone blocking 100% of the time this year.. zone blocking especially sucks when you don't have the big guards who can beat their man consistently, and that's exactly what happened last year.
Posted by: shaun | May 4, 2008 10:35:57 AM
Procton, sometimes I can't tell if you're a Panthers fan or not. You love to argue against what anyone has to say, even if it's a praise for one of our starting players. Do you have anything positive to say about our team and our upcoming season? If so, what?
Posted by: TheMike | May 4, 2008 6:57:19 PM
I've said plenty of positive things...hell, I'm typically the one who gets railed on for being too positive. Fact is, I think this team should win our division and make it to at least the NFC Championship barring further injury to Jake or Jonathan Stewart. People say you can't claim injuries as an excuse, but you just can't lose people for most of the season at key positions like we have in the last few seasons (QB, LT, MLB, C) and expect to be as good as you were when healthy.
Posted by: Michael Procton | May 4, 2008 7:27:09 PM
Can you imagine this passing offense of smith,hackett,moose,barnridge ,plus williams and stewart out of the backfield to catch flare passes and screens. jake and moore must be drooling.
Posted by: ray | May 5, 2008 8:12:53 AM
Williams is not between the tackles runner, so why point out the obvious? Look, it will likely come down to the team we are playing and who has the hot hand. If you are playing a D with a lot of 350lb line men, you run around them, if you play a smaller faster line, you run them over.
Posted by: michael | May 5, 2008 9:42:25 AM
You people down there in NC will see that J. Stewart will be the best rookie running back this year in the NFL he is explosive and he is an animal he doesnt avoid being tackled he likes to run people over. I watched every one of his high school games and he was a man among boys. He is stronger and faster now he would have been a hiesman trophy candidate next year if he would have stayed in college. Just enjoy watching him pound people then run away from them. He is the real deal.
Posted by: globner | May 5, 2008 2:36:37 PM
I think my panthers will be alright if we establish a run game with stewart and williams take some pressure off of jake and have a fast pass rush with the old pep leading the way and good pass coverage
Posted by: Reggie | May 6, 2008 4:13:12 PM
well da the panthers will have a great season this year. lets just hope that they will be alsome.
Posted by: snake | May 7, 2008 12:30:42 PM
I don't agree with what.... d williams said ... dat he n stewart r da same size n dat will catch defenses off gaurd...its obvious..stewart is way bigger then williams is..so williams sounds dumb...I think williams is a skat back...n stewart will b our star runner we been missin scince stephan davis left
Posted by: bennyfrankz | May 8, 2008 9:58:19 PM
but what if he fumbles or deosnt makes touchdowns, huh
Posted by: snake | May 9, 2008 1:15:42 PM
yo mamma will funmble the ball
Posted by: cool | May 10, 2008 1:56:19 PM
loser loser loser loser loser loser loser all of you
Posted by: snake | May 10, 2008 1:58:25 PM
two words- LaBrandon Toefield!!!!!Guaranteed Franchise player for Carolina next year.Bigger,stronger,and more experienced that both those guys!!!!!
Posted by: coolbreezeNC | May 11, 2008 4:24:07 PM
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