Will he take over the starting RB postion this week?
MINNEAPOLIS - From the moment DeAngelo Williams entered the lineup Sunday, the Carolina Panthers' offense seemed to get a boost.
Williams, a rookie first-round pick, was sent into the game with 16 seconds left in the first quarter. His first move was to seek out his offensive linemen.
"I just (wanted to) get them fired up to block," Williams said. "I just told them, `Let's go get `em big guys. Believe in yourself. Let's go down here and score.'
"You get the best out of guys when you motivate them and get them enthusiastic about it."
Williams ran for 19 yards on his first carry and turned a short pass into a 16-yard gain on the next play.
The Panthers' offense had struggled on its first two possessions, during which starting running back DeShaun Foster had four rushes for 5 yards and one catch for 12 yards.
Williams went on to finish with 13 carries for 74 yards and his first pro touchdown. Foster had the same number of carries, but totaled only 26 yards.
Williams got the bulk of the playing time in the fourth quarter and in overtime.
It seemed clear the dynamics of the Panthers' running back rotation was shifting Sunday. Williams didn't get a carry in last week's loss at home to Atlanta.
Coach John Fox was noncommittal when asked if Williams' success against the Vikings might signal a lineup change for next week's game at Tampa Bay.
"At this time, I'm not going to comment on our starting lineup," said Fox. "I've not even seen the tape yet. We feel good about our running back situation, and DeAngelo is part of that mix."
Foster declined to talk to reporters.
Williams tried to be diplomatic.
"DeShaun is the starter," he said. " I'm one of those guys (who gives) him a blow when he needs it. I'd say it's a co-running back thing, but he's the starter, though."
Williams showed his versatility against the Vikings.
He had a nifty 23-yard run on an outside pitch and bulled straight ahead from 3 yards out for his touchdown.
"I was just having fun," he said.
"I was a running back to my college days (at Memphis). I was trusting my reads. I was trusting our offensive line."
According to tackle Jordan Gross, that trust was mutual.
"He did a great job," Gross said of Williams. "He read the holes well, ran hard north and south, and kind of had a breakout game.
"Hopefully, he keeps it up and pairs up with DeShaun, and we'll have a good backfield."
Williams had some aches after the game. His left thigh was iced and he was walking more gingerly than normal.
Williams also came close to breaking a kickoff return for a go-ahead touchdown.
After the Vikings had scored to tie the game at 13, Williams' 39-yard return gave the Panthers possession at midfield.
Williams said he thought he was going to score, but he took a misstep because of his concern about the indoor turf and special cleats he was wearing.
"I knew it was going to get a little sticky out there," he said. "I was trying to pick my feet up. I was going to cut back on the punter, but I picked up on the wrong" foot.
Fullback Brad Hoover said Williams' performance showed why the Panthers drafted him so high.
"He was huge," Hoover said. "He made stuff happen today."
MINNEAPOLIS - From the moment DeAngelo Williams entered the lineup Sunday, the Carolina Panthers' offense seemed to get a boost.
Williams, a rookie first-round pick, was sent into the game with 16 seconds left in the first quarter. His first move was to seek out his offensive linemen.
"I just (wanted to) get them fired up to block," Williams said. "I just told them, `Let's go get `em big guys. Believe in yourself. Let's go down here and score.'
"You get the best out of guys when you motivate them and get them enthusiastic about it."
Williams ran for 19 yards on his first carry and turned a short pass into a 16-yard gain on the next play.
The Panthers' offense had struggled on its first two possessions, during which starting running back DeShaun Foster had four rushes for 5 yards and one catch for 12 yards.
Williams went on to finish with 13 carries for 74 yards and his first pro touchdown. Foster had the same number of carries, but totaled only 26 yards.
Williams got the bulk of the playing time in the fourth quarter and in overtime.
It seemed clear the dynamics of the Panthers' running back rotation was shifting Sunday. Williams didn't get a carry in last week's loss at home to Atlanta.
Coach John Fox was noncommittal when asked if Williams' success against the Vikings might signal a lineup change for next week's game at Tampa Bay.
"At this time, I'm not going to comment on our starting lineup," said Fox. "I've not even seen the tape yet. We feel good about our running back situation, and DeAngelo is part of that mix."
Foster declined to talk to reporters.
Williams tried to be diplomatic.
"DeShaun is the starter," he said. " I'm one of those guys (who gives) him a blow when he needs it. I'd say it's a co-running back thing, but he's the starter, though."
Williams showed his versatility against the Vikings.
He had a nifty 23-yard run on an outside pitch and bulled straight ahead from 3 yards out for his touchdown.
"I was just having fun," he said.
"I was a running back to my college days (at Memphis). I was trusting my reads. I was trusting our offensive line."
According to tackle Jordan Gross, that trust was mutual.
"He did a great job," Gross said of Williams. "He read the holes well, ran hard north and south, and kind of had a breakout game.
"Hopefully, he keeps it up and pairs up with DeShaun, and we'll have a good backfield."
Williams had some aches after the game. His left thigh was iced and he was walking more gingerly than normal.
Williams also came close to breaking a kickoff return for a go-ahead touchdown.
After the Vikings had scored to tie the game at 13, Williams' 39-yard return gave the Panthers possession at midfield.
Williams said he thought he was going to score, but he took a misstep because of his concern about the indoor turf and special cleats he was wearing.
"I knew it was going to get a little sticky out there," he said. "I was trying to pick my feet up. I was going to cut back on the punter, but I picked up on the wrong" foot.
Fullback Brad Hoover said Williams' performance showed why the Panthers drafted him so high.
"He was huge," Hoover said. "He made stuff happen today."
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