Player Spotlight: D. Foster & D. Williams (1 Viewer)

[Jason Wood]

2006 Player Spotlight Series

Over the course of the offseason, we will be evaluating a multitude of players at every fantasy position. One such way we go about that is through the Player Spotlight series. Think of the Spotlights as a permanent record on some of the more intriguing players for the upcoming season. Each Spotlight will be featured in an article on the main website.

Thread Topic: DeShaun Foster & DeAngelo Williams, RBs, Carolina Panthers

Player Page Link: DeShaun Foster Player Page

Player Page Link: DeAngelo Williams Player Page

Each article will include:

Detailed viewpoint from a Footballguys staff member
Highlighted member commentary from the message board threads
FBG Projections
Consensus Member ProjectionsThe Rules

In order for this thread to provide sustainable value, we ask that you follow a few simple guidelines:

Focus commentary on the player in question, and your expectations for said player
Back up your expectations in whatever manner you deem appropriate; avoid posts that simply say "I hate him" or "He's the best"
To be included in the final synopsis and consensus outlook, you MUST provide projections for the playerProjections should include (at a minimum):

For QBs: Passing Yards, Passing TDs, Ints, Rush Yards, Rush TDs
For RBs: Rushes, Rushing Yards, Rush TDs, Receptions, Receiving Yards, Receiving TDs
For WRs & TEs: Receptions, Receiving Yards, Receiving TDsBest of Luck and ENJOY!

 

[diesel7982]

Foster- 280/1275/9, 45/375/2

Williams- 90/380/2, 10/80/0

 

[kaso]

Foster- 280/1275/9, 45/375/2

Williams- 90/380/2, 10/80/0

Those stats for Foster would put him in the top 10 RBs in the league, ahead of S Jackson, according to my numbers...

 

[diesel7982]

Foster- 280/1275/9, 45/375/2

Williams- 90/380/2, 10/80/0

Those stats for Foster would put him in the top 10 RBs in the league, ahead of S Jackson, according to my numbers...

 

[sholditch]

I think that everyone is forgetting that Foster couldn't beat out Stephen Davis for the starting spot last year, and Davis only managed 3.0 ypc. As far as I know Foster was in his usual limbo between hurt and healthy at the begining of 05, yet failed to top 900 rushing yards, even though the ypc was a respectable 4.3. Obviously his team has little confidence in his ability to stay on the field, and he is recovering from a broken leg and surgery. I see him doing a Preist/LJ 05 type split even he does fully recover. He should have the starting job handed to him, but everyone knows he's one injury away from losing it. I think that once DWill proves doubters wrong and shows his height is not a disadvantage for being a feature back, Foster will again be a backup/change of pace back. DWill's talent is undeniable, and this will be his team by season's end

Foster: 200 rushes for 800, 5 TDs; 35 receptions for 325 and 2 TDs

DeAngelo Williams: 100 for 400, 2 TDs; 20 receptions for 200 and 2 TDs

Eric Shelton: 50 for 200 yards, 6 TDs, 0 receptions

 

[Bob Magaw]

some positives for foster...

he only had about 900 yards... but due to presence of davis, only had more than 12 carries ONE time in first 10 games last year...

fox likes vets... he stayed with davis even when & after his play had clearly slipped... foster is, if nothing else, a vet as a fifth year player...

showed signs of breaking out with 317 yards last two complete games...

despite extensive injury history, CAR was in a better position to appraise his work than anybody else, & they reupped him to a multi-year contract...

i own foster in few leagues & deangelo in another... don't get me wrong, i do think williams is the more talented pure runner, by far... but i do think, if healthy, foster is underrated, & some are underestimating the value fox places on veterans... williams will get carries right away regardless... but if foster stays healthy (admittedly a big if), i think he is the feature RB this year, & williams may have to wait his turn...

he probably isn't nearly as fast now, but ran a 10.6 100 m as prep... & he is listed at 6' 222...

IF foster stays healthy, i think he will retain job & it wouldn't shock me if he puts up top 10 numbers...

* one inference that can be drawn from selection of deangelo is they are down on foster & intend to replace him with more talented RB asap... another would be that it would be crazy to NOT get insurance for foster given his history... & for that matter, history of RB position at CAR in recent seasons... davis had knee problems past 2-3 years, & not having two good RBs on team may have cost team in the playoffs last season... now if (some would say when ) foster goes down, they will have a very capable replacement...

williams also represented a tremendous intersection of team need (for RB depth & probable future starter) with BPA value at that point... some scouts thought williams had LT-like ability... even if he is RB of the future, value like that is OUTSTANDING investment in teams' future... i would expect nothing less from smart HC like fox & organization like CAR...

 

[Warpig]

I am a Foster owner.

I think he has proven that, WHEN HEALTHY, he can be a very productive back when given the carries. He has also proven thus far that he can't stay healthy and he hasn't received the Lion's share of the carries. I do think that Williams will cut into his carries some but I look at it as a good thing...to help preserve Foster's health for the play-off stretch. I loved Foster's intensity and the power he ran with a few years ago in the play-offs (especially when he lowered his shoulder and carried about 4 Eagles players into the endzone!) He is a slahing power runner as well as an exceptional receiver.

Foster: 275 - 1330 - 12

40 - 240 - 0

Williams: 65 - 270 - 1

10 - 40 - 1

 

[Rev]

In 4 NFL seasons, Foster has broken 4 bones, rushed for 4 TDs, and started 5 games. Many hope 2006 will be his "breakthrough" season... those with more realistic expecations would settle for a "break-free" season.

DeAngelo will soon be carrying the Panther's mail.

 

[UFO]

This post should just be deleted and started over. I live in Carolina and can tell you there is NO WAY Foster rushes for over 6TDs. Yet we have numerous people predicting 9, 12 more! Have you seen him in goal line situations...terrible

Agreed he has talent but will never last a 16 game season as go to guy, he can't even last being in a RBBC!

Best case scenario and he plays 16 games 1100/4 420/2.

 

[Phlash]

In 4 NFL seasons, Foster has broken 4 bones, rushed for 4 TDs, and started 5 games. Many hope 2006 will be his "breakthrough" season... those with more realistic expecations would settle for a "break-free" season.

"break-free", very clever

 

[David Yudkin]

Is it me, or does Foster resemble Michael Bennett--just with more injuries and a lower ypc?

Foster 33 of 64 games played

Bennett 64 of 80 games played

Foster 11.4 carries per game

Bennett 11.1 carries per game

Foster 4.1 career ypc

Bennett 4.5 career ypc

Foster 13.5 touches per game

Bennett 13.0 touches per game

Foster 47.4 rushing yards per game

Bennett 49.6 rushing yards per game

Foster 1 TD every 94 carries

Bennett 1 TD every 59 carries

Foster 2.1 receptions per game

Bennett 2.0 receptions per game

Foster 19.8 receiving yards per game

Bennett 16.3 receiving yards per game

Foster 1 TD every 23 catches

Bennett 1 TD every 25 catches

Foster 67.2 total yards per game

Bennett 65.9 total yards per game

Foster 1 TD every 63.7 touches (0.21 per game)

Bennett 1 TD every every 49.4 touches (0.27 per game)

I'm interested to hear why Foster will do any different than in the past or better than Bennett has done.

 

[jurb26]

Is it me, or does Foster resemble Michael Bennett--just with more injuries and a lower ypc?

Foster 33 of 64 games played

Bennett 64 of 80 games played

Foster 11.4 carries per game

Bennett 11.1 carries per game

Foster 4.1 career ypc

Bennett 4.5 career ypc

Foster 13.5 touches per game

Bennett 13.0 touches per game

Foster 47.4 rushing yards per game

Bennett 49.6 rushing yards per game

Foster 1 TD every 94 carries

Bennett 1 TD every 59 carries

Foster 2.1 receptions per game

Bennett 2.0 receptions per game

Foster 19.8 receiving yards per game

Bennett 16.3 receiving yards per game

Foster 1 TD every 23 catches

Bennett 1 TD every 25 catches

Foster 67.2 total yards per game

Bennett 65.9 total yards per game

Foster 1 TD every 63.7 touches (0.21 per game)

Bennett 1 TD every every 49.4 touches (0.27 per game)

I'm interested to hear why Foster will do any different than in the past or better than Bennett has done.

I used to be high on Foster looking at his talent. I've learned now though. The guy is just a wlaking injury and even his ability has started to diminish because of it. Williams should have very little problem taking this RB1 job by week 4 IMO. He is more durible and more talented at this point as well.

 

[offdee]

I used to be high on Foster looking at his talent. I've learned now though. The guy is just a wlaking injury and even his ability has started to diminish because of it.

This is my concern with Foster....I think he's a great talent, but at some point all those constant injuries/rehab have to take a toll on the body and speed up the declining of skills process. The guy has literally had an injury which has made him miss full games during the season stemming back to his high school days.

 

[Football Jones]

I think Fox will feature Foster this season if he remains healthy, but sooner or later, even though Foster is talented, Williams will overtake him sometime in the next two years, IMO (with or without a Foster injury).

I had Williams rated as the best pure runner in the '06 class. I'm not necessarily saying he'll be the best FF RB or have the best career, but this kid has the vision, instincts, & athletic ability to be a Pro Bowler. Not sure how much he'll play his rookie year & Foster being there is kind of worrisome for now, but I believe Williams will force his way into the starter's job before the '08 season.