Thoughts on DeAngelo Williams moving forward? (1 Viewer)

[bluesclues]

Any chance this kid becomes the full time starter in the John Fox regime?

He appears to be a better fit than Foster, but one would never tell from his carries every game.

Thoughts

 

[VaCatFan]

My thoughts from yesterdays DeAngelo Williams thread......

Here are my thoughts on the Deshaun/DeAngelo debacle and debacle is all I can call it. DeShaun is a grinder. He doesn't have breakaway speed. He's 3 yards and a cloud of dust and periodically breaks the 5-15 yard run. DeAngelo is the burner. In the 2nd half of games when defenses are tired, he eats them up. I believe, read that again, I believe that DeAngelo can be the primary ball carrier for Carolina if he learns a few things.

1. Go FORWARD! He's hit so many times dancing around in the backfield that half of his runs are negative or for 0 yards. Barry Sanderish without all the flash.

2. Quit trying to take everything OUTSIDE! He could get away with that at Memphis as it's pretty well understood that the speed of the college game doesn't equate to the pros. When he's run well, he's gotten small, gotten through a hole and run away from defenses. He's gotta keep doing that.

3. Learn blitz pickup. He gets eaten pretty badly during blitz pickups. He's not dropping his hips and getting under defenders. They're running him over. This is something that can be learned and with time, I think he'll get better. If he doesn't, he'll always be a platoon player, which is a shame because if he becomes an all around player, I think he could be something special.

It almost seems like he's trying to get by on talent and speed alone. Not that I haven't heard he's a hard worker, but I expect next year will be the deciding year. Carolina wants a grind it out offense. Richardson got together with Fox and Hurney and talked about how to get back to their previous success. In the past, that was with Stephen Davis (grinder) and Foster (COP/3rd down back). It would not surprise me in the least to see them take a larger back somewhere from the 3rd round back and try to get back to that past success.

 

[Texasmouth]

Eventually hope has to be run out that Deshaun Foster will ever be as good as he was supposed to. Year in and year out I have waited for Foster to be that guy and he just never pans out.

Deangelo is really such an unknown factor because of Foster being there. Seems to me that after his rookie year success he would have won the job in preseason if he had earned it. Obviously he didnt. I think he has a lot of talent but will never be more than a complimentary player.

 

[King of the Wolfies]

My bad. He's on my team and will suck until the day after I drop him.

 

[hauser42]

Average back at best nothing to write home about or he would already have been starting for the Panthers.

 

[gianmarco]

I just think the Carolina backfield is a mess. They haven't had a successful runner there in a very long time and I really think a lot of it has to do with their blocking schemes and play calling. Both of those RB's need a change of scenery and I don't see it happening.

 

[ClownDogs]

Average back at best nothing to write home about or he would already have been starting for the Panthers.

I am starting to believe this. I once thought that he was the best RB in that class, but he can't beat out D.Foster? Something has got to be wrong. I dealt him before people actually realize that he won't amount to much.

 

[Captain Spaulding]

This reminds me alot of Brian Westbrook talk from about 3 years ago. Too small, not an everydown back, will be relinquished to 3rd down back next season etc. etc. Westbrook is a top 5 stud now and no one on this board (that I recall) had him marked to bocome this elite a RB.

 

[gianmarco]

This reminds me alot of Brian Westbrook talk from about 3 years ago. Too small, not an everydown back, will be relinquished to 3rd down back next season etc. etc. Westbrook is a top 5 stud now and no one on this board (that I recall) had him marked to bocome this elite a RB.

For every Westbrook that we hear these comments made about that turn out to be wrong, there are 10+ Tatum Bells.

 

[Loan Sharks]

D.Williams = Stud

 

[Craig_MiamiFL]

First post hit the nail on the head, stop dancing and trying to bounce everything out.

 

[JPeso]

He will be in an RBBC his entire career. Even if Carolina releases Foster, they will bring someone in to share carries for less money. 1st round RBs who haven't taken over by the end of year 2 probably won't.

 

[AllVolUT]

This reminds me alot of Brian Westbrook talk from about 3 years ago. Too small, not an everydown back, will be relinquished to 3rd down back next season etc. etc. Westbrook is a top 5 stud now and no one on this board (that I recall) had him marked to bocome this elite a RB.

Once he gets a legitimate shot, I say he doesn't look back on the Carolina backfield. Watching this guy in college was pretty amazing; though I know, I know...it's a whole different game. Defenses would try and key on him at Memphis but to no avail.The guy has talent and once he learns to not try and break the big one every down, then he should become a viable starting running back.

 

[Rev]

He will be in an RBBC his entire career. Even if Carolina releases Foster, they will bring someone in to share carries for less money. 1st round RBs who haven't taken over by the end of year 2 probably won't.

Define probably. Are you looking at percentages and stats for 1st round RBs in relation to when they start?

 

[Gridiron King]

In week 17 he showed what he can do now when given alot of touches and that could be a look of what's to come. Carolina needs to change their type of run game to fit his style and not the pound it style that S Davis was so good at.

I believe Deangelo just needed some time to develop and adjust to the NFL along with getting a larger role in order to get in the flow of the game. He might not ever be a top 10 back but time will tell if he's one of the best in his class along with Bush, Addai, White and Maroney. He still might be when it's all said and done.

 

[Burning Sensation]

Deagelo Williams stats over his first two years:

Less than 10 carries a game: 16 games, 79 carries, 257 yards 3.25 ypc, 0 TD's

10 or more carries a game: 12 games, 186 caries 961 yards 5.17 ypc, 5 TD's

7 of the 12 games with 10 or more caries came in 2007, with 4 of those over the last 5 games.

Would seem Deangelo plays better when he gets more carries in a game, and the Panthers were giving him more towards the end of the season. I am thinking Williams is a buy low right now.

 

[kevinallen]

Average back at best nothing to write home about or he would already have been starting for the Panthers.

I am starting to believe this. I once thought that he was the best RB in that class, but he can't beat out D.Foster? Something has got to be wrong. I dealt him before people actually realize that he won't amount to much.

Most Carolina observers will tell you he has, it's just a matter of something like Fox having his job on the line to stop playing Foster instead (Ehh, 2008 season?). Williams' detractors bring up things like he cant handle a full workload, he's too small, he doesnt pass block well enough, etc... My answer to these questions... Full workload? When given the full workload, he thrives, look at the stats and watch the games. Size? No one is suggesting him carry the ball 25 times a game. Cant pass block? Then why does he play on third downs and Foster doesnt. Especially with QB's like Testaverde, Carr, and Moore back there.

People can have their reasons he wont succeed, but until he's actually given the chance, no one will know for sure.

 

[kevinallen]

Deagelo Williams stats over his first two years:

Less than 10 carries a game: 16 games, 79 carries, 257 yards 3.25 ypc, 0 TD's

10 or more carries a game: 12 games, 186 caries 961 yards 5.17 ypc, 5 TD's

7 of the 12 games with 10 or more caries came in 2007, with 4 of those over the last 5 games.

Would seem Deangelo plays better when he gets more carries in a game, and the Panthers were giving him more towards the end of the season. I am thinking Williams is a buy low right now.

And on top of these facts, look at Williams' big-play ability compared to Fosters...Longest runs:

FOSTER 20 18 15 13 13 13 13 (five at 12)

WILLIAMS 75 39 35 32 23 22 16 14 14 (two at 13)

This is with Williams having almost 100 less carries on the season.

 

[BigJim®]

D.Williams = Stud

 

[Banger]

I'm always leary of guys that look to have the talent but can't take the job that seems ripe for the picking. I'll be avoiding D. Williams this year like I did he and Norwood last year. I'll let someone else deal with the headache.