DeAngelo in 2004.....a preview of things to come...

[ShutDwn]

He's fast enough to score 20 touchdowns.

The reasons for him falling can be justified though, many other players were talented as well and simply filled a need much better. I don't think any of you would have passed on Reggie Bush coming out, and he is still a great player.

DeAngelo has proven that he is more than just a scat back, he has broken many tackles and can drive for more yards. I am so glad we had the patience with him, he is a great person and player to have as a star. I am also excited that Stewart can be just as good, which is pretty scary.

[Vagrant]

4.5 against the wind

4.38 with wind

I think he is faster than 4.55 4.55 may have happened on a given day, but I think he is more in the 4.4 range.

In either case, no one ever catches him from behind. Shows you what scouts know...not a lot...they stereotype too much.

I'm not sure what games you've been watching, but DeAngelo has been walked down a number of times this year. He's not nearly as fast as Jonathan Stewart but what he is as shifty of a runner as there is in the league. If he had better speed, he'd be Barry Sanders.

And the pro day numbers mean very little to me. Teams are notorious for helping players look better in pro days. What you can do at the combine as compared to everybody else that does it on the same day.

And i'm not dumping on DeAngelo. He's one of my favorite Panthers and has been nothing short of vital for this team this year. However, he has a glaring weakness in terms of breakaway speed. And before the 30 yard touchdown runs are busted out, i'll say that his speed is adequte but not impressive. It's his vision and lateral agility that creates those long runs. He's a smart back and he can manuver in open field to evade faster players in open space but a track star he is not.

[megadeth078]

20 touchdowns shows that it don't matter

[Ashor]

4.5 against the wind

4.38 with wind

I think he is faster than 4.55 4.55 may have happened on a given day, but I think he is more in the 4.4 range.

In either case, no one ever catches him from behind. Shows you what scouts know...not a lot...they stereotype too much.

That doesn't even matter, LT ran a 4.54.

[CharlotteBeer.com]

I'm not sure what games you've been watching, but DeAngelo has been walked down a number of times this year.

Yep, he's been run down several times this year and last.

But as others have said, you can't argue with twenty touchdowns.

[Vagrant]

Yep, he's been run down several times this year and last.

But as others have said, you can't argue with twenty touchdowns.

Very true, and I wouldn't even try.

As I mentioned, he's an awesome player. It's just that we shouldn't give him credit for things he doesn't have.

[Mr. Scot]

I would bet cash money Indy wanted him.

Imagine what he would have done there

Story's been circulated that we really wanted Maroney in that draft, but the Pats got him ahead of us so we took Williams.

True? Don't know, but I'm pretty happy with how it worked out.

[Kyle82]

Story's been circulated that we really wanted Maroney in that draft, but the Pats got him ahead of us so we took Williams.

True? Don't know, but I'm pretty happy with how it worked out.

[adallastiger]

....except when someone had the angle on him. I agree there are a few faster backs out there, but there is track speed and then there is speed when someone is chasing you. He is ridiculously fast, though I believe there are, yes, a few faster backs.

It was my understanding that they wanted Maroney also, but he was of course taken by New England.

Barry Sanders may have been a touch faster, agreed. By the same token, he could not run between the tackles like D can. No way I'd trade D for Barry, though both are greatness.

[Mr. Scot]

Barry Sanders would have given his two front teeth to have an offensive line like the one Williams is running behind right now.

I doubt the Lions ever had a group of uglys to rival the current Panther line anytime in Sanders tenure.

[solorca]

Even though I doubt it was their intention, the lack of playing time over the first two years could have been the best thing to happen to DeAngelo. After being pretty much the entire Memphis offense for his final two college seasons, a few seasons with less touches probably made him a much better player. Not to mention the mental aspect of learning the game.

While I love what DeAngelo has done, it's also worth noting that he didn't look nearly this good last season...or even close. The offensive line deserves just as much credit for his performance this year.

[Raskle]

Barry Sanders would have given his two front teeth to have an offensive line like the one Williams is running behind right now.

I doubt the Lions ever had a group of uglys to rival the current Panther line anytime in Sanders tenure.

Exactly.. I remember feeling sorry for Barry. He kept having to run behind the Lions "Swiss Cheese" line for a decade. He would have had even more monster numbers had he had Emmitt's line to rush behind in the 90s.

[TheJza]

They were thinking that they have never seen these guys play in the NFL, and they were all studs in college....

I'll try to keep my broken record to a minimum, but to your point...you can't "see someone play", unless they get the rock. Its also important to note, that Williams averaged 4.1, and 5.0 ypc the last two years respectively. So, add that with the big play ability he has shown and its simply a tale of not getting the ball enough, in the past. Thankfully, that has been corrected.

One final note, to whoever reads this, and to whom it applies. I told you that you dont need "a big back" to rush for touchdowns. Its a fad, and its unnecessary. You simply need a decent offensive line, and a tough back who knows how to find the crease!

DeAngelo has proven that, yet again.

[frash.exe]

Williams had mostly elusiveness and speed in college. In the NFL, and in a run-up-the-middle style offense we've got, it requires you to have power so you can break tackles, so he had to get stronger the past few years to be able to do that. And he has.