How long do you give Deangelo Williams?

[nosuchthingasapanther]

Why aren't we asking how long for stewart?

1. because anyone with one good eye who watches the games can see beyond the stats and see stewart is outplaying williams.

2. stewart isn't starting the season with an injured snail's pace after recieving a $43 million contract.

[Dpantherman]

We need impartial opinions only. No nut-huggers allowed.

[Razeyfingers]

I get a kick out of every post I read about converting to a wideout like it wouldnt be a problem at all.

He can run right? He can catch screens right? fug it, put him in the slot since running a slant with a ball comin at you at 70 miles an hour is the same thing as catching a ball that is gently lofted in your general direction. Im exaggerating I admit but cmon now.

[theyhateme45]

Just a little FYI

First game hitting +100 rushing yds. in a game

2007: wk 6

2008: wk 5

2009: wk 6

I see a trend there....everyone knows he starts late....how about we wait until after the season is half over to start demanding the money back.

Just my opinion, but looking at contracts being signed by other RB's this year, I don't think you pay a RB the type of $$$ u paid D-Will to need 6 weeks to get going.

[Guest Irv]

I can't wait to cheer and yell "DEANGELO's BACK" what a great day that's gonna be.

[kdrh5]

Williams is a good player so I expect him to perform eventually. But he's definitely not the Barry Sanders Hall of Fame level back that his fan boys argued he was all summer and we shouldnt have paid him like he was, esp since he needs to split carries, have great blocking, and a few weeks to warm up. But I think he, and our running game as a whole, will improve as the season goes on so it really doesn't matter.

[pantherclaw]

"He got a big contract, derp. He should be barry sanders for that contract. Derp. We're a passing team now and passing teams don't use runningbacks, derp. He's obviously lost a step, derp. "

Sad that this ignorance is debated at all.

[Panthro]

There is no denying that he was a luxury not a need to have.

[Kevin Greene]

There is no denying that he was a luxury not a need to have.

Or we are one strained Stewart foot and DWill playing in New England away from the Huddle imploding on itself because 34 was allowed to walk.

I believe 2 years form now we will look back on retaining DWill as one of Hurney's better moves.

[maddog]

I still feel D-Will is still not 100% and maybe not seeing the field as well. However it's hard to see anything when there are 2 to 3 defenders in the backfield when you get the ball. D-Will is a more bounce it to the outside kind of back while Stewart is up the gut. Is it me or have D-Will's carries seemed like they were to be directed up the middle? I don't think the plays have catered to D-Will's style yet. Also with people batching about the money! Take a look at all the contracts across the board and tell me if them players are really worth the money by how they are performing.

[pantherclaw]

There is no denying that he was a luxury not a need to have.

you're right. Quality depth at such a skiill position is a luxury, until your top 2 are hurt....then it's no longer a luxury.

I understand, fans would rather weaken a team, then to keep one of it's strenghts.

Great debate.

[maddog]

Also thought that 32 was the age of a NFL RB to be considered "aged"!

[Hoenheim]

I still feel D-Will is still not 100% and maybe not seeing the field as well. However it's hard to see anything when there are 2 to 3 defenders in the backfield when you get the ball. D-Will is a more bounce it to the outside kind of back while Stewart is up the gut. Is it me or have D-Will's carries seemed like they were to be directed up the middle? I don't think the plays have catered to D-Will's style yet. Also with people batching about the money! Take a look at all the contracts across the board and tell me if them players are really worth the money by how they are performing.

You are absolutely right on the dwill carries thing. I cant even remember the last time he got some sort of wide right or left toss play.. I don't think we can really evaluate his running ability at this point until the panthers actually use some plays that utilize his strengths in evasion and speed rather than attempting to run him as a power back through the gut. And you're right about the blocking in the middle, he has dudes collapsing on him about 1 second after he touches the ball, so we need better run blocking as well.

THAT being said, if dwill still can't produce by say week 10 or later in the season than that, THEN I can say that somethings wrong (maybe his ability declined, age?, just bad running scheme and plays)

[Kevin Greene]

Also thought that 32 was the age of a NFL RB to be considered "aged"!

And DWill is 28.