Carolina running backs giving Panthers a running start

By MIKE CRANSTON | The Associated Press • Published November 20, 2008

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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — DeAngelo Williams is shifty, a big-play threat and a chatterbox. Jonathan Stewart is heavier, stronger, a chore to tackle and not much of a talker.

They’ve combined their different styles and personalities to finally give the Carolina Panthers an effective running game after years of futility.

“They both run hard. They both see the holes very well,” fullback Brad Hoover said. “They are both able to break tackles and get in and out of holes.”

Williams has rushed for over 100 yards in three straight games. The rookie Stewart rushed for a career-high 130 yards Sunday, when the Panthers rolled up a franchise-record 264 yards rushing in a 31-22 win over Detroit. It marked the first time in Carolina history two backs went over 100 yards in the same game.

“I think these are both very good running backs just scratching the surface,” quarterback Jake Delhomme said.

“DeAngelo, you can see is kind of coming into his own. With Stew, the surface hasn’t been scratched.”

The two-headed running approach came after a busy offseason. Determined to get back to the run-first style that helped produce the team’s only Super Bowl appearance following the 2003 season, the Panthers overhauled their offensive line and released DeShaun Foster, last year’s starting running back.

The Panthers then elevated Williams, the team’s first-round pick in 2006 and Foster’s backup last year, to the starting role. On draft day they took Stewart with the 13th pick.

While there was an early focus among observers over whether Stewart could overtake Williams as the starter, coach John Fox kept insisting he was going to use both.

Williams has already surpassed last year’s rushing total of 717 yards, racking up 782 at 5.1 yards per carry through 10 games. He’s on pace to become only the third back in team history to go over 1,000 in a season. Stephen Davis rushed for 1,444 in Carolina’s Super Bowl season, and Anthony Johnson had 1,120 in 1996, when the Panthers lost in the NFC championship game.