By Mike Cranston
Associated Press
CHARLOTTE ó 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.
Stewart, who got off to a quick start, then was slowed by a heel injury, has rushed for 513 yards and 4.3 per carry. Williams and Stewart each have six rushing touchdowns, and the Panthers rank sixth in the league in rushing at 133.7 yards per game.
“Jonathan is a little bit thicker, but they’re both very, very fast,” said Atlanta coach Mike Smith, whose Falcons (6-4) host Carolina (8-2) Sunday in an NFC South showdown. “I think they have great vision and they’re going to be a great challenge, not only for our football team this week, but going down the stretch. You’re going to have to try to contain that running game.”
While Williams and Stewart seem to have distinct styles, each can surprise. Stewart, a stocky 5-foot-10 and 235 pounds, has consistently been difficult to tackle, but has also shown breakaway speed.
The speedier Williams, at 5-foot-9 and 217 pounds, has touchdown runs of 56 and 69 yards in the past two games, but has also proved difficult to take down.
“He can bash you up and if you let him break he can take it 60 or 70 yards,” Williams said of Stewart. “I feel that I can be that same back, too. I think we are doing a great job of running the football with me and Stew.”
There is no disagreement on their personalities, which couldn’t be more distinct. Williams is constantly cracking jokes and playing pranks. He’ll give detailed reviews of horror movies to reporters, while breaking mid-sentence to make a sarcastic comment about a teammate’s clothes.
Stewart cringes when reporters come up to him. He clearly shies away from the spotlight.
“I think we complement each other very well,” Stewart said.
Williams and Stewart quickly became friends. They even celebrated with sideline dances after their three combined touchdowns against the Lions.
So after years of trying to establish the run, the Panthers may have finally found the right combination.
“I think they are both fine backs,” Fox said. “Hopefully they have a lot of more fine days ahead.”