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Breaking Down: Differences Between DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart

Posted on Author Matt HarmonCategories Breaking Down, News, Week 11: vs. FalconsTags , , ,

DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart have been together for seven seasons, but ‘Double Trouble’ hasn’t been what it once was for years now.This season, both running backs have missed multiple games with injuries, and the Panthers’ rushing attack is averaging an anemic 95.4 yards per game, which ranks 27th.Because of the problems on the offensive line, even a guy like Barry Sanders in his prime would have issues picking up huge chunks of yards. But when the Panthers do have some semblance of success on the ground, it’s clear Stewart is currently a much better back than Williams.Injuries have cost Stewart 20 games over the last three seasons, including three this year. His high salary and low production have been an understandable source of frustration, but one thing Stewart deserves credit for is how hard he continues to run.He’s also excelled at creating lanes in the backfield this season. Instead of dancing or hesitating, he’s manufacturing space the line isn’t providing. The clip below isn’t close to a spectacular highlight reel run, but it shows what Stewart is doing with very little help:http://i.imgur.com/Zna6Hho.gifvYou’ll notice the linebacker flash right in front of Stewart. He shuffles to the right without a clear hole in sight. That allows his blocker to remove the backer who would have had a free shot. Then, Stewart cuts back to the left into the hole he essentially created.Plays in the NFL go haywire pretty often, especially if there’s a suspect offensive line involved. A running back needs to be able to adjust quickly. Stewart is doing a lot of little things to gain room when it’s not there. Williams, on the other hand, isn’t:http://i.imgur.com/Epguidj.gifvThe clip above is a four-yard gain, which is how much Stewart gained on the run we previously highlighted. But the two runs are quite different.Williams simply follows the path available, and he goes down the moment traffic gets too tight. For a team with an already sputtering offense, that’s not good enough.Williams is really struggling with backfield disruption, which is a common occurrence in Carolina these days.On this next play, Williams runs right into the back of his blocker, a mistake caused by the Eagles’ immediate penetration:http://i.imgur.com/5GiPqm9.gifvA back bouncing a run to the outside usually isn’t a good sign, especially when the situation doesn’t call for it.Williams’ intention is to go horizontal to the line of scrimmage as soon as he takes the handoff. Holes appear to be developing in front of him, but he instead heads to the corner store:Here’s another example when Williams didn’t respond well to backfield disruption.When Eagles defensive end Brandon Blair (No. 93) comes free, Williams heads outside. He has some space to make someone miss, or to create a hole, but all he manages to do is run into the highlighted space:http://i.imgur.com/mGXREu2.pngWilliams is arguably the best back in franchise history, but he’s no longer a huge asset to the offense.The Panthers plan to start him again Sunday, which is a questionable choice by the coaching staff. Stewart, who can make something when facing a wall like this, needs to take over the starting job:With a bunch of bodies in front of him, Stewart cuts on a dime. Suddenly a play that looked dead has a little life. His foot frequency and stop-and-start quickness buy him a split second, and space eventually forms:Despite the presence of defenders in the gap, Stewart lowers his shoulders and powers through. Once again, he doesn’t just take what is given, but he creates an opportunity to gain as much yardage as possible.It may be a tough thing for some fans to accept, but the Panthers have to start phasing Williams out of the game plan. Considering the team’s offensive inabilities and the current difference in talent between the two backs, Stewart gives Carolina its best chance to be somewhat successful on the ground.[author title=”About the Author”]

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20 thoughts on “Breaking Down: Differences Between DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart”

  7. I agree, Stewart needs to see the majority of the snaps at RB. He can grind out more yards after contact compared with Williams. However, I think Williams still has some value to this offense — he can still be a homerun threat and he’s got some elite speed and cutback ability left (30 yard screen vs. Saints). 

    Ideally Stewart is getting the start with 15-20 touches a game, with Williams getting 5-10. 

    It’s also a shame Cam Newton is injured. If he were fully healthy I would see some triple option with Cam in pistol, Stewart as the dive man and Williams as the pitch man. The Panthers utilized Williams this way in the past and had lots of success.

  8. I agree, Stewart needs to see the majority of the snaps at RB. He can grind out more yards after contact compared with Williams. However, I think Williams still has some value to this offense — he can still be a homerun threat and he’s got some elite speed and cutback ability left (30 yard screen vs. Saints). 

    Ideally Stewart is getting the start with 15-20 touches a game, with Williams getting 5-10. 

    It’s also a shame Cam Newton is injured. If he were fully healthy I would see some triple option with Cam in pistol, Stewart as the dive man and Williams as the pitch man. The Panthers utilized Williams this way in the past and had lots of success.

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