Arizona Cardinals RB Ryan Williams confident with role
Sep 27, 2012, 2:29 AM | Updated: 5:57 am
Arizona Cardinals running back Ryan Williams is going to see the majority of the carries against Miami Sunday and for the foreseeable future.
With Beanie Wells sidelined for eight weeks on reserve/designated for return list with turf toe, Williams knows his role in the Cardinals running game will increase.
But he doesn’t feel any pressure. In fact, he feels more confident than ever after his performance against the Eagles last week.
“It made me feel like those are the plays and that was the mindset as far as the way that I ran that’s what I’ve been looking for since Week 1,” Williams said. “It made me more confident in getting my football eyes back and getting my football feet back up under me.”
He had the best game of his young career against Philadelphia, rushing 13 times for 83 yards.
Williams admitted thoughts of re-injuring his knee were in the back of his mind, but he said he was able to finally move on from those worries.
“I just left that all behind last week and I played and that’s what I got to continue to do for the rest of the season,” Williams stated.
The Cardinals second-year back said he won’t put pressure on himself to fill the void left by Wells.
“As a football player, when times like this come when your number is called, you are supposed to step up to the plate,” Williams said. “It’s what I’ve been wanting to do for the longest and that’s play a lot of football and I am getting the opportunity so I’ve got to do something with it.”
Williams said he could be used in some different situations this week if LaRod Stephens-Howling, who is nursing a hip flexor injury, isn’t ready.
“I might have to be the wildcat back and that’s really about it,” Williams said.
Regardless of what role he is tackling for the Cardinals, Williams said he doesn’t pay attention to the opposing defense. He just goes about his business and makes sure he is readily prepared for game day.
“When I watch film, I watch tendencies as far as blitzes. I need to make sure I am fundamentally sound in blitzes and blitz protection,” Williams said.
While Williams leads the Cardinals in rushing with 31 carries for 105 yards, he faces a pivotal test against the Dolphins, who rank third in the league against the run.
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