Cardinals select Ryan Williams with second round pick
Apr 29, 2011, 9:48 PM | Updated: 11:50 pm
PHOENIX – The Arizona Cardinals have selected running back Ryan Williams with their second round pick at number 38.
“This is the only thing I’ve ever wanted to do in my whole life and I have an opportunity to do it,” said Williams.
He left college after an injury marred sophomore season at Virginia Tech.
Williams missed four games with a hamstring injury and rushed for 477 yards, a 4.3 yards-per-carry, with nine rushing touchdowns in 2010.
He had a spectacular freshman season in 2009 rushing for 1,655 yards averaging 5.6 yards-per-carry with 21 rushing touchdowns.
Williams had a good idea he might be headed to the desert to play for the Cardinals.
“When I went on my visit, they told me how interested they were in me. They told me they hoped and prayed I didn’t go past pick 38 because at pick 38 I would be a Cardinal,” said Williams.
The former Virginia Tech runner is considered to be a suspect pass blocker and receiver, but a dynamic runner.
Williams caught only 10 passes last season for 109 yards and one touchdown receiving.
Even during his freshman season, Williams only caught 16 passes for 180 yards and one touchdown receiving.
He was criticized for not having the greatest combine where he ran a slow 40-time.
“I never was big on the 40. Forty speed doesn’t determine how fast you are on the field because you don’t have pads on and 11 guys trying to tackle you. Forty and game speed are two different speeds,” said Williams.
Williams does have a reputation for being able to drive the pile after first contact.
“Probably my negative as far as running too hard is that I hate going down,” said Williams.
One has to wonder what the selection means for holdover running backs Beanie Wells and Tim Hightower.
Both have had problems holding onto the ball and Williams didn’t fumble the ball a single time his freshman season where he carried the ball over 300 times.
“I know it’s a crowded backfield, but I’m going to try my best to get on the field and help this team win,” said Williams.
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