Ryan Williams shines, gives glimpses of what could be

Flagstaff, Ariz. — It seems as though with every carry
Ryan Williams gets, the closer and closer he looks to
being the player the Cardinals were so excited about this
time one year ago.

Williams, who missed all of last season after rupturing
the patellar tendon in his right knee, has found a way to
impress nearly every chance he’s gotten this offseason.

The latest step was Saturday, as Williams broke off a pair
of the longest plays of the day, one of which was a 44-
yard scamper that was easily the highlight of the day for
the offense.

“That’s what I’m supposed to do,” Williams said after the
team’s annual Red and White scrimmage. “But you’ve got to
give kudos to everybody that blocked.”

Williams may want to give the credit to the guys up front,
but the strong moves, sharp cuts and vision have all been
on display in Flagstaff, and have to have coaches, players
and fans excited about what kind of season the 22-year-old
could have in 2012.

Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt, though, remains a bit
cautious.

“It’s a process with him,” he said. “I know we’re going to
have some days where he’s a little bit sore, but it was
great to see him out here [Saturday], it was nice to see
him take that long run, it was nice to see him have to go
inside and hit it up in there and make some cuts.

“Whenever a guy works as hard as Ryan has, you have a
special place in your heart that you want to see him do
well. I selfishly want him to do well because he’s a good
football player — at least, that’s what we think based on
what we saw — but it’s great for him to get out here and
do this.”

Unofficially Williams picked up 61
yards on eight carries, with 44 of them coming the one
run.

And while the running back admitted he’s not quite his old
self yet, being hit some Saturday and slipping around on
the moist grass without incident makes him believe he’ll
get there soon enough.

“I wouldn’t necessarily say I’m back, but I’ve still got
the whole month of August left and I’m getting close to
it,” he said.

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