DeAngelo Williams is a young Emmitt Smith

[Lomax to Green 84]

It will just be the Cards luck that they will pass on a smallish back like Williams and he will turn out to be the guy they have always been trying to find, another Emmitt Smith. Joe Bugel said it back in 1993 when they took Garrison Hearst that Hearst reminded them of a young Emmitt Smith. Bob Fergesun and Vince Tobin more than once said that Thomas Jones heart and work ethic reminded them of a young Emmitt Smith. Denny Green never came out and compared JJ Arrington to Smith, but he did say in 2004 that the reason he always loved Smith was because he was a great "seam" runner and on more than one occasion he said he loved JJ because he was a great seam runner.

Don't get me wrong, I love LenDale White. I think he will be an awesome addition to the Cards and will not be upset one bit if he is our guy. I just have this gut feeling about DeAngelo Williams. Its one of those (I've been a Cardinal fan for 30 years and I've been burned so many times before) kind of feeling. I can see us passing on the kid and him turning out to be a hall of fame type of back.

Why do I get this feeling? First, forget about the size issue with Williams. Just look at him as he stands next to other runningbacks and recievers. Williams may only weigh 208 pounds, but a large percentage of that body weight is in the lower half of his body. His calves and thighs are freaking huge for a guy his size. Second, he may not run a 4.3 at the combine but he has that suddenness that can't be measured when a guy runs a 40 yard dash. Did anyone catch the screen pass he caught and took 30 yards in the Senior Bowl. Looked like the kid was shot out of a cannon. And finally, he has that moxie, the attitude of a young Anquan Boldin. He is a natural leader, a go getter.

I hope I am wrong. I've always had this sick sixth sense with my beloved Cardinals. It goes all the way back to 1984 when we lost to the Redskins in the final game of the season that cost us the division title. I sat and listened to the game and could almost predict what was going to happen before it happened. It was that wierd and it is never for good things. It happened again in 2003 when we beat Minnesota. I sat on my couch and told my wife that we would beat the Vikings even when we were losing 17-6 and that we would lose out on the first pick in the draft. I get this same sick feeling with this upcoming draft. We will pass on Williams and he will be the next great one. I hope to heck I am wrong.

 

[Shane]

It will just be the Cards luck that they will pass on a smallish back like Williams and he will turn out to be the guy they have always been trying to find, another Emmitt Smith. Joe Bugel said it back in 1993 when they took Garrison Hearst that Hearst reminded them of a young Emmitt Smith. Bob Fergesun and Vince Tobin more than once said that Thomas Jones heart and work ethic reminded them of a young Emmitt Smith. Denny Green never came out and compared JJ Arrington to Smith, but he did say in 2004 that the reason he always loved Smith was because he was a great "seam" runner and on more than one occasion he said he loved JJ because he was a great seam runner.

Don't get me wrong, I love LenDale White. I think he will be an awesome addition to the Cards and will not be upset one bit if he is our guy. I just have this gut feeling about DeAngelo Williams. Its one of those (I've been a Cardinal fan for 30 years and I've been burned so many times before) kind of feeling. I can see us passing on the kid and him turning out to be a hall of fame type of back.

Why do I get this feeling? First, forget about the size issue with Williams. Just look at him as he stands next to other runningbacks and recievers. Williams may only weigh 208 pounds, but a large percentage of that body weight is in the lower half of his body. His calves and thighs are freaking huge for a guy his size. Second, he may not run a 4.3 at the combine but he has that suddenness that can't be measured when a guy runs a 40 yard dash. Did anyone catch the screen pass he caught and took 30 yards in the Senior Bowl. Looked like the kid was shot out of a cannon. And finally, he has that moxie, the attitude of a young Anquan Boldin. He is a natural leader, a go getter.

I hope I am wrong. I've always had this sick sixth sense with my beloved Cardinals. It goes all the way back to 1984 when we lost to the Redskins in the final game of the season that cost us the division title. I sat and listened to the game and could almost predict what was going to happen before it happened. It was that wierd and it is never for good things. It happened again in 2003 when we beat Minnesota. I sat on my couch and told my wife that we would beat the Vikings even when we were losing 17-6 and that we would lose out on the first pick in the draft. I get this same sick feeling with this upcoming draft. We will pass on Williams and he will be the next great one. I hope to heck I am wrong.

I would be willing to bet that if both RBs end up on a team where they have an oportunity to be "the man" that DW has a much better and more productive overall career than White.

 

[john h]

It will just be the Cards luck that they will pass on a smallish back like Williams and he will turn out to be the guy they have always been trying to find, another Emmitt Smith. Joe Bugel said it back in 1993 when they took Garrison Hearst that Hearst reminded them of a young Emmitt Smith. Bob Fergesun and Vince Tobin more than once said that Thomas Jones heart and work ethic reminded them of a young Emmitt Smith. Denny Green never came out and compared JJ Arrington to Smith, but he did say in 2004 that the reason he always loved Smith was because he was a great "seam" runner and on more than one occasion he said he loved JJ because he was a great seam runner.

Don't get me wrong, I love LenDale White. I think he will be an awesome addition to the Cards and will not be upset one bit if he is our guy. I just have this gut feeling about DeAngelo Williams. Its one of those (I've been a Cardinal fan for 30 years and I've been burned so many times before) kind of feeling. I can see us passing on the kid and him turning out to be a hall of fame type of back.

Why do I get this feeling? First, forget about the size issue with Williams. Just look at him as he stands next to other runningbacks and recievers. Williams may only weigh 208 pounds, but a large percentage of that body weight is in the lower half of his body. His calves and thighs are freaking huge for a guy his size. Second, he may not run a 4.3 at the combine but he has that suddenness that can't be measured when a guy runs a 40 yard dash. Did anyone catch the screen pass he caught and took 30 yards in the Senior Bowl. Looked like the kid was shot out of a cannon. And finally, he has that moxie, the attitude of a young Anquan Boldin. He is a natural leader, a go getter.

I hope I am wrong. I've always had this sick sixth sense with my beloved Cardinals. It goes all the way back to 1984 when we lost to the Redskins in the final game of the season that cost us the division title. I sat and listened to the game and could almost predict what was going to happen before it happened. It was that wierd and it is never for good things. It happened again in 2003 when we beat Minnesota. I sat on my couch and told my wife that we would beat the Vikings even when we were losing 17-6 and that we would lose out on the first pick in the draft. I get this same sick feeling with this upcoming draft. We will pass on Williams and he will be the next great one. I hope to heck I am wrong.

Hearst was more of a between the tackles power runner I think. I believe he was 10-15 lbs heavier than Smith. Both looked good coming out of college. Of course Garrison was injured early on and Emitt was Emitt.

 

[john h]

I would be willing to bet that if both RBs end up on a team where they have an oportunity to be "the man" that DW has a much better and more productive overall career than White.

I sort of think White will be the better back but in either case it is a roll of the dice. Clearly White is more of a power runner and much bigger. I think he can easily add 10 more pounds which will put him near 240. He is a guy we need in the red zone. DW is much like JJ. We do not need two like JJ. Every team needs a short yardage back. White will be that plus more. (I think)

 

[Duckjake]

Joe Bugel said it back in 1993 when they took Garrison Hearst that Hearst reminded them of a young Emmitt Smith.

In 1993 Emmitt Smith was a young Emmitt Smith.

 

[Russ Smith]

Hearst was more of a between the tackles power runner I think. I believe he was 10-15 lbs heavier than Smith. Both looked good coming out of college. Of course Garrison was injured early on and Emitt was Emitt.

hearst got a lot bigger in the NFL, he was no bigger than Williams when he came out of Georgia. He was known as a speed runner when we picked him. That's what Buddy didn't like, he felt Hearst was soft.

 

[Redrage]

Hearst was listed as 5' 10", 215 coming out of Georgia. Like many backs he mraculously gw an inch and a half over the couse of his career.

 

[J4Cards]

In 1993 Emmitt Smith was a young Emmitt Smith.

"And finally, he has that moxie, the attitude of a young Anquan Boldin." -- Holian

In 2006, Anquan Boldin is a young Anquan Boldin.

J4Cards

 

[duckfallas]

We heard this with Thomas Jones too.

Williams reminds me too much of Arrrington. The team had a problem with the short, tough yards. White + Arrington is a better fit for this offense.

 

[Pariah]

White + Arrington is a better fit for this offense.

For the life of me, I cannpt figure out why people insist of including arrington into this equation. If we get White in the draft, he's our feature back. JJ becomes a 3rd down back at best.

 

[golfcardfan]

Has Arrington proved to be more than a 3rd down back? I would rather have white & arrington then we can do different things offensively

 

[spanky1]

For the life of me, I cannpt figure out why people insist of including arrington into this equation. If we get White in the draft, he's our feature back. JJ becomes a 3rd down back at best.

Pariah,

For the life of me.....what's wrong with Arrington becoming a 3rd down back.

 

[Pariah]

Pariah,

For the life of me.....what's wrong with Arrington becoming a 3rd down back.

Nothing. If he doesn't improve I hope that's what he becomes. But when people talk about vaunted run games they usually don't include the 3rd down back. If I say White/Arrington running attack, that (to me) implies that he'll be more than a 3rd down back.

 

[BigRedFan]

Williams will never be another Emmitt Smith, as long as he plays for the Cardinals. Compare the O-line the Cowboys had back then to the Cardinals O-line now.

It will just be the Cards luck that they will pass on a smallish back like Williams and he will turn out to be the guy they have always been trying to find, another Emmitt Smith. Joe Bugel said it back in 1993 when they took Garrison Hearst that Hearst reminded them of a young Emmitt Smith. Bob Fergesun and Vince Tobin more than once said that Thomas Jones heart and work ethic reminded them of a young Emmitt Smith. Denny Green never came out and compared JJ Arrington to Smith, but he did say in 2004 that the reason he always loved Smith was because he was a great "seam" runner and on more than one occasion he said he loved JJ because he was a great seam runner.

Don't get me wrong, I love LenDale White. I think he will be an awesome addition to the Cards and will not be upset one bit if he is our guy. I just have this gut feeling about DeAngelo Williams. Its one of those (I've been a Cardinal fan for 30 years and I've been burned so many times before) kind of feeling. I can see us passing on the kid and him turning out to be a hall of fame type of back.

Why do I get this feeling? First, forget about the size issue with Williams. Just look at him as he stands next to other runningbacks and recievers. Williams may only weigh 208 pounds, but a large percentage of that body weight is in the lower half of his body. His calves and thighs are freaking huge for a guy his size. Second, he may not run a 4.3 at the combine but he has that suddenness that can't be measured when a guy runs a 40 yard dash. Did anyone catch the screen pass he caught and took 30 yards in the Senior Bowl. Looked like the kid was shot out of a cannon. And finally, he has that moxie, the attitude of a young Anquan Boldin. He is a natural leader, a go getter.

I hope I am wrong. I've always had this sick sixth sense with my beloved Cardinals. It goes all the way back to 1984 when we lost to the Redskins in the final game of the season that cost us the division title. I sat and listened to the game and could almost predict what was going to happen before it happened. It was that wierd and it is never for good things. It happened again in 2003 when we beat Minnesota. I sat on my couch and told my wife that we would beat the Vikings even when we were losing 17-6 and that we would lose out on the first pick in the draft. I get this same sick feeling with this upcoming draft. We will pass on Williams and he will be the next great one. I hope to heck I am wrong.

 

[Redsz]

For the life of me, I cannpt figure out why people insist of including arrington into this equation. If we get White in the draft, he's our feature back. JJ becomes a 3rd down back at best.

But that's really just your opinion, Pariah. Hypothetically, they both could split carries. Or Lendale could primary be used in the red zone. Or what ever.

We did use a high 2nd round pick on Arrington. Green does like him and was defending him at the end of the year. So I'm kinda struggling to see how Green would suddenly push JJ into the background as a 3rd down back.

 

[Pariah]

But that's really just your opinion, Pariah. Hypothetically, they both could split carries.

Yup. Just about everything I say is just my opinion. I used to have a signature that acted as that disclaimer.

We did use a high 2nd round pick on Arrington. Green does like him and was defending him at the end of the year. So I'm kinda struggling to see how Green would suddenly push JJ into the background as a 3rd down back.

If Green is going to base his decisions on pride and where he drafted Arrington, then we can all forget about drafting White. If he hasn't given up on him yet, the we'll either go with Shipp/Arrington, or Jackson/Arrington next year. We'll also probably re-sign Redmond (IMO).

 

[Russ Smith]

Nothing. If he doesn't improve I hope that's what he becomes. But when people talk about vaunted run games they usually don't include the 3rd down back. If I say White/Arrington running attack, that (to me) implies that he'll be more than a 3rd down back.

Ideally it'll be like Mike anderson and tatum Bell in Denver, only White might actually be better than Anderson. I don't expect our OL to be that good of course, but Denver doesn't have our Wr's either.

We're nowhere near that now of course.

 

[Duckjake]

"And finally, he has that moxie, the attitude of a young Anquan Boldin." -- Holian

In 2006, Anquan Boldin is a young Anquan Boldin.

J4Cards

Maybe the guy meant that Hearst was as good as Emmitt was in Pop Warner.

 

[Redsz]

Yup. Just about everything I say is just my opinion. I used to have a signature that acted as that disclaimer.

Ha. Yeah, but you said that if we drafted a RB high he would become the starter. It sounded 'pretty matter of factly'. Like a great voice came from above and said 'it shall be so'.

But really, we don't know how Green or the coaching staff would choose to use the backs this year. Using them in a tandem and situational use are totally possible.

If Green is going to base his decisions on pride and where he drafted Arrington, then we can all forget about drafting White. If he hasn't given up on him yet, the we'll either go with Shipp/Arrington, or Jackson/Arrington next year. We'll also probably re-sign Redmond (IMO).

It's not necessarly (sp?) a pride issue. But like Green, I would be very reluctant to throw JJ (or anyother young back) on the scrap heap after one year.

So I'm just trying to keep the possibility open that JJ will be more than a 3rd down back (even if we draft a RB high) next year.

 

[Shane]

WHat remarks are you referring to that you keep saying Green Defended Arrington at the end of the year. I dont recall him emphatically sticking up for JJ at any point near the end or at the end of the season.

 

[CardsFan222]

It will just be the Cards luck that they will pass on a smallish back like Williams and he will turn out to be the guy they have always been trying to find, another Emmitt Smith.

Green pass on a small back???????

 

[Redsz]

WHat remarks are you referring to that you keep saying Green Defended Arrington at the end of the year. I dont recall him emphatically sticking up for JJ at any point near the end or at the end of the season.

I'm refering to his final press confrence of this year. Which is the last time I have heard Green speak to the media since the end of the season. It should be archived here (if you search) or at azcardinals.com if you wish to find it.

Here is his quotes on Arrington:

'It wasn't that long ago that people were convinced Thomas Jones couldn't play. You were wrong. You were wrong because you weren't patient enough. And now Jones is on a team that is 12-4 and the #5th pick (Cedric Benson) is on the bench behind him'.

'Players coming out of high school/college have a certain amount of ability. You don't lead the nation in rushing unless you can run the rock. JJ Arrington can run the rock. Did he have a good year? No. Can bad habits kick in when you don't get blocking? Probably always. It's like Basketball, if a guy drives alot but always get called for it. He isn't going to drive very well.'

'I think JJ is not pleased at all. When he watches film every week, he says that I always thought I was better than that. And I think he is better than that. But it's going to be up to him to prove it. And we don't mind that.'