Running back Williams ready for debut with Steelers

PITTSBURGH – Perhaps it’s fitting that DeAngelo Williams and his girlfriend celebrated the birth of a son last week.
When the Steelers travel to New England Thursday night to open the 2015 NFL season, Williams will celebrate something similar, the rebirth of his career.
After nine seasons with the Carolina Panthers, Williams will make his debut with the Steelers in place of suspended starter Le’Veon Bell.
This is why the Steelers signed Williams, the Panthers’ all-time leading rusher with 6,846 yards, as a free agent in the offseason. And he’s more than ready to carry the load, whatever that might be.
“A lot of people have put a lot of focus on me starting the first two games as if it is a two-game season for me,” said Williams. “It is a 16-game season for me.”
Bell had more than 2,200 yards of total offense last season, setting a Steelers’ record while leading the AFC in rushing. He also was the team’s second-leading receiver, catching 83 passes, the most by a running back in Steelers’ history.
After playing without an injured Bell in a season-ending playoff loss to the Ravens, the Steelers not only wanted solid backup for their star running back, they wanted a backup they felt could mimic his skills.
They feel they have that in Williams.
The Steelers will use Williams the same way they use Bell, including splitting him out as a wide receiver.
“He just might not be the first option like Le’Veon,” said quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.
Williams caught just one pass in the preseason to go along with 13 carries for 63 yards. The Steelers didn’t want to work the 32-year-old too hard, knowing they would need plenty out of him early on.
With Bell suspended, the other running backs on the roster have a combined 124 career NFL carries. And 110 of those belong to Jordan Todman, who was signed Sunday following his release by Carolina but is unlikely to dress for Thursday’s game. That would leave fullback Will Johnson and small but speedy Dri Archer as Williams’ backups.
Johnson has four career carries. Archer has 10.
Williams often split carries in Carolina, most notably with Jonathan Stewart. Because of that, he’s gotten 20 or more carries in a game just 14 times in his career. In 10 of those games in which Williams has topped 20 carries, he has rushed for 100 yards or more. He has rushed for 100 or more yards 18 times.
“He’s a good back and a very good runner. He’s been a productive player everywhere he’s been, even dating back to college,” said Steelers offensive coordinator Todd Haley of the former University of Memphis star. “In the NFL, he was in a platoon situation and was still effective. He understands protections well and knows how to run routes and catch the football. DeAngelo has come in here and listened to the coaches. He’s given 100 percent in the weight room. He has a lot of energy and we hear him all day long. We like those kinds of guys. From what I’ve seen, I’m excited to have him and I know he feels the same.”
Williams is excited, but not any more so than any other season opener.
“It’s a football game. It’s exciting just like Week 1 is just as exciting as Week 16,” Williams said. “It’s a privilege to play this game.”
There is one thing the Steelers would like to do for Williams against the Patriots. Actually, it’s something they feel he can help them do – win.
If that happens, his new son might get an early gift.
“He just had a baby so he’s ready to go win a game ball for it,” Roethlisberger said.
Odds and end zones
Only third-string quarterback Landry Jones (concussion) is questionable to play for the Steelers in Thursday night’s game. Jones is likely to be inactive regardless of his availability. … New England’s starting center, Brandon Stork, missed his third consecutive day of practice Tuesday with a concussion. Safety Tavon Wilson (quad) was limited for a third consecutive day.