by Dave Richard | Senior Fantasy Writer (5/23/2013) Cardinals running back Ryan Williams told the Arizona Republic that he was more concerned about his knee than his play last season, saying he played scared. Williams came back from a torn patella tendon suffered in 2011 and wasn't ready for the physical punishment that comes with playing running back. Per the story, he got nervous when then-quarterback Kevin Kolb would call '39 toss' because it exposed his right side and his injured knee. The lack of confidence left him "pretty much scared all last year to get the ball in my hands." He added hurting his shoulder was a "blessing" because it allowed him time to get his knee feeling good. Now he says he's not scared anymore. "This is the healthiest I've felt in the past two years," Williams said. "It feels good to be able to run like myself, instinctive and not having to think about what I’m doing, just going out and doing it. I've been working real hard, so things are looking good. My stars are aligned this year."
Williams to fight for job
by Jamey Eisenberg | Senior Fantasy Writer (5/14/2013) The Cardinals official team website reports that the running back battle for the starting job between Rashard Mendenhall, Ryan Williams and rookies Stepfan Taylor and Andre Ellington could be wide open. “You really can’t tell until the lights come on,” coach Bruce Arians said. “... Until you turn the lights on, you really don’t know about them.” Mendenhall had his best years under Arians in Pittsburgh and now that he’s had so much time to recover from his knee issues – plus his one-year-need-to-prove-it contract – he could be primed for a rebound season. Williams seems certain he will be effective this year, after never being certain in his knee early last season before suffering his shoulder problem. If both come through, Taylor and Ellington won’t be needed. Even if they are, they have to show they are ready.
Williams' future looking bright
by Dave Richard | Senior Fantasy Writer (3/11/2013) The Cardinals released veteran running back Beanie Wells before the start of free agency, helping pave the way for Ryan Williams to get a legitimate chance to contribute on a larger basis in 2013. Though the Cardinals are still expected to add another running back Williams has been the prized pupil of new head coach Bruce Arians thus far. In February, Arians made no qualms about Williams' athletic ability, adding he needs to stay healthy to truly make an impact. General manager Steve Keim chimed in, adding that the team is "expecting big things out of Ryan moving forward."
Sounds like Cards like RB Williams
by Dave Richard | Senior Fantasy Writer (2/21/2013) Cardinals general manager Steve Keim and head coach Bruce Arians both had nice things to say about third-year running back Ryan Williams on Thursday. Speaking from the NFL combine, Arians made no qualms about Williams' athletic ability, adding he needs to stay healthy. That's been a problem for Williams after he tore a patella tendon and missed his entire rookie year, then had shoulder surgery that wiped out a huge portion of his second season. Keim was especially optimistic about Williams. "He’s a guy that, watching film with Bruce, because he got injured early in the season, you forgot the type of run skills Ryan had," Keim said according to the official team's website. "We watched him against Philadelphia, we watched him against New England, his lateral quickness, his natural run skills, his avoid-ability is something he brings to the table. Plus he’s a three-down back. We’re expecting big things out of Ryan moving forward."
Williams admits concern over roster spot
by Dave Richard | Senior Fantasy Writer (2/13/2013) Cardinals running back Ryan Williams told the official team website he's worried about his spot on the roster after suffering what the site says was a coracoid process fracture to his left shoulder in Week 5. But he's also happy about coming back from the injuries (the shoulder and the knee injury suffered as a rookie) if only so he can prove doubters wrong. "I've got the label of damaged goods," Williams said. "People can say what they want to say, feel how they feel. I don't want anybody on my side. I know they are going to talk, say what they will say, and that's cool. I don't need anybody on my side. I need all those doubters, I need all those haters."
Arians 'loves' RB Williams
by Dave Richard | Senior Fantasy Writer (1/28/2013) Bruce Arians said his familiarity with Virginia Tech Hokies football has given him a good working knowledge of ex-Hokie and current Cardinals running back Ryan Williams. "I know that Ryan [Williams] can flat run the football," the new Cardinals head coach told FOX Sports. "I'm a Hokie. I know all about Ryan and I love him."
