The Arizona Cardinals and Ryan 'Lil' Sweetness' Williams

I hope that Cardinals’ fans realize what they picked up in the 2^nd round of April’s NFL draft. They picked up Ryan Williams (Lil’ Sweetness). Walter Payton Light is about to take the field in Phoenix, and the rewards of that selection shall be reaped.

For those that didn’t follow his college career, he was brilliant for two seasons with Virginia Tech.

His breakout was in 2009. As a redshirt freshman he rushed for 1,655 yards in thirteen games scoring a total of 21 touchdowns. He has speed, quickness, and power.

That power is often underrated, but I have seen him drag a safety 10 yards into the end zone (sorry for the poor quality).

A Virginia Tech coach recently said that Ryan Williams was the best player he ever coached. If you don’t believe him then ask a Hokie fan. They will tell you that he may have been nothing but impressive since he put that helmet on and stepped onto Worsham Field for the first time.

The Cardinals and their fans will have to be patient with the young running back but he has a tremendous upside. The lockout set back rookies as much as possible. Without the extra OTA’s and practices the rookies will be behind the curve (more than usual) to start out the season.

Williams is no different so it is necessary for Coach Ken Whisenhunt to use him properly.

The departure of Tim Hightower means that this has become a two horse race between Beanie Wells and Williams. The biggest question that faces Wells every year is his health. For the past couple of seasons Wells has been sharing reps with Hightower.

Hightower was the safety net for the Cardinals running game. He was a solid back but had fumble issues.

With Hightower in Washington, the safety net is gone. Wells has to remain healthy this year. He needs to be the starter this season.

Ryan Williams is behind the 8-ball right now, so if the Cardinals want a successful running game it will all fall on Wells.

Beanie Wells has to do more than stay healthy though. He has to play like he did in 2009 when he rushed for 793 yards and seven touchdowns. If he starts out the season playing like he did in 2010 (397 yds, 2 td’s) he will lose his starting job quickly.

While Whisenhunt has been using two running backs regularly, it isn’t by choice. Since drafting Wells in the first round in 2009 it has been a fight to keep him on the field. That led to having to use Hightower as well.

Hightower had trouble holding onto the ball. The two brought their own strengths and weaknesses, but Williams is more of a complete player.

Williams’s weakness is his youth and inexperience, as well as a history of hamstring injuries. Most people are of the belief that the hamstring injuries will disappear as he gets in better condition physically. The youth will work itself out.

He is a natural and NFL experience will only make him that much better.

Lil’ Sweetness will start out the season (barring injuries) as the number two running back. The best case scenario is that this is the case for most if not all of the season. If Whisenhunt can give him regular reps in the backfield (specifically on third downs) he will grow into a premiere running back.

Ryan Williams has the talent and the will to become Kevin Kolb’s right hand man in the backfield. With proper usage and coaching he could become a perennial Pro-Bowl candidate. Arizona fans, enjoy!