Is DeAngelo Williams the Next Brian Westbrook?

On Thanksgiving, Brian Westbrook helped rejuvenate an Eagles offense that had been struggling the last couple of weeks in a 48-20 win over the Arizona Cardinals. Westbrook rushed 22 times for 110 yards and recorded four touchdowns, two rushing and two receiving.

In a tight battle for the NFC South title, DeAngelo Williams helped the Carolina Panthers win on the road 35-31 over Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. DeAngelo helped lead the way by rushing 21 times for 72 yards and four touchdowns.

Two star running backs on two different teams, each fighting for a playoff spot in the NFC. Both players scoring four touchdowns in Week 14.

When Westbrook scored four touchdowns against the Cardinals on Thursday, I thought he would be the top running back statistically in the NFL. It's not everyday we get to see a running back score four times in one day (unless your name is Ronnie Brown).

Looks like I spoke too soon.

Williams nearly matched Westbrook's statistics for Week 14 in the Panthers comeback win against the Packers.

Williams has emerged as one of the top running back threats in the NFL this season. The more I thought about it, the more he reminded me of Eagles running back Brian Westbrook.

Small Division I College

Most star running backs in the NFL are known for attending a big name school. Adrian Peterson attended Oklahoma University. Clinton Portis attended University of Miami.

DeAngelo Williams was drafted the 27th overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft by the Carolina Panthers after attending the University of Memphis. They play with teams such as Houston and University of Central Florida in Conference USA.

Memphis may never get the national recognition as teams in the SEC or the Big 12, but Williams helped put Memphis on the map for football.

While attending Memphis, Williams set NCAA Div. I-A records for most career all-purpose yards with 7,573. He also set the record for most career 100-yard rushing games with 34. He ranks fourth on the all-time rushing list with 6,026 yards.

Brian Westbrook found himself in a similar situation at Villanova University. Villanova's football program currently plays Division I-AA in the Colonial Athletic Association.

At Villanova, Westbrook set the NCAA all-time record for career all-purpose yards with 9,512. He also broke 41 school records, 13 Atlantic 10 records, and five NCAA records.

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid first heard about Westbrook after reading numerous articles in Philadelphia newspapers. In the 2002 NFL Draft, Reid and the Eagles drafted Westbrook in the third round.

Both running backs have established their careers in the NFL after attending small Div. I schools to play football. Both running backs proved that it doesn't take a big name Division I school to be successful in the NFL.

Small Guys Can Play Football!

Most athletes in professional sports are tall. Back in the day when I was involved in sports, I even struggled playing because all of the kids I played against were at least six feet tall. When you are only 5'9", it can be difficult to play against the bigger guys.

For guys such as Williams and Westbrook, being small has its advantages.

Williams stands at 5'9". Westbrook stands at 5'10". Over the last couple of seasons, these guys have shown the rest of the league that small guys can play football.

Their height and speed can be a headache for opposing defenses. Being small allows them to move around the field easier and squeeze through smaller holes on the field.

These two star running backs play against defenses that have athletes who are usually at least six feet tall. Thanks to these guys, it gives small people such as myself hope that height doesn't matter in sports. Anything is possible if you work hard enough for it.

Triple-Threat

Most teams are lucky enough to have a running back that can be a threat running the ball. Other teams, such as the San Diego Chargers, are lucky enough to have a running back that can be a threat running and catching the ball.

When a team has a running back that can run, catch, and return kick offs, they are lucky enough to have a player who is a triple-threat.

This season, Williams has recorded 13 total touchdowns for the Carolina Panthers in 12 games. Before this season, Williams found himself returning kickoffs for the Panthers on special teams. Not only can he run and catch the ball, but he has the speed to return kickoffs too.

Westbrook is in the same situation. This season, Westbrook has recorded 12 total touchdowns in 10 games. Over the last three seasons, he has scored at least 10 total touchdowns.

Early in his career, Westbrook found himself as one of the primary punt returners for the Eagles. Every once in a while, the Eagles will use Westbrook as a returner if they are in need of a big play. One of his biggest returns came in 2003 when he returned a punt for a touchdown in the final two minutes to defeat the New York Giants.

Westbrook is capable of playing any position to help the Eagles win. Whether it's running, receiving, or returning, he has shown us that he is capable of doing it all.

Third Season: First Year as a Full-Time Starter

Before this season, DeAngelo Williams found himself losing carries to former Panthers starter DeShaun Foster. This season, Foster signed with the San Francisco 49ers.

The Panthers spent one of their 2008 draft picks on rookie running back Jonathan Stewart this season. Once again, Williams found himself sharing carries with another running back. However, this time was different.

This time, Williams is the starting running back and Stewart is the No. 2 man. Williams has shown the Panthers and the rest of the NFL why he is emerging as one of the top running backs in the NFL.

Through 12 games this season, Williams has recorded 955 yards on the ground and 11 touchdowns. This past week was the first time in five games that Williams didn't record 100 yards rushing in a game. On the bright side, he still managed to get into the end-zone four times.

Early in his career, Brian Westbrook was part of the "Three-Headed Monster" at running back for the Philadelphia Eagles. With Deuce Staley, Correll Buckhalter, and Brian Westbrook at running back, the Eagles were tough to stop on the ground.

Staley eventually parted ways with Philadelphia and signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. In his third season in the NFL, Brian Westbrook found himself as a full-time starter for the Philadelphia Eagles.

His numbers may not have been Pro-Bowl worthy, but Westbrook put up decent numbers considering he only played 13 games due to injury. He rushed for 812 yards and three touchdowns.

This season, Westbrook has only played in 10 games due to knee and rib injuries. In those 10 games, Westbrook has rushed for 657 yards and eight touchdowns.

DeAngelo Williams and Brian Westbrook have proved to be two of the best running backs in the NFL this season. Both have emerged as top starters after attending small Div. I schools. Both are small when it comes to height. Both are capable of being a triple-threat.

Westbrook has more experience in the league than Williams. However, it seems as if Williams is following the same foot steps Westbrook did to establish himself as one of the top running backs in football.

Expect Williams to be a threat for opposing teams for the remainder of the season. Before you know it, we will be hearing everybody talk about how DeAngelo Williams is one of the top running backs in the league, just like they have for Brian Westbrook the last couple of seasons.