WRAL Sports Fan

Carolina Panthers

Panthers run their way to playoff spot

By Ken Medlin

Jan 6, 2009

The Carolina Panthers have always been built for a strong running game. And this year, the Panthers’ ground attack may be their best yet.

Carolina rushed for a club-record 2,437 yards this season, thanks to a two-headed monster in the backfield - DeAngelo Williams and rookie Jonathan Stewart.

“I felt the running game would be pretty darn good. You know, the touchdowns DeAngelo has had - the number has been outstanding,” quarterback Jake Delhomme said. “And the long runs, you don’t anticipate something like that happening in a season.”

Williams has six touchdown runs of 30 yards or longer this season, only one less than the record set in 1958 by Hall of Famer Jim Brown of the Cleveland Browns.

He also set a franchise record with 1,515 yards on the ground, with 18 touchdowns, while Stewart racked up 836 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Those are lofty numbers for a pair of guys with lofty goals.

“Our expectations are high,” Williams said. “I don’t think we’ve exceeded our expectations by no means. It keeps us hungry. Once you become satisfied, that becomes your enemy.”

The Williams-Stewart tandem draws comparisons to another pair of Panther backs - Stephen Davis and DeShaun Foster led Carolina to an NFC championship. But so far this group has outperformed even them

“Our running back tandem, I think, is a little bit better than it was that year (2003-04), not to slight what Stephen Davis and DeShaun Foster brought to the table,” said Panthers receiver Muhsin Muhammad.

“We’re not satisfied,” Williams said. “We have a lot of room for improvement and to get better.”

The Panthers emphasized running the football during training camp … and now that off-season focus is paying post-season dividends.