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We are now 13 weeks into the NFL season, and Green Bay Packers rookie Jamaal Williams is making a name for himself. While Green Bay's star offensive players have been sidelined this season due to injuries, Williams has provided a spark in his past four games at the running back position.
During recent contests, we have seen many star players, including Ty Montgomery, Aaron Jones, and Aaron Rodgers watch from the sideline. With "The Pack" being short of their top-string running backs, the future looked dismal.
Jamaal Williams to the rescue
Luckily for Green Bay, Aaron Jones was ready to play against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this past week. However, the Packers received an early Christmas present this year: Jamaal Williams, who is a pleasant surprise that the "Green and Gold" desperately needed.
Although Williams, a fourth round draft pick in this year's draft, had seen time earlier in the season, he averaged only just over five yards in his first eight games. At the time, the former BYU record-holder seemed to be stuck in a third-string position.
It wasn't until November 12th at Soldier Field against the Chicago Bears that Williams caught the eyes of the coaches, fans, and sports analysts. Against the Bears, he ran for 67 yards, a total that was 56 yards more than his previous season-high.
Williams's continued success
The young running back continued his success against the Baltimore Ravens the next week when he added 57 yards to his season rushing total. Williams's recent success finally blew up in his game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, when he ran for his second rushing touchdown and collected his first receiving touchdown of the season.
No performance could match Williams's in the most recent game against Tampa Bay, however. Over the course of the game, the standout rookie ran for 113 yards and one touchdown. It seemed that no one could slow him down, as he often pushed for seven or eight yards on first downs.
The Packers owe a lot of their win to Williams's ability to not go down, which was remarkably shown when he was able to push for a touchdown with three defenders draped around him.
Not only is it obvious how much Williams's coaches, teammates, and announcers love to watch him run, it is apparent that #30 loves the rushing load he has been responsible for.
Williams and Packers coaches weigh in
“I feel great being back there now and just hearing everybody especially my teammates encouraging me, telling me I’m doing a great job and just keep it going and keep working hard from there,” Williams stated, according to the Wisconsin State Journal.
“When I first got back there, it was just running. You didn’t really understand the offense yet, you’re just out there showing your talents. But now I feel more comfortable in the offense, I know where the blocks are happening, I know how to set them up and the defenses. So it’s really just getting time and getting comfortable back there.”
It's easy to feel his energy and determination when watching Jamaal Williams. After the grind-it-out runs, Williams will, guaranteed, be on his feet, dancing and sharing his emotion with the crowd. His coaches say that he brings a lot must-needed energy in the locker room as well, and they seem to be very excited about the 6'1", 212-pound running back.
“I wasn't surprised. You go back to training camp, he was the lead guy in that rookie class, and that was for a reason," head coach Mike McCarthy said, according to Packers News. "I think he's getting more comfortable with doing more things with [Aaron Jones]. But he's a complete running back."
The team's running backs coach, Ben Sirmans, hopes that Williams will continue to improve his game and is very excited to see the running duo Jones and Williams will provide.
“It’s kind of something we’re looking forward to, especially now that you’ve got two different styles,” Sirmans said, according to the La Crosse Tribune. “Both guys have shown that they have their own methods of moving the chains. I think that they can work together. Now, one guy isn’t getting an overload so they can stay fresh. I think that will be more productive and lead to more production for the offense. It’s actually a formula I’m looking forward to figuring out.”
What's next for Williams and the Packers?
The Packers (6-6) will face off against the Cleveland Browns (0-12) later this week. Hopefully we will see Williams continue his success against the winless Browns and their mediocre run defence.
