Coming into the NFL, not many people really thought DeAngelo Williams would be a top level running back. They said he was too small. They said that he could not take the grind of being an NFL running back. They questioned his breakaway speed. In one incredible season for the Carolina Panthers, DeAngelo Williams shut up the critics and set himself up as one of the best running backs in the NFL today.

As the NFL season got started, it was apparent that something was different in the Carolina running game. Sure, the offensive line was retooled and much better than in recent years. Also, Jonathan Stewart, the explosive rookie, was now on the scene and running like a veteran out of the gate. But the real difference was in DeAngelo. He was making a large number of defenders miss, and doing so with regularity.

At one point in the 09 season, Williams was ripping off 100 yd games at a pace not seen in some time. Every single game he was knocking off 40+ yard rushes, and breakaway touchdowns. What seemed unlikely became expected in Carolina, and Williams just kept on going. By the time it was over, not many running backs in the NFL had matched Williams in production or star quality.

DeAngelo Williams is surely a star. Make no mistake about that. He will have a year next year that will be even better if that is possible to imagine. The biggest reason? Because the offensive line will enter that magical second season of working together. If you look through history, offensive lines need about two to three years to gel as a unit. When they do, the running backs and quarterbacks benefit, as do the wide receivers. The Panthers are ready to explode.

Is DeAngelo Williams the best running back in the NFL. Maybe not quite yet. A man named Peterson in Minnesota might have something to say about that. But if DeAngelo can put up even a fraction of the season he had a year ago, the improved line play should catapult him to that very same status. Elite NFL running back.

It has been some time since the Panthers enjoyed such a great NFL running back in their backfield. As a matter of fact, they may never have had the same type of threat as Williams was last season. The closest they ever came was with Stephen Davis back several years ago. Davis was never the breakaway threat that Williams is now, however.

With the excitement of Williams and Stewart in the backfield, the Panthers are primed for yet another playoff push this year. With some seriously amped up rushing statistics, John Fox can afford to coach his style of smash mouth football. That is great news for Carolina Panthers sports fans, and even better news for DeAngelo Williams himself.

Image Credited To Flickr User kevin813