Cadillac OROY Merriman - DROY

MURP · January 04, 2006, 09:58:43 AM

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QuoteBucs' Williams runs away with ROY award

NFL.com wire reports

NEW YORK (Jan. 4, 2006) -- Carnell Williams, appropriately enough, ran away with The Associated Press NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award.

The Tampa Bay running back nicknamed "Cadillac" was the sleek, fast and powerful model the Buccaneers needed to spark their offense. He became a starter immediately, rushed for 1,178 yards and six touchdowns, and was the catalyst in the Buccaneers' turnaround from also-ran to NFC South champion.

Williams drew 47 votes from a nationwide panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters who cover the NFL. His running mate at Auburn, Ronnie Brown of the Dolphins, received one vote, as did tight end Heath Miller of Pittsburgh and offensive lineman Logan Mankins of New England.

"It's always been my dream to play on this level," said Williams, the fifth overall pick in last year's draft. "Ever since I was a kid, playing football in the backyard, middle school, high school, college, I was working to get to this level. To come out here and be named offensive rookie of the year is an amazing accomplishment. That's a great honor."

He earned it by having a team-record six 100-yard games. His season high was 158 against Green Bay, and he had 150 vs. Atlanta.

Williams piled up the yards despite a left foot injury that forced him to miss two games early in the season and part of a third. When he got healthy, the Bucs surged past Atlanta and Carolina to win the division title at 11-5. The Bucs host Washington in the wild-card round.

The taterskins will need to keep after Williams all game. He gained 449 of his yards in the fourth quarter, when he averaged 5.7 yards per carry -- far above his average for the first three periods. Four of Williams' six TDs came in the fourth quarter.

Buccaneers coach Jon Gruden was thrilled Williams was available in the draft after Brown went No. 2 overall and Cedric Benson of Texas went to Chicago with the fourth pick. Now the entire league has seen why Gruden was so excited.

"W really felt that he was a great, great running back, to be honest with you," Gruden said. "Tommy Tuberville (Auburn's coach) felt the same way. Everybody I talked to in Alabama said: 'This is the greatest running back in the history of high school football in Alabama.' Better than Bo Jackson, better than most of these guys have ever seen. I'm not saying he's better than Bo. But everybody I talked to said he's a hell of a back. 'Get him on your team, somehow, some way.'

"I think he's proven to everybody what he's all about."

Williams has no complaints about where he wound up in the NFL, either.

"I'm dead happy the way the draft went, me landing in Tampa," he said. "This is where I wanted to play. But after everything was said and done, looking back on things, I was like: 'Man, I was the third back taken. I was the fifth pick, but I was the third back, so people still don't believe, or for some reason doubt me."'

Not anymore.

Williams is the second Tampa Bay player to win the award. Running back Warrick Dunn won it in 1997.

Last year's winner was Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

BigEd76 · January 04, 2006, 10:04:44 AM

People stopped watching the Eagles before Reggie did his thing, so nobody saw what he did....

Zanshin · January 04, 2006, 10:42:36 AM

Brown was a bright spot this year, but he definitely didn't have a better year than Williams.

Diomedes · January 04, 2006, 10:45:33 AM

Furthermore, it could be well argued that Brown had a good year simply because he was forced to start. His numbers wouldn't have been nearly so good if TO and Pink hadn't handed him gobs of playing time.

MadMarchHare · January 04, 2006, 11:51:09 AM

And he still could've blown chunks even given that opportunity. I don't see your point, Dio.

Diomedes · January 04, 2006, 11:56:18 AM

Point is just that he's had an artificial chance. Cadillac made his way by being the best pro on his team, not the best one left standing. I'm not saying he doesn't look good, or didn't do well. He looks good and I'm excited to see him next year.

MadMarchHare · January 04, 2006, 11:59:17 AM

Gotcha

It just seemed like you were riding him a little, that's all.

phillymic2000 · January 04, 2006, 12:22:18 PM

Man, I thought OROY meant out rest of year, man that was a tense moment.

JTrotter Fan · January 04, 2006, 03:13:24 PM

Merriman Best D Rookie

Four good candidates for this award...but "Lights Out" takes the cake. He's good.

BigEd76 · January 04, 2006, 04:36:05 PM

Remember when ESPN predicted that Merriman would miss half the season with a contract dispute? Good times...

MDS · January 04, 2006, 04:43:05 PM

Todd Herrimans got jobbed

Diomedes · January 04, 2006, 04:46:08 PM

Lofa Tatupu was robbed. Merriman won solely based on the fact that he was a high hopes first rounder who didn't disappoint. Tatupu however was a massive surprise and played, I think, a more important role in his team's success.

JTrotter Fan · January 04, 2006, 05:20:32 PM

Quote from: Diomedes on January 04, 2006, 04:46:08 PM
Lofa Tatupu was robbed. Merriman won solely based on the fact that he was a high hopes first rounder who didn't disappoint. Tatupu however was a massive surprise and played, I think, a more important role in his team's success.

I also liked Tatupu. I thought he was an impact player for that defense. He changed the game a few times this year.

Diomedes · January 04, 2006, 05:29:43 PM

He stepped into the MLB slot as a rookie and kicked ever loving ass on a division champ team. That's a hell of a lot more impressive to me than 10 sacks and 50 some odd tackles on a non playoff team.

QB Eagles · January 04, 2006, 05:33:51 PM

I couldn't really argue with the selection of any of Tatupu, Merriman, or Thurman for that award. They were all disruptive players able to change a game and make offenses feel miserable about one part of the field.

Here's hoping Galloway or Smith wins the Comeback Player of the Year instead of Ponch. First of all, it wasn't really a comeback from being zesty or out of the league; it was basically a comeback from injury. Secondly, he shouldn't be rewarded for making fans always cringe and wonder if he's going to stroke out on the field. I'd rather it go to Ricky Williams.