Rams Add Moe Help at Running Back
Wednesday, August 2, 2006
By Nick Wagoner
Senior Writer
The Rams’ search for a No. 2 running back brought a face from Scott Linehan’s past into his present. Former Viking Moe Williams agreed to terms with the Rams on a one-year contract.
Williams is entering his 11th NFL season after spending nine years in Minnesota. Three of those years, Williams spent with Linehan, who was his offensive coordinator there.
That familiarity is one reason he became the team’s choice for its open running back spot.
“What Moe brings is someone who is familiar with our system, but is also a veteran who has played a role as a backup and as a three,” Linehan said. “Moe is a strong special teams player as well. We just strengthened our team by adding a real quality backup running back who has played very well.”
In Williams’ 10 years in the league (he spent his other season in Baltimore); he has posted 1,826 yards on 435 carries with 21 touchdowns. He also has 154 receptions for 1,511 yards with four touchdowns and 63 kickoff returns for an average of 22.1 yards with one touchdown.
Williams has started 12 of his 132 games, spending most of his career as a backup or third running back. Williams has earned a reputation as a bruising back even though he is just 6’1, 205 pounds.
“If you ever get in one of those games where the defense was going to bring that middle linebacker and challenge you, we always had Moe,” Linehan said. “He’s very sound, nothing flashy about him. He’s a get it done type of guy.
“We used him in short yardage a lot. He’s kind of a short yardage/third down guy.”
Williams is recovering from microfracture knee surgery, an operation he had in November of last year that ended his season. After failing to complete a physical in St. Louis on his first visit in the spring, Williams visited again Tuesday and came to an agreement with the Rams.
While Williams is still coming off the knee injury, Linehan said his familiarity with the offense will help him get up to speed quickly. Because of Williams’ knowledge of the offense, he will be eased back into football shape during camp.
“We know Moe probably doesn’t have 10 years left in his career but he and I have a really good relationship and he looks and feels as good as ever,” Linehan said. “We just have to work him into shape and make sure we aren’t trying to push him too fast.”
The Rams expect Williams to compete for the No. 2 running back job left vacant by the knee surgery of Marshall Faulk. Tony Fisher, whom the team signed from Green Bay in the offseason as a No. 3 back, has taken most of the reps behind starter
Steven Jackson. Paul Smith has also been in the mix at tailback and fullback.
Youngsters Antoine Bagwell, John David Washington and Fred Russell are also competing.
The addition of Williams comes only a day after another former Vikings back, Michael Bennett, was traded from New Orleans to Kansas City. Bennett had been one of the objects of the Rams’ affections in recent weeks, but the Saints were hesitant to trade Bennett within the conference assuming the trade offers were equal.
“Things happen for a reason,” Linehan said. “I certainly would have liked to entertain that option, but you have to have two parties to agree to get it done. We certainly were a willing party, but the other side wasn’t.”
Despite the addition of Williams, Linehan said the Rams’ will continue to keep an eye peeled for more help at the position.
“Things work out the way they do for a reason,” Linehan said. “We will continue to keep our eyes on No. 2 running backs that become available. A lot of things can happen between now and the season.”
TERRELL STILL OUT: Guard Claude Terrell missed another workout Wednesday morning as he continues to be bothered by his offseason wrist surgery.
Terrell, who started seven games at guard in 2005, has been replaced by
Richie Incognito atop the depth chart at left guard and has struggled some with conditioning.
The second-year guard out of New Mexico stayed on a side field during the morning workout, running and working on his conditioning.
RAM BITS: One sequence during Wednesday morning’s workout seemed to be a highlight right out of the Twilight Zone. On consecutive plays receiver
Torry Holt dropped a sure touchdown pass from
Marc Bulger, Gus Frerotte hit
Chris Massey in the back of the head with a pass and safety Oshiomogho Atogwe dropped an easy interception…Leonard Little missed practice for the second day in a row as he continues to recover from the flu…DeJuan Groce returned to action after struggling with a hamstring injury…Marques Hagans is progressing well at receiver and as a punt returner and Linehan said Hagans will soon be working on kick returns as well.
Sounds fine to me, but what are these articles coming to with names like "Rams Add Moe Help At Running Back".
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