Panthers' backs treading into NFL history books

Panthers' backs treading into NFL history books
December 30
Charlotte Observer
"Since midseason, Carolina Panthers running backs DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart have evolved from a nice combination with potential into a dynamic duo chasing history and drawing praise from all around the NFL.

"The tandem they have right now is probably the best in the league," New Orleans linebacker Scott Fujita said Sunday after Carolina's 33-31 win against the Saints at the Superdome. "Numbers-wise, they're kind of shaping up to be one of the best (duos) ever in terms of two running backs."

Sound extreme?

Well, Fujita is correct.

Williams and Stewart combined for 2,351 yards rushing during the regular season, the best by any backfield duo since 1984, according to research done Monday by the NFL and Elias Sports Bureau at the Observer's request.

Only seven running back combinations ever have gained more yards during a season than Williams and Stewart this year, and all of them included one of these Hall of Fame greats - O.J. Simpson, Eric Dickerson, Jim Brown and Walter Payton.

And four of those top seven efforts happened in two years, when Simpson ('73) and Dickerson ('84) made the list with two of their teammates in the same season.

"Wow," Williams said when informed he and Stewart were eighth on the all-time list. "It's very, very special in the fact that the relationship me and Jonathan Stewart have will go on for a long time. For us to be part of history while doing that is unbelievable."

Williams and Stewart fell 289 yards short of the record of 2,640 yards compiled in 1975 by Simpson (1,817) and Buffalo teammate Jim Braxton (823).

However, Williams and Stewart had the fourth-best total for a 16-game season and third best among teammates who both rushed for at least 800 yards.

Williams and Stewart raced into the record books thanks to a blistering pace during the second half of the season.

After eight games, Carolina ranked 16th in the league in rushing and its backs had just two 100-yard rushing performances, both by Williams. It was clear then that there was another level for them to attain during the second half of the season if they continued to develop - and they exceeded virtually everyone's expectations down the stretch.

Williams and Stewart combined for eight 100-yard performances over the final eight games, including six by Williams. The Panthers finished the regular season ranked third in the league in rushing, best in team history.

Williams set a team season record with 1,515 yards and Stewart established a team season record for rookies with 823."

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