Buccaneers' Williams named NFL offensive rookie of the year
Derrick Brooks saw a lot of young and unfamiliar faces when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers reported to training camp in July. The Bucs' godfather called the new guys by their last name (if he knew it) or number (if he didn't).
Even first-round pick Carnell "Cadillac" Williams - the unmistakable Auburn tailback _got no special treatment.
"He's got to earn that nickname all over again now," Brooks said at the time.
Guess what Brooks is calling Williams these days.
Williams' immense impact in his first pro season was rewarded Wednesday when he was named NFL offensive rookie of year in a landslide vote of Associated Press writers and broadcasters.
The No. 5 overall pick in the draft last April, Williams broke team rookie records with 1,178 rushing yards and helped the Bucs go from 5-11 last season to a 11-5 mark that was good enough to win the NFC South Division and playoff berth.
"It's always been my dream to play on this level," said Williams. "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."
Williams, who joined former tailback Warrick Dunn (1997) as the only rookies of the year in the franchise's 30-season history, waxed the field to get it, receiving 47 of 50 votes. His backfield teammate at Auburn, Miami's Ronnie Brown, got one of the other three votes, along with New England offensive lineman Logan Matkins and Pittsburgh tight end Heath Miller. All three were first-round draft picks.
Through his first three games, Williams rushed for 434 yards to become the first back in NFL history to run for at least 100 yards his first three games. The gloves and cleats he wore in the third game_a 38-carry, 158-yard effort at Green Bay_were sent to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.
After suffering a foot sprain in Week 4 against Detroit, Williams totaled just 82 yards over six games, but returned to close with a flurry. He finished with six 100-yard games total and broke Errict Rhett's team rookie rushing record of 1,011 yards, set in 1994.
San Diego linebacker Shawne Merriman earned the defensive rookie of the year award.
Known as "Lights Out" for his hard hits and aggressive demeanor, Merriman received 28 1/2 votes.
He easily beat Seattle linebacker Lofa Tatupu, who got 16 1/2.
Even first-round pick Carnell "Cadillac" Williams - the unmistakable Auburn tailback _got no special treatment.
"He's got to earn that nickname all over again now," Brooks said at the time.
Guess what Brooks is calling Williams these days.
Williams' immense impact in his first pro season was rewarded Wednesday when he was named NFL offensive rookie of year in a landslide vote of Associated Press writers and broadcasters.
The No. 5 overall pick in the draft last April, Williams broke team rookie records with 1,178 rushing yards and helped the Bucs go from 5-11 last season to a 11-5 mark that was good enough to win the NFC South Division and playoff berth.
"It's always been my dream to play on this level," said Williams. "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."
Williams, who joined former tailback Warrick Dunn (1997) as the only rookies of the year in the franchise's 30-season history, waxed the field to get it, receiving 47 of 50 votes. His backfield teammate at Auburn, Miami's Ronnie Brown, got one of the other three votes, along with New England offensive lineman Logan Matkins and Pittsburgh tight end Heath Miller. All three were first-round draft picks.
Through his first three games, Williams rushed for 434 yards to become the first back in NFL history to run for at least 100 yards his first three games. The gloves and cleats he wore in the third game_a 38-carry, 158-yard effort at Green Bay_were sent to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio.
After suffering a foot sprain in Week 4 against Detroit, Williams totaled just 82 yards over six games, but returned to close with a flurry. He finished with six 100-yard games total and broke Errict Rhett's team rookie rushing record of 1,011 yards, set in 1994.
San Diego linebacker Shawne Merriman earned the defensive rookie of the year award.
Known as "Lights Out" for his hard hits and aggressive demeanor, Merriman received 28 1/2 votes.
He easily beat Seattle linebacker Lofa Tatupu, who got 16 1/2.
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