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New York Giants: Can Andre Williams Bounce Back in 2016

By Nick Ziegler

Nov 8, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Giants running back Andre Williams (44) runs with the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. New York Giants defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 32-18. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 8, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Giants running back Andre Williams (44) runs with the ball against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. New York Giants defeated the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 32-18. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New York Giants will be looking to improve in 2016 after a poor season, and one player they are expecting more from is running back Andre Williams.

The New York Giants drafted Andre Williams in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL Draft after one of the most successful college careers that we have ever seen from a running back. Williams did have some flaws, however, coming into the NFL, which was why the Giants were able to draft him in the mid-rounds.

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Williams went on to have a pretty decent rookie season for the Giants in 2014, as he totaled 721 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns. The 3.3 yards per carry average in 2014 wasn’t great, but it appeared that Williams would have a decent sized role on the team moving forward.

One of the people that have confidence in Williams is Giants head coach, Ben McAdoo, who has been Williams’ offensive coordinator the past two seasons.

“I think a lot of people may be willing to give up on Andre,” McAdoo said to Paul Schwartz of the New York Post. “I think it may be too early for that. I look forward to him having a bounce-back year.”

People have given up on Williams after a really poor 2015 season, as Williams totaled just 257 rushing yards, one rushing touchdown, and 2.9 yards per carry average.

“I just wholeheartedly agree with him,” Williams said to Schwartz. “That just gives me a little extra gas in the tank and realize there’s a lot of naysayers, but the people in your corner, they’re not the ones outside. There the ones who know what you’re capable of. I know what I’m capable of and just look forward to being able to show that on the field this year.”

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Last season, Williams was part of a poor running back by committee system, which was a failure

“I don’t think the four-headed monster was very scary,” Williams said to Schwartz. “I think this year we’ll figure things out a little bit clearer and be more effective.”

One of the improvements that Williams has made this offseason is that he has gotten into much better shape. Williams is known as a power running back, but the lack of speed has hurt him at the next level.

“I like how I feel right now. I feel faster, stronger, more flexible and more explosive than I’ve ever been, so I’m just gonna run with it this year,” Williams said to Schwartz.

The Giants did expect Williams to play a big role in 2015, and his disappointing season led them to draft Paul Perkins in the draft this season.

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“It was definitely a bit of a drop-off from my rookie season,” Williams said to Schwartz. “Obviously, I didn’t make big enough strides for them to say that I was far enough ahead of anybody to deserve anything more than anybody else was getting. So this year, I’m trying to take as many strides forward as I can to set myself apart.”

Having a strong summer will be very important for Williams as he will have nothing guaranteed for him this season.

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