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Steelers: Colbert is brilliant for signing DeAngelo Williams

By Josh Fitzer

Dec 13, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back DeAngelo Williams (34) reacts to scoring a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals in the second half at Paul Brown Stadium. The Steelers won 33-20. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 13, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers running back DeAngelo Williams (34) reacts to scoring a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals in the second half at Paul Brown Stadium. The Steelers won 33-20. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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Usually, fan bases aren’t too stoked when their team brings in a 32 year-old, FA, running back, even as a backup. But I think DeAngelo Williams has proven his worth, and then some.

The 2015 off-season saw the Steelers in need of someone to backup Le’Veon Bell. So, GM Kevin Colbert brought in, veteran, DeAngelo Williams. All of us weren’t sure what Williams had left in the tank. The lifespan of an NFL running back isn’t that long. Since the NFL has become more of a “passing league,” many people think the RB position is becoming irrelevant, though, I personally disagree. But what we saw last year from DeAngelo Williams proves that some players can defy the odds, and still play at a high level.

When the Steelers signed Williams, he was told that he’d only be a backup, and he was fine with that. But things changed quickly when Bell was suspended for the first four-games of the 2015 season. Enter: Williams. I was worried about my Steelers going into Week 1, playing in New England, no Martavis Bryant, no Le’Veon Bell, and no Maurkice Pouncey. But Williams stepped in and was like, “I got this.”

I said all that to say this: GM Kevin Colbert deserves a TON of credit for signing DeAngelo Williams. The Steelers needed someone to backup Le’Veon Bell, and at the time, we had no running back depth. If Colbert hadn’t signed Williams, we would’ve been screwed. I don’t think we would’ve won some of our games if it wasn’t for the play of DeAngelo Williams.

It looks like Williams will have be the workhorse, yet, again. On Friday, we found out that Le’Veon Bell is looking at a four-game suspension this season, for missing a drug test. It’s not clear whether or not Bell actually did any drugs. But I’m not sure that entirely matters in this situation, since the NFL counts missing a drug test as an automatic fail.

Williams will be the workhorse, yes, but thankfully the Steelers have someone behind him to lighten the load. Enter: Fitzgerald Toussaint. Toussaint stepped in when Williams went down in Week 17 against the Cleveland Browns, and he played pretty dang well. So, I’m happy that we, in Steelers Nation, won’t have to panic when Williams needs a break.

I have all the confidence in the world in our Steelers.

Now let’s go get ring #7!

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