How Long Can Steve Smith and Deangelo Williams Play in the NFL?

[CRA]

I see you buy into the Fictional "30" wall.

Name the 30 yr old RBs in the NFL that are anything but backups?

but yet a 30++ year old Williams will be something more than a guy hoping to find a spot as roster depth?.....Williams will be backing up Stewart next year ( and he won't even be 30 then).

[Panthers128]

I can't predict the future.

[nosuchthingasapanther]

Name the 30 yr old RBs in the NFL that are anything but backups?

but yet a 30++ year old Williams will be something more than a guy hoping to find a spot as roster depth?.....Williams will be backing up Stewart next year ( and he won't even be 30 then).

despite what the depth chart says, williams is the backup right now.

[CRA]

despite what the depth chart says, williams is the backup right now.

I know that....next year though it won't be up for debate. Stewart is the best RB in Carolina....and it shouldn't be a surprise that is the way things currently stand.

[jtm]

I know that....next year though it won't be up for debate. Stewart is the best RB in Carolina....and it shouldn't be a surprise that is the way things currently stand.

Sad that this is the truth so quickly. It wouldn't surprise me if we tried to deal DW in the offseason b/c JStew will want to get paid and can't have all our money tied up with two backs.

[MHS831]

Most RBs rarely see the other side of 30. If they do, they are limited. I give DW 2 years. Most speed WRs rarely last past 32. (I do not have a link or know where I read this, but it was discussed when we considered Smith's value and re-signing DW). SS has another year on his contract and he will be 34 or so when that time comes. Will Hurney write a big check? probably.

[SuperMan]

Name the 30 yr old RBs in the NFL that are anything but backups?

but yet a 30++ year old Williams will be something more than a guy hoping to find a spot as roster depth?.....Williams will be backing up Stewart next year ( and he won't even be 30 then).

Thomas Jones ran for over 1400 yards at 32 a couple seasons ago, the age isn't the issue here by the time most backs reach 30 they have almost 2,000 touches it wearing them down.

[SuperMan]

Willams has anther 550-600 touches before he wears down.

[CRA]

Thomas Jones ran for over 1400 yards at 32 a couple seasons ago, the age isn't the issue here by the time most backs reach 30 they have almost 2,000 touches it wearing them down.

yes, that is called an exception to the rule......Thomas Jones stands out like a sore thumb.

Those thinking Williams will also be an exception to the rule ignore the fact that he had more touches in college than Stewart did in colllege + his rookie + his 2nd year in the NFL. Willliams was overused in college.....you don't see RBs in today's NFL with the college mileage DeAngelo had. The 30 wall looks to hit DeAngelo like it has so many others.

he is already the 2nd best RB on this team......with 2 years until he hits 30. I didn't say he wouldn't play....but he will be looking for a role as depth at 30+. Betting on anything other than that is DeAngelo homerism.

[CRA]

Sad that this is the truth so quickly. It wouldn't surprise me if we tried to deal DW in the offseason b/c JStew will want to get paid and can't have all our money tied up with two backs.

who wants to trade for a 29 year old RB with a fat contract.....my guess is no one.

[Sword]

yes, that is called an exception to the rule......Thomas Jones stands out like a sore thumb.

Those thinking Williams will also be an exception to the rule ignore the fact that he had more touches in college than Stewart did in colllege + his rookie + his 2nd year in the NFL. Willliams was overused in college.....you don't see RBs in today's NFL with the college mileage DeAngelo had. The 30 wall looks to hit DeAngelo like it has so many others.

he is already the 2nd best RB on this team......with 2 years until he hits 30. I didn't say he wouldn't play....but he will be looking for a role as depth at 30+. Betting on anything other than that is DeAngelo homerism.

It's not the handoffs that hurt the RB its the beating they take when they get the ball in their hands. Don't you think college carries are a little different then NFL carries ..I mean half the time he was running wild and not taking a beating racking up record numbers in memphis..he was also just a pup and i doubt any effects from carries so early in his career are going to effect him now. I'd be worried if he had a 300 carry season at this age from the amount of hits he would be taken from NFL caliber players, but in this system he won't be sniffing that.

[CRA]

It's not the handoffs that hurt the RB its the beating they take when they get the ball in their hands. Don't you think college carries are a little different then NFL carries ..I mean half the time he was running wild and not taking a beating racking up record numbers in memphis..he was also just a pup and i doubt any effects from carries so early in his career are going to effect him now. I'd be worried if he had a 300 carry season at this age from the amount of hits he would be taken from NFL caliber players, but in this system he won't be sniffing that.

not really....DeAngleo played 4 years at Memphis being the offense. You think the pounding Stewart got as a NFL rookie puts more wear on this tires than what Williams did as a senior?

Smitty can slow down.....and still find the field in an evolved role. Smitty knows that...that is why he points to Donald Driver's career. When a RB slows down....they find the bench. NFL history has proven that overall

[nosuchthingasapanther]

who wants to trade for a 29 year old RB with a fat contract.....my guess is no one.

after next season, it's possible carolina will have already paid williams 75% of his contract.

it may not be too hard to trade him.

[Herbert The Love Bug]

I don't see Smith slowing down anytime soon to be honest. I'm not sure about Deangelo. But the good thing is, running back is an easy position to fill through the draft.