On the first play of his first day of training camp, rookie running back Andre Williams did something he hadn’t done while leading the nation in rushing and finishing fourth in the Heisman voting last season — catch a pass.
Though Williams has impressed the Giants coaching staff in spring practices and early in camp, the 21-year-old knows he needs to prove that he can do more out of the backfield than just run, that his total of 10 receptions over four seasons at Boston College were due to a lack of opportunity, not a lack of ability.
“Absolutely, that’s always how I felt about it,” Williams said before Wednesday’s practice. “It’s not that I wasn’t capable of catching the ball, I just didn’t do it enough. Like anything else, it came with practice and it’s something I continue to work on.”
Having heard from Williams about the lack of balls thrown his way, running backs coach Craig Johnson is giving the BC star every chance to prove his reputation as a poor pass catcher is no longer warranted.
“He knew coming out of college that was [his] rap,” Johnson said. “So we’ve given him more opportunities and so far he is improving in that area. … He’s worked very, very hard at that.”
With Williams often working out of an I-formation at Boston College, Johnson said his blocking “is going to be a work in progress,” but because of his powerful, 230-pound frame, the coach believes he has the physical tools to become an effective pass protector.
“He’s coming along,” said Johnson. “He’s big, strong, physical, he’s what you would look for. We just got to keep practicing the technique because it’s not ever the same in practice as it is in the game.”
Even though Williams is unsure what his role will be, he said he already feels at home in his new home, declaring it a place he’d “want to be [his] entire career.”
Likely in line to share carries with David Wilson and Rashad Jennings, Williams, who scored 18 touchdowns in 13 games last season, could assume some responsibilities as a goal-line back.
“As long as it’s running the ball, I think I can excel at it,” Williams said.
Transitioning from an ultimate workhorse to a reduced role may be an adjustment for the fourth-round pick, but one he understands is necessary until he becomes familiar with the next level.
“I learn a lot just stepping back and watching what other running backs are doing as well,” Williams said. “I feel like I can fill any role that they want me to fill, but at the same time I’m young and I need to gain experience and I think I can do a lot of that sitting back sometimes and letting the older guys show me how it’s done.”
Tom Coughlin already appears confident the rookie can contribute, and do so as more than just a runner.
“If you watched him in practice or watched him last spring, he’s become more than that,” said Coughlin. “He was not used that way at BC, but he certainly has demonstrated ability to do that.”
“[He’s a] highly conditioned, powerful athlete, picking it up as he goes. Done a nice job, whether we’ve asked him about special teams or whatever we’ve asked him to do he’s done it…he hits that button and he can go.”