Pittsburgh Steelers running back DeAngelo Williams will never be accused of not saying what’s really on his mind. When it comes to the New England Patriots, who just lost starting quarterback Tom Brady for the first four games of the 2016 season due to a suspension, Williams recently let it be known that he has no sympathy for them whatsoever.
“I am glad they got problems. I don’t care,” Williams told the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “Everybody has their problems, and I am glad they have theirs.”
While some see the Patriots loss of Brady as somehow helping the Steelers, the fact of the matter is that he’ll be back in time for all four games against the AFC North teams. Williams, by the way, sounds like he is looking forward to playing Brady and the Patriots at Heinz Field in Week 7.
“I don’t know why everybody thinks that affects us. We don’t care, said Williams. “You think Big Ben wants to beat a (Tom) Brady-less team? That proves nothing to him.”
Even though Williams has been in the league for 10 years, he’s only played against the Patriots three times and that includes the regular season opener last year. He’s 1-2 in those games and has rushed for 223 yards on 40 carries against the Patriots of which 127 came in last year’s game in Foxborough.
In a little more than a week, the Steelers will report to Latrobe for the start of training camp and Williams, who turned 33 during the offseason, let it be known this past week how he really feels about the upcoming practices at Saint Vincent College.
“It’s not comfortable,” said Williams. “We are in college dorms. We are not at home, not with our families, nothing. They take you out of your comfort zone and put you in an uncomfortable situation.”
Even though Williams hates training camp, he knows that it is part of the process that comes with the team being properly prepared for the start of the season, which will be his second one with the Steelers. With starting running back Le’Veon Bell attempting to return this season from a serious knee injury that he suffered last year, Williams might just wind up seeing quite a bit of work in the Steelers offense during the first quarter of the schedule. As the season progresses, Williams should still get his share of playing time as he could potentially wind up spelling Bell a few series every game.
Williams, who missed both playoff games last year because of a foot injury, sounds like he’s healthy and ready for whatever role is given to him.
“I am in the best shape I have ever been in my entire life,” Williams told the paper.
