LOS ANGELES – By statistical measure and the proverbial eye test, the Rams' Kyren Williams was one of the best running backs in the NFL last season.
His 1,144 rushing yards were third-most in the league, and tied for fifth among all running backs in rushing touchdowns (12) despite playing in only 12 games (missed four due to injury; rested in the regular season finale). Williams was the first player in NFL history to finish in the Top 3 in rushing yards while missing 5-plus games, according to NFL research. For Los Angeles, he was a critical asset on offensive as both a runner and a pass-catcher.
What more could he improve on?
According to him, a few areas, actually.
"I think this camp went well, you know?" Williams told theRams.com after Saturday's practice. "I think it came with a lot of getting better. That was the model each and every single day was just getting 1% better. I don't feel like there was a day that I felt like might performance, I was satisfied with (it). So that's the continued growth that I got to continue to keep chasing, continue having that mindset of I'm getting there, I'm on the way to being where I want to be. And that's being explosive, being decisive, and just being who I am as a runner. Making people miss, or having to lower my pads when I have to. So for me, it was a work in progress, but I'm excited where we're going, I'm excited where where we're headed, and it's gonna be fun this year."
Within those aspects of explosiveness, decisiveness and lower pad level, the first element was one Williams was – and continues to be – focused on in preparation for his third NFL season. He already fared well in that department during his breakout second season with 7 carries of 20 or more yards, which tied with six other running backs for sixth-most in the league last season (the Cardinals' James Conner led with 11), but for Williams, it's specifically about doing a better job of getting to the third level and create those advantageous 1-on-1 matchups with safeties.
"So just being able to create matchups to where I'm favored to win, that starts up front and them boys, we've been jelling this whole camp," Williams said, referring to Los Angeles' offensive line. "I feel like we've got a new experience going on, and I feel like we've been doing everything that we we could be doing to get on the right track."
As his mindset shifts toward preparing for the regular season, Williams' goal is to stay healthy and play in every game this season. He said he's not satisfied with what he did last year. He still hasn't gotten to where he wants to be, and remains hungry to get there.
Rams running backs coach Ron Gould says he's on the right track.
"There's always room for growth," Gould told theRams.com. "We talk about growth mindset around here, and the only way that you feel like you can take that next step, (is) if you have that humble heart, and Kyren does. He knows that there's things that he's got to constantly work on, whether it's protection, continue to be patient in the run game, staying grounded. Those are the things that he's got to continue to work on and get better at. Because he's a pro's pro, he will, and he's showing it so far this camp."
