#2 is David Palmer all over again

[BamaFanInTally]

Ryan Williams is a monster WR. Just also remember that Palmer could play WR, QB, and RB. Not sure we will ever see that again.

 

[CoolBreeze]

the first thought I had when thinking about comparisons (and don't laugh) -- but he moves like Michael Jackson, lol -- if you put him in DeVonta Smith's body

Dead on with that comparison. When he made that catch with both defenders closing in on him he did a mid air moon walk, stopped, then ran right by both of them. Thing of beauty.

 

[Cruloc]

But Palmer wasn't 17 when he played at Bama.

Williams is 17, just in case no one knew.

 

[TideMan09]

Different game today . Ryan gets more opportunities. Ryan looks to have more top end speed . Palmer at this time more elusive. Evidence put returner and the damage he did running reverses and QB sweeps. The good thing is RW has time to change all of that. With that being said he is the most electric player we have had since Shaun Alexander. I am just glad he is with us. RTR

Derrick Henry was just as electric when he was at Bama or I think so

 

[Blueguitar]

Sort of related topic, what is the story with the message on Williams's eyeblack? It seemed like a weird thing to say. Is there a backstory to that?

 

[Windsortide]

Derrick Henry was just as electric when he was at Bama or I think so

I’ll take DH all day! A tractor with speed.

 

[crimsonaudio]

Sort of related topic, what is the story with the message on Williams's eyeblack? It seemed like a weird thing to say. Is there a backstory to that?

It's a quote from the move "The Program".

 

[gtgilbert]

Different game today . Ryan gets more opportunities. Ryan looks to have more top end speed . Palmer at this time more elusive. Evidence put returner and the damage he did running reverses and QB sweeps. The good thing is RW has time to change all of that. With that being said he is the most electric player we have had since Shaun Alexander. I am just glad he is with us. RTR

So hard to say about all of that. With top end speed, Deuce never clocked a fast time, but I also don't recall him getting tracked down either, and in one of his first games Chris Anderson broke a 90+ yard run, and Deuce ran up behind him, closing a 15-20 yard gap and looked like he was just jogging along with him. Chris was top 4 in the state in the 100M. Dude had game speed. In the same light the way Williams stopped, started, twisted and spun on that catch, I have to say that he might just be as elusive as the Deuce just in a different way. Deuce was more sudden, where Williams is more smooth, but he's still making guys miss in ways that make them look pretty silly.

 

[Superdad]

Palmer was fun to watch. His problem was he played with some pretty mediocre quarterbacks & played for a coach that seemed to hate the forward pass.

 

[CoolBreeze]

Again, the only comparison to the Deuce is that they are both in a class by themselves. No one like Palmer. No one like Williams. Please stay healthy and show us your stuff kid!

 

[Blueguitar]

It's a quote from the move "The Program".

OK, thanks. I never saw that movie. Now it makes more sense.

 

[cdub55]

I can say with 100% certainty that I don't know of any other WR I have seen in the last 40 years that would have scored on that particular play in CFB. I have personally coached against RW and have seen him do similar things before. He has a unique gift and skillset that is just different than the ones before him. Once his physiological advantages, which will come with age, are combined with his work ethic and God given talent, he seriously has a chance to be a one of one in the game of football. With that said, he has to stay grounded but at the same time keep his swag and confidence and we know that can be challenging for some if they are not careful. I'm pulling for RW and hope to see him keep getting better and reach his pinnacle as a human and player. His height will never stand out but once he gets to the 185 range he possess the ability to be a Jamar Chase/Tyreek Hill hybrid and I'm not sure we have seen that before at Alabama or any other program.

 

[cdub55]

I'll also add, I see a lot of "just stay healthy" comments. Nothing wrong with praying or hoping for the health of an athlete, but one of the worst things a player can do is "try to stay healthy". That mindset can lead to some things that will hinder him in multiple ways. The game of football is what it is and injuries happen to everyone if they play long enough. Keep playing the game the way you know how to play the game and let the coaches and training staff (which is the best around) do their thing.

 

[colbysullivan]

OK, thanks. I never saw that movie. Now it makes more sense.

One of the best football movies ever

 

[Windsortide]

So hard to say about all of that. With top end speed, Deuce never clocked a fast time, but I also don't recall him getting tracked down either, and in one of his first games Chris Anderson broke a 90+ yard run, and Deuce ran up behind him, closing a 15-20 yard gap and looked like he was just jogging along with him. Chris was top 4 in the state in the 100M. Dude had game speed. In the same light the way Williams stopped, started, twisted and spun on that catch, I have to say that he might just be as elusive as the Deuce just in a different way. Deuce was more sudden, where Williams is more smooth, but he's still making guys miss in ways that make them look pretty silly.
[/QUOT
Williams is definitely smooth and makes the game look easy.

 

[CrimsonTitles]

most of us have just come to expect it at this point. money talks these days.

When have we really lost starters, other than the time the GOAT retired? That was the exception, and I really wouldn't expect that to happen again, unless DeBosr goes to the NFL, or something. I know a lot of schools have to deal with that sort of thing, but Bama isn't usually one of them. Bama is the type of school where if you're starting, and you've been starting, you stay. I can't really recall an instance where we lost a valued starter to the portal when we had coach stability.

 

[jthomas666]

When have we really lost starters, other than the time the GOAT retired? That was the exception, and I really wouldn't expect that to happen again, unless DeBosr goes to the NFL, or something. I know a lot of schools have to deal with that sort of thing, but Bama isn't usually one of them. Bama is the type of school where if you're starting, and you've been starting, you stay. I can't really recall an instance where we lost a valued starter to the portal when we had coach stability.

Maurice Smith to Georgia is the only one I can think of.

But back to the original topic--this kid is beyond special. Best I can manage is that he's a freaky combination of Amari and Smitty--I don't quite know that he runs routes as well as Amari, but as smoothly as he moves I'd think he almost has to.

 

[oskie]

I thought the same thing during the game. Kid is good - really good. The moves and agility to maintain body control in ways that others just can't do is certainly like the Duece.

R Williams' stops and starts remind me of Jerry Jeudy.

Jerry's juke moves were a thing of beauty to me.

 

[mlh]

Maurice Smith to Georgia is the only one I can think of.

But back to the original topic--this kid is beyond special. Best I can manage is that he's a freaky combination of Amari and Smitty--I don't quite know that he runs routes as well as Amari, but as smoothly as he moves I'd think he almost has to.

That's a good analogy...and pretty insane, if you think about it.

 

[teamplayer]

most of us have just come to expect it at this point. money talks these days.

Exactly! We had an all world freshman safety last year. He isn't here any longer. It's a new world that isn't nearly as enjoyable, but it is what it is. I'm trying to still find ways to enjoy the game, so I don't even think about being able to watch these guys develop any more.