Bucs tailback Williams runs off with offensive rookie award

TAMPA, Fla. -- Lofty goals and plenty of self-confidence barely prepared Carnell Williams for all the success he's had in his first NFL season.

The sleek, fast and powerful running back nicknamed "Cadillac" not only burst onto the scene in record-breaking fashion but helped transform the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from also-ran to NFC South champions.

In doing so, he also ran away with the Associated Press offensive rookie of the year award.

"I'm one of those people who believes in goals, so I set them high," Williams said. "I wanted to come in and run for well over 1,000 yards, win rookie of the year, go to the playoffs and win the Super Bowl."

He's three-quarters of the way through that list. The resurgent Bucs (11-5) begin pursuit of the remaining objective when they host the Washington Redskins on Saturday in the NFC wild-card round.

Williams, who rushed for 1,178 yards and six touchdowns, drew 47 votes Wednesday from a nationwide panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters who cover the NFL. His running mate at Auburn, Ronnie Brown of the Dolphins, received one vote, as did tight end Heath Miller of Pittsburgh and offensive lineman Logan Mankins of New England.

Cadillac Williams says Tampa was the right place for him to play. (AP)

"It's an award he's obviously earned. It's a reflection of him and his family, the kind of worker he is. But it also reflects our team," coach Jon Gruden said. "He's got a lot more awards coming if he keeps doing what he's doing. I promise you that."

Williams moved into the starting lineup immediately and became the first player in league history to begin his career with three consecutive 100-yard games, including a season-high 158 against Green Bay.

Later, he overcame a foot sprain to pull out of a midseason slump and help the Bucs surge past Atlanta and Carolina to win their first division title since Tampa Bay won the Super Bowl three seasons ago.

Williams, who endeared himself to teammates with a humble attitude, refused to use the injury as an excuse for a dropoff in production during a stretch in which he was held to 29 yards or less four times.

"I think that's a coward's way to say I'm not playing good because of my ankle or my foot, blah, blah, blah. I was out there on the field and I was playing. I just wasn't playing well," he said.

The shoes and gloves the rookie wore against Green Bay were shipped to the Pro Football Hall of Fame after Williams broke Alan Ameche's 50-year-old record for yards rushing by a rookie in his first three games.

At the height of his slump, which raised questions about his heavy workload, Williams joked that Hall officials might be ready to return the memorabilia. Four days later, he ran for 116 yards to key a win at Atlanta.