Nick Williams. | ZOOM |

        GEORGETOWN, Ky. — Bengals history is dotted with big running backs who were vital parts of the offense.

        Pete Johnson ran for more than 5,400 yards and 70 touchdowns in seven years. Ickey Woods had 27 touchdowns in four seasons. They were starters in the franchise's two Super Bowl seasons, 1981 and 1988.

        Larry Kinnebrew, Charles Alexander and Boobie Clark were oversized, too.

        Cincinnati may have an other back in that mold. Nick Williams, a 267-pound second-year pro from Miami (Fla.), scored on a pair of one-yard runs — the team's only two touchdowns — in the Bengals' preseason loss Friday at Buffalo.

        “When the Bengals have made hay, they've always had big running backs,” said Jim Lippincott, the team's director of pro-college personnel.

        The question is whether Williams, who missed five games last year with ankle injuries, can play a whole season.

        “That's what we're going to find out,” running backs coach Jim Anderson said. “Is Nick tough enough? Is he man enough? Is he physical enough? These are the things that all those men were. Those guys were physical football players. Nick likes to talk it. Let's see if he can walk it.”

        Williams said, “My answer is yes, yes, yes and yes. Print that. I see myself in the mold of the big, powerful back who can block and run. I can't say I'm on the level of those guys (Johnson and Woods), but my goal is to get there.”

        Williams, 23, had 24 yards on 11 carries against the Bills. He caught two passes for 12 yards.

        “I think I bring a guy you can depend on,” he said. “I do think I have good hands. I think I'm dependable catching the ball, running the ball. You want to have total players, and that's something I'm trying to make myself become.”

        With Pro Bowler Corey Dillon holding out and one of the Bengals' top running backs, Michael Basnight, injured, Williams could get more playing time.

        The team is using him in several sets. One formation is the Cadillac Package, which features Williams with 245-pound fullback Clif Groce. Williams also returned eight kicks as a Bengal rookie in 1999.

        Williams gained more than 1,300 yards rushing as a senior at Harrison High School in suburban Detroit. He was recruited for college by coach Dennis Erickson to work in a one-back offense, which was changed to a two-back set when coach Butch Davis was hired. Williams blocked for Edgerrin James, who had consecutive 1,000-yard seasons before getting drafted by the Colts.

        “My blocking is getting better,” Williams said. “The coaches are preaching to stay lower in everything I do — blocking, running.

        “I guess God blessed me. He gave me some ability. I'm lucky enough to have it. What I'm doing now is just a little glimpse of what I can do in the future.”

        The biggest difference between last year and this year is Williams' health. His high ankle sprain has healed.

        “Last year, I was doing the same things up until I got hurt,” he said. “I don't think I played bad, but when I was hurt, I couldn't do some of the things I'm doing now.”

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