Sir Purr
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- Mar 16, 2019
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"That whole year, for a running back, seemed special from the start to the finish," Stewart said. "You had a lot of faith in what was going on that year in the running game. You could feel that everyone knew we were hitting on all cylinders, whether it was you, the fullback, the offensive line or the play calls.
"And when DeAngelo or I got the ball, we were making guys miss. Then when one guy got tired, Coach (John Fox) did a great job of subbing us in and out. And every week, the coaching staff had us ready for whatever defense we were going to face."
It was a team effort. Stewart said much of the credit for the success that season went to the offensive line and fullback Brad Hoover. Ryan Kalil, the team's starting center then and now, said it was a rare year and one that he will never forget.
"We had two really good running backs who were in their prime, and we made an emphasis of running the ball that year with those guys. We worked and worked and worked at it, and when we had success with it early on, I think we developed a bit of an attitude about ourselves. That sort of became our identity," Kalil said.
"It was fun," continued Kalil - who was selected to his first career Pro Bowl following the 2009 season. "When they (opposing defenses) know it's coming and you can still stick it in there and gain positive yards, that's uplifting for you and disheartening for them."
Hoover recently listed the 2009 season as his third best memory in a decade of playing for Carolina - behind only the 2003 Super Bowl season and his 117-yard rushing effort as a rookie versus the Green Bay Packers on Monday Night Football in 2000.
"Just being a part of that was really something," Hoover said. "Blocking for those guys and watching them achieve something that has never been done before or since in the NFL is something I will cherish forever."
Stewart certainly seemed to cherish Hoover's blocking and veteran guidance that season.
"It was easy to run behind him," Stewart said. "He played running back at one time, so he knew what we were looking for. And it was kind of amazing, because he knew what we were looking for but he was always a step or two ahead. That's what you're looking for in a fullback, one with good instincts. Then as a running back you trust not only your own instincts but the instincts of your fullback, too."