John L (as in Leader) Williams : Pro football: Seattle fullback warms to new role in the Seattle backfield in the post-Curt Warner era.

A year ago, the Seattle Seahawks backfield didn’t need a coach. It needed a psychiatrist.

What was considered a dream backfield had turned into an unproductive nightmare. The million-dollar halfback, Curt Warner, sulked about his decreasing amount of carries. The newly crowed millionaire fullback, John L. Williams, was blocking more than planned, enjoying it less and was playing in a different funk.

Warner stalked off to the Los Angeles Rams for less fortune and significantly less fame as a backup on a 1-4 team. Williams grew from last year’s experiences and is offering the Seahawks offense more than just his considerable talents. He has provided leadership when the offense needed it the most.

“John L. has accepted his senior status in the backfield,” backfield coach Chick Harris said. “He has taken over more of a leadership role. He’s become more vocal with his teammates. Even though he’s a quiet guy, he’s interacting with his linemen. We’ve really seen some maturity from him.”

In many ways, Williams has become even more of the “full” back they envisioned when they drafted him in 1986. He leads the American Conference with 32 receptions, which puts him on a pace for an 85-catch season. His 279 rushing yards might not put him on a 1000-yard pace, but his blocking could provide that opportunity for halfback Derrick Fenner.

“I think he’s the most underrated running back in football by far,” quarterback Dave Krieg said. “Other teams know that he is really good, but the publicity goes to the guys who gain the most yards. When you look overall, I don’t think there is a better running back in the NFL. Neal Anderson’s close. He can block, catch the ball and run, but I don’t think he can block as well as John L.”

The “full” back. During his first four seasons, Williams displayed the on-the-field qualifications. He averaged 602 rushing yards and 51 catches, so the running, catching and blocking isn’t new. The talking is.

Williams grabbed a leadership role with the same authority that he carries a football. He has encouraged the blockers. He’s educated Fenner. Often, he’ll talk the decision makers on offense into giving more handoffs to Fenner if the second-year back is hot.

“He’s become more and more of a team leader and I like it,” Krieg said. “I don’t know why he’s doing it, but I’m glad he is. He’s doing a good job of it. With him and Derrick back there now, they really complement each other. John L. really keeps Derrick in line so much so that I don’t have to worry what they do behind me.”

Last year, the world behind Krieg was a mystery. Running success varied as often as Warner changed his moods. When he felt right, Warner ran well. When he didn’t, the offense sputtered. Averaging 87 yards a game and 3.4 yards a carry, the Seahawks running offense was in one bad mood.

Williams suffered as well.

“It was kinda frustrating,” Krieg said. “They were trying to get Curt the ball and trying to get Curt going. The more they kept doing it, the less John L. was involved. I’m sure it bothered him, but he still went out and played football.”

By the end of the season, Williams emerged above the pettiness and finished the season with 76 catches and 1,156 combined yards.

“Our team was in a funk last year,” Harris said. “We didn’t do the job that we knew we could, and he didn’t get the numbers that he knew he could get.”

Maybe the disappointments of last season taught him that the only important numbers are in the victory column.

“The most important thing is to win,” Williams said. Those desires were evident when the Seahawks visited the Denver Broncos in Mile High Stadium.

Fenner dominated the first quarter by rushing for 64 yards. When Williams approached Harris on the sidelines, he kept stressing a strategy: “That boy’s going pretty good.” After each possession, Williams reiterated the same thoughts, “He’s going pretty good.”

“He” finished with 144 yards and three touchdowns. Williams had the sore body opening holes for him, and he remains perfectly content letting Fenner do the running and letting himself help out Krieg as an outlet in passing situations.

Last Sunday against the Los Angeles Raiders, only one of Williams’ seven catches were planned. Krieg and the fullback improvised the rest.

“When Dave gets antsy back there, I’ve got to move out of the pocket because he’s looking for somebody to throw the ball to,” Williams said.

Psychiatrists might say Williams is suffering from “team player” syndrome.