On the field, this season has been a bit of a roller coaster ride for Andre Williams. Off the field, however, life is good for former Parkland High School and Boston College standout who is in his second year as a New York Giants running back.

As far as football, Williams is one of four running backs who have handled the Giants’ ground attack. Williams hasn’t been in the limelight much since last year when he was the team’s leading rusher with 721 yards and seven touchdowns on 217 carries.

This season, Williams has 179 yards on 63 carries and a touchdown through 10 games. His best effort was a 6-carry, 43-yard effort against Atlanta Sept. 20. Williams has typically entered the game for a series of plays, but he hasn’t been in the regular mix with Rashad Jennings, Shane Vereen, and Orleans Darka.

Head coach Tom Coughlin believes Williams can be a regular contributor.

“Williams probably needs more carries,” Coughlin said. “We still have to work it out in our present system. He runs hard and can also catch the ball well.”

“There are times when he has a good play and there are other times when he doesn’t,” said offensive coordinator Ben McAdoo. “We would like to see more production from Andre.”

Outside of football, Williams and his wife are expecting a child in February. He also continues progress in the development of a padded compression shirt with a elastomeric stabilizing device for shoulders, an idea contrived after some nagging shoulder injuries. He also has received the second prototype sports shoe and details will be announced in the upcoming months.

Yet, it is a balance between his two worlds that has kept Williams on an even keel.

“Overall, things are well,” said Williams after the Giants’ game against New England Nov. 15. “It is a different year and it can be frustrating at times. We are 10 games into the season and I made it to the bye week healthy.

“I have another opportunity to get stronger, recover my body, and have another chance after the bye week to get some more playing time down the stretch.”

Williams also has the chance to get to the postseason as his team is 5-6 but tied with Washington for first place in the NFC East.

“We’re still in it,” Williams said. “It has been a season of win, loss, win, loss and so on. But that’s not good. We’re not building the momentum we should have at this point. As good as our team is, it doesn’t show.

“With this, you have a feeling like you’re starting over all the time. Then you go into the bye week with a loss and you really have a bad taste in your mouth. It is really something that we have to overcome. We know we can do it.”

Off the field, Williams is enjoying a hectic pace.

“There’s a lot going on,” he stated. “Life always seems to presenting something. We are working out the final details for the shoe, and we will have a launch party in January. We also have a prototype for the shoulder armor coming in and we will be able to do some testing with those.

“But everything is good right now.”

As a result, Williams has gained a sense of comfort while retaining a sense of reality.

“I have always felt that I am older than my age,” said the 23-year-old. “But I know I still have a lot to learn in this game. I can feel myself getting better. I feel I am better physically and more stable emotionally.

“I know what I am capable of doing. I have been diligent in addressing issues that may hold me back to be successful. The things that I need to improve on I have been doing. I can feel it and I can see it.

“I’m not sure how it is going to translate, and how to display on the field. I’m healthy and the opportunity is still at the door.”