Could Ricky Williams have a large impact in 2008 (1 Viewer)

[Hairy Snowman]

I am not sure where Ricky sits this year. All the talent in the world may never overcome his ten cent head. However, if he is on his game I can see him having a good year in RBBC. If he is not on his game then his career is over.What I find funniest is the number of arguments that suggest he hasn't looked good lately. I totally discount the CFL experiment. Then others point to the Pittsburgh game and his less than par stats. That game ended 3-0 in a total tractionless mud bowl.

I've always been very impressed with Williams during interviews...One can say plenty of bad things about him, but I don't think "ten-cent head" is one of them. Compared the vast majority of the mouth-breathers in the NFL, Ricky is on a different level. He's made some questionable decisions, and he doesn't place football on par with God, but that doesn't change the fact that he is/was an excellent running back. I don't see Ronnie Brown being close 100% this year, so this could be Williams' final chance to shine, and I think he will...

Maybe a poor choice of words. I have always liked watching Ricky Williams. He is an incredibly talented back and I suspect an intelligent individual. My dime evaluation of his mental skills are directed towards his inability to make a simple choice to lay off the Mary Jane for the duration of his football career. To waste those skills for a love of pot will never cease to floor me.

I'm not sure it's really fair to judge Ricky on one poor decision from your perspective considering you've never played in the league or ran the ball once in the NFL let alone 30-40 times a game for a season. The Dolphins were riding Ricky hard and I could see how the stress could get to him and want to get out. I think it was more Ricky didn't like playing football at the time. Got away from it, some perspective on life, and now he wants to play again. More power too him. I picked him up off waivers so I'm fine with his chances. I may get a RB2 out of the deal for a year or two. Couldn't be happier for him.I do think that it is ridiculous that weed is prohibited for NFL players. It has no performance enhancing qualities...it's a waste of time

Ricky smoking the weed is not the only problem - Ricky walking out on his contract with the team right before the season started was a huge problem - that he then retreated to Australia, and that he quit football, and that he has a history of depression PLUS couldn't stay off the weed. Don't delude yourself into thinking his problems are a weed thing - his problems are a Ricky thing.

I think Wanstadt rode Ricky like a horse for two years with one of the worst O Lines in the league blocking for him. He rushed Ricky 383 times in his first year in Miami for 1853 yards and then rushed Ricky 392 times but for only 1372 yards in 2003. You have to remember the way Ricky battled and generated yards on his own. He made people miss just about every play. It wasn't like Wanstandt was game planning Ricky into space and getting him creative touches. By year two everyone knew what the Dolphins were doing - handing off to Ricky - and defenses just keyed in on that and beat him up basically all of 2003. It was ugly. He had practically no blocking. But he generated yards. Ricky was the leader of those Dolphin offenses for those two years and gave the Dolphins the most productive rushing performance of their franchise history in 2002. He still has skills. Now after a few disappointing seasons and injuries you give a veteran of that caliber in a contract year to Bill Parcells? Why does Parcells get veterans ready to perform out of their minds on Sundays? Because they get a completely clean slate and he prefers efficient veterans. But if they don't perform they will be gone yesterday. Kind of a Good Dog/Bad Dog approach. Yeah, I think you will see Ricky play out of his mind. In fact, if this team is coached like a traditional Bill Parcells team, Ricky and Ronnie are both going to be running alot. It safer than passing. And two running back systems are just the way of things for most heavy rushing teams in the NFL now. Too much of a beating for one back to take the whole load in the modern NFL. Just ask Cadillac Williams. Or ask Larry Johnson. In fact, you could just ask Ricky. If Parcells was coaching this team and if both the RBs could get 4 yards a carry each, I could easily see him trying to get 30-40 rushes a game between the two, a strategy involving shortening games - especially when his team was physically outmatched on the field talentwise. Try to win games by keeping the defense fresh by playing limited downs and getting 13-17 points a game out of the offense. With all the work done on the offensive line so far, I could see both running backs going over 1,000 yards THIS YEAR. If healthy, I think there was already talent on this Dolphins team. More than what was reflected in last years record. I could see a surprisingly competitive 8-8 season for the fish. And I think Ricky the veteran will play a big role.

 

[Fighting Noles]

The one thing that hasn't been mentioned here is that the Dolphins know that this is likely going to be another lost season for them, and giving Williams a heavy workload doesn't really make sense as he's surely not in their plans for 2009 and beyond, when they're realistically hoping they can make their run. I think they're more interested in getting a look at guys who can make an impact for them down the line. So, while Williams will definitely get his touches -- especially in the earl-going -- and he makes sense as a late round pick, I wouldn't look for too much here, and I'd be more likely to take a flyer on a guy like Jalen Parmalee. If Brown's injury lingers, Williams will obviously get his carries, but I believe that Parcells will ultimately be much more interested to see if a guy like Parmalee fits into his future plans. Just my two cents.

Since Parcells & the staff drafted Parmalee I also think a "young" team will take a look at these type of players more than Ricky at the end of his contract....We've been burned by Ricky down here in So. Fla. far too often to still "trust" him. For a RB in his 30s' who has basically been in/out of football for the last 4 years or so (people here are still referencing 2003), he sure is getting a lot of "hype" here it seems....We Fin fans can always "hope" for the best but reality usually sets in after a few seconds now when it comes to Ricky.

 

[Hairy Snowman]

The one thing that hasn't been mentioned here is that the Dolphins know that this is likely going to be another lost season for them, and giving Williams a heavy workload doesn't really make sense as he's surely not in their plans for 2009 and beyond, when they're realistically hoping they can make their run. I think they're more interested in getting a look at guys who can make an impact for them down the line. So, while Williams will definitely get his touches -- especially in the earl-going -- and he makes sense as a late round pick, I wouldn't look for too much here, and I'd be more likely to take a flyer on a guy like Jalen Parmalee. If Brown's injury lingers, Williams will obviously get his carries, but I believe that Parcells will ultimately be much more interested to see if a guy like Parmalee fits into his future plans. Just my two cents.

Since Parcells & the staff drafted Parmalee I also think a "young" team will take a look at these type of players more than Ricky at the end of his contract....We've been burned by Ricky down here in So. Fla. far too often to still "trust" him. For a RB in his 30s' who has basically been in/out of football for the last 4 years or so (people here are still referencing 2003), he sure is getting a lot of "hype" here it seems....We Fin fans can always "hope" for the best but reality usually sets in after a few seconds now when it comes to Ricky.

Young team doesn't mean young starters. Some will be, but that is not Parcell's MO.Very rarely has a Parcells coached team ridden any rookie (exceptions being some elite 1st rounders). Especially in the first year of his rebuilding phases, Parcells has played the guys he trusted most not to make mistakes on the field. Historically he tends to trust veterans because they know how he wants things done. Forget the "big" play and get him some yards and make no mistakes.I understand south Florida doesn't trust Ricky. He has been a frosted flake over the last few years in Florida. But I sincerely doubt that plays any role whatsoever in the mind of Bill Parcells or his coaching staff. They will coach to his upside.Bill Parcells will want to win now. He isn't the type of coach who puts players on the field so they have some experience for next year at the expense of wins this year. If he did he would lose the team's player's hearts and minds. As a "fins" fan and a Parcells fan, I think this is the best administration/coaching Ricky will have had during his entire NFL career. Ricky is a guy that Parcells will try to get what he can from him now because there wont be that much tread left on that tire for later. Parmelee is there for a couple of years down the road when the tread comes off IF he can prove he can handle the NFL. Don't expect to see Parmelee much this year except on special teams. And like Parcells said in Dallas regarding running backs - he believes you can't have enough good ones. Which is true when you try to run the ball 60% of the time. If Parmelee gets in at all it will because of injuries to the RBs in front of him.

 

[Todem]

Ronnie Brown is a steal in the late 2nd/early 3rd round of start-up dynasty leagues (PPR), IMO. I think it's one of the very few ways to get an elite RB without spending a 1st-rounder. I'll need more info on what kind of value he'll be in redraft leagues this year, but I believe he's a lock for a consensus top-6 pick (overall) in '09, assuming health. No doubt he'll share the rock in '08, tho (especially early).

Up until half of a season last year....we in South Florida were very leary of Ronnie Brown ever becoming "elite". Ronnie was also getting a ton of garbage points...he was the only option in this offense. I am not saying Ronnie can't be elite...but let's real in what was finally a flash of elite type numbers. Up until that point he ran with a lot of in decision (although he ran hard at times) and was dancing the night away his first 2 years in the league. He has superb hands...no doubt but he is not a proven player IMO. Now if we were able to get a full season out of him last year...I may have changed my tune..but we will never know for a little while if Sep and Oct 2007 was a product of numerous touches and playing from behind all the time (defenses were sitting back all day against Miami last season) or a true indication that Ronnie Brown can be a top 10 back year in year out.I would not risk a pick on Ronnie Brown coming off an ACL and quite frankly another system change. Cam Cameron's offense like a Norv Turner's offense can really showcase a RB.

I will take my chances on other very good RB prospects later in the 2nd or early in the 3rd of dynasty start ups.

Your dead on about 2008...in fact he may not even play till mid season so don't get your hopes up on him being ready for the start of the year. Parcells is not rushing back our (I hope) franchise back. I was very down on Ronnie heading into 2007 and the first few games he was showing the same thing....not much. Then all of a sudden it clicked and he was finding a lot of running room...again playing from behind a lot and lot's of receptions (which for fantasy purposes is great and who cares what the score is in the game).

Ricky will be a huge suprise this season BTW.

 

[bcr8f]

Ronnie Brown is a steal in the late 2nd/early 3rd round of start-up dynasty leagues (PPR), IMO. I think it's one of the very few ways to get an elite RB without spending a 1st-rounder. I'll need more info on what kind of value he'll be in redraft leagues this year, but I believe he's a lock for a consensus top-6 pick (overall) in '09, assuming health. No doubt he'll share the rock in '08, tho (especially early).

Not if he's splitting carries. He and Ricky may alternate or only get 10-15 carries a game and guessing who gets what may be risky. A lock for top 6? With his injury history that is very doubtful. They should alternate them to keep them both healthy.Since he's never finished a season healthy assuming health is risky.

 

[TS Garp]

The one thing that hasn't been mentioned here is that the Dolphins know that this is likely going to be another lost season for them, and giving Williams a heavy workload doesn't really make sense as he's surely not in their plans for 2009 and beyond, when they're realistically hoping they can make their run. I think they're more interested in getting a look at guys who can make an impact for them down the line. So, while Williams will definitely get his touches -- especially in the earl-going -- and he makes sense as a late round pick, I wouldn't look for too much here, and I'd be more likely to take a flyer on a guy like Jalen Parmalee. If Brown's injury lingers, Williams will obviously get his carries, but I believe that Parcells will ultimately be much more interested to see if a guy like Parmalee fits into his future plans. Just my two cents.

Since Parcells & the staff drafted Parmalee I also think a "young" team will take a look at these type of players more than Ricky at the end of his contract....We've been burned by Ricky down here in So. Fla. far too often to still "trust" him. For a RB in his 30s' who has basically been in/out of football for the last 4 years or so (people here are still referencing 2003), he sure is getting a lot of "hype" here it seems....We Fin fans can always "hope" for the best but reality usually sets in after a few seconds now when it comes to Ricky.

Young team doesn't mean young starters. Some will be, but that is not Parcell's MO.Very rarely has a Parcells coached team ridden any rookie (exceptions being some elite 1st rounders). Especially in the first year of his rebuilding phases, Parcells has played the guys he trusted most not to make mistakes on the field. Historically he tends to trust veterans because they know how he wants things done. Forget the "big" play and get him some yards and make no mistakes.I understand south Florida doesn't trust Ricky. He has been a frosted flake over the last few years in Florida. But I sincerely doubt that plays any role whatsoever in the mind of Bill Parcells or his coaching staff. They will coach to his upside.Bill Parcells will want to win now. He isn't the type of coach who puts players on the field so they have some experience for next year at the expense of wins this year. If he did he would lose the team's player's hearts and minds. As a "fins" fan and a Parcells fan, I think this is the best administration/coaching Ricky will have had during his entire NFL career. Ricky is a guy that Parcells will try to get what he can from him now because there wont be that much tread left on that tire for later. Parmelee is there for a couple of years down the road when the tread comes off IF he can prove he can handle the NFL. Don't expect to see Parmelee much this year except on special teams. And like Parcells said in Dallas regarding running backs - he believes you can't have enough good ones. Which is true when you try to run the ball 60% of the time. If Parmelee gets in at all it will because of injuries to the RBs in front of him.

I should have clarified in my earlier post that I agree the Dolphins will absolutely start the season by putting the team on the field that gives them the best chance to win, and that likely includes a healthy dose of Williams. They'll see if they can catch lightning in a bottle and get off to a quick start. If they do, they'll stick with what works -- likely a time-share with Brown and Williams. However, if it's clear that the Dolphins are out of it by mid-season or so, I can't see them sticking with Williams that point. It just doesn't make sense. As much as Parcells likes to win and win now, if his team is completely out of the playoff picture, I think he'd rather get a sense of what he has for next year. So, it really comes down to how competitive you think the Dolphins will be this season, and I just don't see them going from 1-15 to being in the playoff hunt the next year. As I'm typing this, I'm starting to think that Williams will likely make a great guy to target in the later rounds and sell high on after the first 2-3 weeks. I just think it's unlikely that he'll have value all season.

 

[Fighting Noles]

EXACTLY....I don't think Parmalee will be playing in a RBBC with Brown at the START of the year but once the FINS are out of it I think he'll be given more opps. than Ricky. Of course he "only" gets a shot if the two in front of him go down, but one is coming off an ACL injury and the other is a RB in his 30s' with little NFL playing time the last 4 years. The line run blocked well last year BEFORE the addition of Long and knowing Parcells philosophy (& the FINS lack of passing options/talent etc....), I think he'll get a chance at some time before the year is out....I liked what video I've seen of him and his mentions on the "Audible" predraft....