Ricky Williams Wants to Come Back (1 Viewer)

[Iron Mike Tomczak]

Its kind of old news.

According to CBS Sportsline

Ricky Williams, RB MIA

News: The South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports that RB Ricky Williams will seek reinstatement with the NFL this offseason in hopes of coming back to play for the Dolphins, according to his agent. Williams played with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League last season and suffered some injuries (including a broken arm). His agent added that Williams has been passing all of his drug tests, since he was suspended in the first place for violating the league's substance-abuse policy.

Analysis: If he plays next season, consider Williams at best a low-end No. 3 RB for Fantasy use. Remember, he'll still be behind Ronnie Brown on the Dolphins' depth chart.

I have him in a keeper league....Im mulling over keeping him in exchange for a 7th round pick....I probly wont though. He has alot of work (drug tests) to do.

 

[msommer]

Of course he does, he can't play in the CFL while suspended anymore...

 

[David Yudkin]

There are other threads on this from the past couple months, but IMO Williams will stay in MIA because he is dirt cheap (league minimum) and probably stills owes Miami a lot of money for defaulting on his original contract.

MIA will not find another RB of his on-field talent level to play for peanuts. If the new regime absoltuely wants him gone, that's a different story, but IMO that would not be the right move.

Teams potentially wanting to trade for him probably won't offer more than a second day pick as the risk is really high on RW.

 

[saintfool]

i'd welcome the guy back. he'll do training camp and see what he has left in the tank. they need as many weapons as they can in Miami. RW is inexpensive and effective. Win-win situation if he can stay clean...

 

[Couch Potato]

Yes, they'll all come to meet me,

Arms reaching, smiling sweetly.

It's good to touch (and smoke?) the green, green grass of home.

 

[Hamstring]

This guy is the anti Barry Sanders. I'm so sick of him. I hope he loses a step and gets cut.

 

[QUEZILLA]

He will come back strong. He did it once, so I don't know why anyone would think he isn't capable of doing it again. He isn't that old, and probably needs money.

 

[LHUCKS]

Weed isn't a big deal...he shouldn't be in this predicament in the first place. Hell, his last offense was from an herbal store for the love of Christ.

It's ridiculous that marijuana is treated with the same scrutiny as Heroin.

 

[mad sweeney]

He will come back strong. He did it once, so I don't know why anyone would think he isn't capable of doing it again. He isn't that old, and probably needs money.

I was gonna say the same thing about being suspended, but use "4 times" instead of once. He's a risk to stay on the roster that could be used on someone else who's hungrier, more dependable and has heart. But of course they'll keep him since they have him by the short & curlies.

 

[mad sweeney]

Weed isn't a big deal...he shouldn't be in this predicament in the first place. Hell, his last offense was from an herbal store for the love of Christ.It's ridiculous that marijuana is treated with the same scrutiny as Heroin.

I really don't want to hijack this to yet another discussion of the morality and/or reasons behind the rule. But bottom line, the rules are there, everyone has to abide by them. And he has shown repeatedly that he cannot function in the system as it is. As right or wrong as you or I think it is, it is what it is. I wouldn't trust him one bit to finish the season.My opinion is that I don't find a single thing wrong with weed personally but if I am paying someone to be in top physical and mental condition, I don't want stoners. Offseason, sure, but from TC to February no doobage, no munchies, no short term memory loss, no smoke filled lungs etc. It's not like this is a WalMart job, you pay me even vet minimum, that's enough dough for me to restrict my urges until I'm out of football.

 

[wickster33]

He will come back strong. He did it once, so I don't know why anyone would think he isn't capable of doing it again. He isn't that old, and probably needs money.

He'll be 30 by the time the season rolls around, and has 5 hard years on the body. The skills evaporate pretty quickly at that point. I'm sure he needs the money, but not sure he'll have the motivation to get himself back into playing shape one more time. Couple that with the fact that he's one toke away from a lifetime ban, I think you can safely say sayanorra Ricky.I can certainly see the Phins using him as a backup, but I can't see him getting the kind of meaningful carries that would give him fantasy value unless RB is injured.Don't think he'll be in real demand around the NFL either.

 

[J-Rock]

Weed isn't a big deal...he shouldn't be in this predicament in the first place. Hell, his last offense was from an herbal store for the love of Christ.It's ridiculous that marijuana is treated with the same scrutiny as Heroin.

It's amazing to me that Williams is chastized for smoking pot while Merriman is praised as the successor to Ray Lewis as the Most dominant LB in football even after he basically admitted to cheeting.I really don't want to make this a pot issue and I'm not advocating that they stop testing for it. No one is going to argue that smoking pot can make you a better athlete or that it in any way gives a player an unfair advantage. Shawne Merriman cheeted, plain and simple. The guy took a performance inhancing drug to give himself an illegal advantage on the field. This is an issue in pro football. Rasta Rickey is not.

 

[LHUCKS]

Weed isn't a big deal...he shouldn't be in this predicament in the first place. Hell, his last offense was from an herbal store for the love of Christ.It's ridiculous that marijuana is treated with the same scrutiny as Heroin.

It's amazing to me that Williams is chastized for smoking pot while Merriman is praised as the successor to Ray Lewis as the Most dominant LB in football even after he basically admitted to cheeting.I really don't want to make this a pot issue and I'm not advocating that they stop testing for it. No one is going to argue that smoking pot can make you a better athlete or that it in any way gives a player an unfair advantage. Shawne Merriman cheeted, plain and simple. The guy took a performance inhancing drug to give himself an illegal advantage on the field. This is an issue in pro football. Rasta Rickey is not.

 

[Couch Potato]

I've seen it posted in other threads that there's a possibility of Denver moving Tatum elsewhere and bringing Ricky in since they showed interest last year before his suspension. Any new rumblings coming out of Denver on that?

 

[ThePittbully]

Weed isn't a big deal...he shouldn't be in this predicament in the first place. Hell, his last offense was from an herbal store for the love of Christ.It's ridiculous that marijuana is treated with the same scrutiny as Heroin.

It's amazing to me that Williams is chastized for smoking pot while Merriman is praised as the successor to Ray Lewis as the Most dominant LB in football even after he basically admitted to cheeting.I really don't want to make this a pot issue and I'm not advocating that they stop testing for it. No one is going to argue that smoking pot can make you a better athlete or that it in any way gives a player an unfair advantage. Shawne Merriman cheeted, plain and simple. The guy took a performance inhancing drug to give himself an illegal advantage on the field. This is an issue in pro football. Rasta Rickey is not.

Yea thats my biggest beef with all this, people made a bigger deal of RW smoking pot then Merriman and other players who were caught flat out cheating. I know pot's illegal but it is in no way shape or form a performance enhancing drug and should not be judge with the same (or in these cases more) scrutiny as people taking drugs to gain an advantage over other players

 

[Big Score]

I'm sure he'll be reinstated, but I'm just as sure that he'll end up failing another test and get a lifetime ban.

 

[TheLastDispatch]

Yea thats my biggest beef with all this, people made a bigger deal of RW smoking pot then Merriman and other players who were caught flat out cheating. I know pot's illegal but it is in no way shape or form a performance enhancing drug and should not be judge with the same (or in these cases more) scrutiny as people taking drugs to gain an advantage over other players

Maybe, but in the eyes of the league any player caught using any substance that's illegal in the United States should be penalized. An illegal drug is an illegal drug. At least, that's how I think the league views it.

 

[LHUCKS]

Yea thats my biggest beef with all this, people made a bigger deal of RW smoking pot then Merriman and other players who were caught flat out cheating. I know pot's illegal but it is in no way shape or form a performance enhancing drug and should not be judge with the same (or in these cases more) scrutiny as people taking drugs to gain an advantage over other players

Maybe, but in the eyes of the league any player caught using any substance that's illegal in the United States should be penalized. An illegal drug is an illegal drug. At least, that's how I think the league views it.

We know that's how the league views it...we're saying their view is wrong.

 

[Hamstring]

He souldn't do it. If its illegal its illegal. Why its illegal is different.

 

[mad sweeney]

Weed isn't a big deal...he shouldn't be in this predicament in the first place. Hell, his last offense was from an herbal store for the love of Christ.

It's ridiculous that marijuana is treated with the same scrutiny as Heroin.

It's amazing to me that Williams is chastized for smoking pot while Merriman is praised as the successor to Ray Lewis as the Most dominant LB in football even after he basically admitted to cheeting.I really don't want to make this a pot issue and I'm not advocating that they stop testing for it. No one is going to argue that smoking pot can make you a better athlete or that it in any way gives a player an unfair advantage.

Shawne Merriman cheeted, plain and simple. The guy took a performance inhancing drug to give himself an illegal advantage on the field. This is an issue in pro football. Rasta Rickey is not.

Merriman didn't admit to cheeting (sp), he admitted to taking something that wasn't guaranteed to be pure. Maybe he's lying, maybe not. Point is, he only got caught once. Reefer you get a warning, then a 1 game, then a four game then a year suspension. So they do view it differently. Automatic 4 game suspension for your first offense for roids, a warning for your first positive drug test. So, what's worse, cheeting (sp) once (even if he did it on purpose which was never proven) or repeatedly getting busted using drugs four separate times?

And the reason pot is banned is not for inhancement (sp) purposes, but as an investment protection. Owners have the right to make sure that the guys they pay millions of dollars to aren't a) inhibiting their abilities with a depressant that has a lot of negative effects and b) going to get in trouble with the law for using/buying/posessing illegal substances. Wife beating isn't performance enhancing yet the league will suspend you for it. Illegal firearms aren't performance inhancing but you can get suspended for it. Etc... substances and actions are not against the rules of the NFL just because they enhance performance.

And as for those concerned with "sending the wrong message with steroids", I fail to see how repeatedly getting busted for pot sends any better message. "Legalize" marijuana in the NFL would basically be saying to student athletes and kids that using recreational drugs is ok and acceptable. And despite the fact that I fervently wish pot would be legalized and feel it has many, many industrial and medicinal uses not to mention my own long recreational use, as long as it is illegal the money behind the NFL will keep it illegal IN the NFL.

As far as I am concerned, both send the wrong message. And the only reason I am "against" Williams' return to the NFL isn't becuse of what he did but because ofd the likelihood that he'll do it again.

 

[ooofffaaa]

Weed isn't a big deal...he shouldn't be in this predicament in the first place. Hell, his last offense was from an herbal store for the love of Christ.It's ridiculous that marijuana is treated with the same scrutiny as Heroin.

It's amazing to me that Williams is chastized for smoking pot while Merriman is praised as the successor to Ray Lewis as the Most dominant LB in football even after he basically admitted to cheeting.I really don't want to make this a pot issue and I'm not advocating that they stop testing for it. No one is going to argue that smoking pot can make you a better athlete or that it in any way gives a player an unfair advantage. Shawne Merriman cheeted, plain and simple. The guy took a performance inhancing drug to give himself an illegal advantage on the field. This is an issue in pro football. Rasta Rickey is not.

Ricky could possibly be the biggest fruit loop in the league but the man can flat out run the football with the best of them.

 

[WhoDat]

There are other threads on this from the past couple months, but IMO Williams will stay in MIA because he is dirt cheap (league minimum) and probably stills owes Miami a lot of money for defaulting on his original contract.

MIA will not find another RB of his on-field talent level to play for peanuts. If the new regime absoltuely wants him gone, that's a different story, but IMO that would not be the right move.

Teams potentially wanting to trade for him probably won't offer more than a second day pick as the risk is really high on RW.

Just a Devil's Advocate perspective. Why not?

A team that will now be starting over...again...in a 4 year time frame...will own the rights to a player that is at best a malcontent. Talent aside. We know how good Williams is on the field. We all do. We also know what he is like off the field.

How exactly does that personality aid a team on the rebound or in the process of a rebuild? What type of message will keeping him around send? Are the economics of the situation worth more than presenting a united front and consistent message from new team leadership? Are Williams' skills worth more than a content locker room?

The Dolphins are in a very tight spot. Saban leaves them unexpectedly. The team is interviewing the wrong Shula; someone that should stay at Georgia Tech and a decent candidate in Mora, Jr. They spent a hefty amount of money on the wrong QB...C'Pepper...and have a defense built around players that are not getting any younger...Thomas and Taylor. At one time this was one of the top franchises in the league and, now, they have problems.

Conversely, they have a player in Williams, who is also aging, that needs to repay a debt and offers depth at RB at a great price.

Which is more important? What Williams offers in terms of talent v. money or reshaping the team?

My feeling is that new team management will end up dumping and or trading Williams, while attempting to get the right type of people in the locker room.

 

[David Yudkin]

There are other threads on this from the past couple months, but IMO Williams will stay in MIA because he is dirt cheap (league minimum) and probably stills owes Miami a lot of money for defaulting on his original contract.

MIA will not find another RB of his on-field talent level to play for peanuts. If the new regime absoltuely wants him gone, that's a different story, but IMO that would not be the right move.

Teams potentially wanting to trade for him probably won't offer more than a second day pick as the risk is really high on RW.

Just a Devil's Advocate perspective. Why not?

A team that will now be starting over...again...in a 4 year time frame...will own the rights to a player that is at best a malcontent. Talent aside. We know how good Williams is on the field. We all do. We also know what he is like off the field.

How exactly does that personality aid a team on the rebound or in the process of a rebuild? What type of message will keeping him around send? Are the economics of the situation worth more than presenting a united front and consistent message from new team leadership? Are Williams' skills worth more than a content locker room?

The Dolphins are in a very tight spot. Saban leaves them unexpectedly. The team is interviewing the wrong Shula; someone that should stay at Georgia Tech and a decent candidate in Mora, Jr. They spent a hefty amount of money on the wrong QB...C'Pepper...and have a defense built around players that are not getting any younger...Thomas and Taylor. At one time this was one of the top franchises in the league and, now, they have problems.

Conversely, they have a player in Williams, who is also aging, that needs to repay a debt and offers depth at RB at a great price.

Which is more important? What Williams offers in terms of talent v. money or reshaping the team?

My feeling is that new team management will end up dumping and or trading Williams, while attempting to get the right type of people in the locker room.

Long story short, teams RELEASING an uninjured, former 1,800 yard rusher playing for the league minimum is not a swift move (again, not old and decrepit). But that's just me. As outlined several other times, his trade value has got to be minimal (second day pick at best), so if I were the coach I'd keep him. But I'm not the coach, so what I think clearly is not going to matter.

 

[TheFanatic]

Yea thats my biggest beef with all this, people made a bigger deal of RW smoking pot then Merriman and other players who were caught flat out cheating. I know pot's illegal but it is in no way shape or form a performance enhancing drug and should not be judge with the same (or in these cases more) scrutiny as people taking drugs to gain an advantage over other players

Maybe, but in the eyes of the league any player caught using any substance that's illegal in the United States should be penalized. An illegal drug is an illegal drug. At least, that's how I think the league views it.

Then explain the emphasis on the cold medicines? Kory Strninger takes some cold medicines to get a step on guys and it turns out he has a weak heart and the stuff kills him. Now guys who pop sudafed get an automatic 4 game suspension. They are actually treated worse than if they crack or heroine because the first offense for heroin is a 1 game suspension....Like Sudafed is more likely to kill you than crack or heroin?

 

[Jackal]

Of course he does, he can't play in the CFL while suspended anymore...

yes he can. all current cfl players are grandfathered in.

 

[WhoDat]

There are other threads on this from the past couple months, but IMO Williams will stay in MIA because he is dirt cheap (league minimum) and probably stills owes Miami a lot of money for defaulting on his original contract.

MIA will not find another RB of his on-field talent level to play for peanuts. If the new regime absoltuely wants him gone, that's a different story, but IMO that would not be the right move.

Teams potentially wanting to trade for him probably won't offer more than a second day pick as the risk is really high on RW.

Just a Devil's Advocate perspective. Why not?

A team that will now be starting over...again...in a 4 year time frame...will own the rights to a player that is at best a malcontent. Talent aside. We know how good Williams is on the field. We all do. We also know what he is like off the field.

How exactly does that personality aid a team on the rebound or in the process of a rebuild? What type of message will keeping him around send? Are the economics of the situation worth more than presenting a united front and consistent message from new team leadership? Are Williams' skills worth more than a content locker room?

The Dolphins are in a very tight spot. Saban leaves them unexpectedly. The team is interviewing the wrong Shula; someone that should stay at Georgia Tech and a decent candidate in Mora, Jr. They spent a hefty amount of money on the wrong QB...C'Pepper...and have a defense built around players that are not getting any younger...Thomas and Taylor. At one time this was one of the top franchises in the league and, now, they have problems.

Conversely, they have a player in Williams, who is also aging, that needs to repay a debt and offers depth at RB at a great price.

Which is more important? What Williams offers in terms of talent v. money or reshaping the team?

My feeling is that new team management will end up dumping and or trading Williams, while attempting to get the right type of people in the locker room.

Long story short, teams RELEASING an uninjured, former 1,800 yard rusher playing for the league minimum is not a swift move (again, not old and decrepit). But that's just me. As outlined several other times, his trade value has got to be minimal (second day pick at best), so if I were the coach I'd keep him. But I'm not the coach, so what I think clearly is not going to matter.

In no way am I saying you are wrong and releasing him would be against...sort of...conventional wisdom but it is going to depend on the type of tone and message the new coach wants to set. Thus, Williams' job, opinion, is far from safe. It is not just Williams. It is Williams' problems combined with everything else. At some point you have to start addressing the entire situation. Dropping a player, like Williams, would send a pretty quick message of what will and will not be tolerated. Of course, it is going to depend on the coach; his philosophy and ownership's willingness or unwillingness to hold or part with Williams but I would not be shocked to see it happen.

 

[Blackjacks]

Yea thats my biggest beef with all this, people made a bigger deal of RW smoking pot then Merriman and other players who were caught flat out cheating. I know pot's illegal but it is in no way shape or form a performance enhancing drug and should not be judge with the same (or in these cases more) scrutiny as people taking drugs to gain an advantage over other players

Maybe, but in the eyes of the league any player caught using any substance that's illegal in the United States should be penalized. An illegal drug is an illegal drug. At least, that's how I think the league views it.

Then explain the emphasis on the cold medicines? Kory Strninger takes some cold medicines to get a step on guys and it turns out he has a weak heart and the stuff kills him. Now guys who pop sudafed get an automatic 4 game suspension. They are actually treated worse than if they crack or heroine because the first offense for heroin is a 1 game suspension....Like Sudafed is more likely to kill you than crack or heroin?

Do you really believe Kory Stringer died of cough medicines? Come on Scotty, your smarter than that. Think for a second that he was on other drugs and that's what killed but the family was still wanting to sue the Vikings for putting him out in the heat to long or whatever. Don't you think it was a good descion to make Kory look as good as possible and also not tick off his family at the same time. I'm not saying I know what happened but I don't believe it had anything to do with cold medicine.

 

[David Yudkin]

There are other threads on this from the past couple months, but IMO Williams will stay in MIA because he is dirt cheap (league minimum) and probably stills owes Miami a lot of money for defaulting on his original contract.

MIA will not find another RB of his on-field talent level to play for peanuts. If the new regime absoltuely wants him gone, that's a different story, but IMO that would not be the right move.

Teams potentially wanting to trade for him probably won't offer more than a second day pick as the risk is really high on RW.

Just a Devil's Advocate perspective. Why not?

A team that will now be starting over...again...in a 4 year time frame...will own the rights to a player that is at best a malcontent. Talent aside. We know how good Williams is on the field. We all do. We also know what he is like off the field.

How exactly does that personality aid a team on the rebound or in the process of a rebuild? What type of message will keeping him around send? Are the economics of the situation worth more than presenting a united front and consistent message from new team leadership? Are Williams' skills worth more than a content locker room?

The Dolphins are in a very tight spot. Saban leaves them unexpectedly. The team is interviewing the wrong Shula; someone that should stay at Georgia Tech and a decent candidate in Mora, Jr. They spent a hefty amount of money on the wrong QB...C'Pepper...and have a defense built around players that are not getting any younger...Thomas and Taylor. At one time this was one of the top franchises in the league and, now, they have problems.

Conversely, they have a player in Williams, who is also aging, that needs to repay a debt and offers depth at RB at a great price.

Which is more important? What Williams offers in terms of talent v. money or reshaping the team?

My feeling is that new team management will end up dumping and or trading Williams, while attempting to get the right type of people in the locker room.

Long story short, teams RELEASING an uninjured, former 1,800 yard rusher playing for the league minimum is not a swift move (again, not old and decrepit). But that's just me. As outlined several other times, his trade value has got to be minimal (second day pick at best), so if I were the coach I'd keep him. But I'm not the coach, so what I think clearly is not going to matter.

In no way am I saying you are wrong and releasing him would be against...sort of...conventional wisdom but it is going to depend on the type of tone and message the new coach wants to set. Thus, Williams' job, opinion, is far from safe. It is not just Williams. It is Williams' problems combined with everything else. At some point you have to start addressing the entire situation. Dropping a player, like Williams, would send a pretty quick message of what will and will not be tolerated. Of course, it is going to depend on the coach; his philosophy and ownership's willingness or unwillingness to hold or part with Williams but I would not be shocked to see it happen.

A good, new coach should be able to play off this and make this a win-win situation for everyone. For example:- New coach = one last chance for RW

- Make clear any problems with RW = RIP

- Tell him he is on the bench until he proves he wants to play and stay clean

- If RW starts running like a house of fire, give him the ball some

- If RW keeps doing well, use him some more

- Teammates see RW doing better and being part of the team concept and also pitch in more

- If RW slacks off, bench him and use him only in an emergency

I agree that RW is a headcase (like many others) and needs to be treated like an infant. Give him no rope to hang himself and he may be able to do something. If not, then dump him. But even if they have to resort to that, it would not have cost them much $$$.

 

[jme10]

I'm sure most of the NFL players smoke weed now and again. Take Vick and the water bottle incident. The problem with RW is not the fact that he smokes weed.. The problem with RW is that he is dumb enough to get caught time and time again.

 

[LHUCKS]

I'm sure most of the NFL players smoke weed now and again. Take Vick and the water bottle incident. The problem with RW is not the fact that he smokes weed.. The problem with RW is that he is dumb enough to get caught time and time again.

His last offense wasn't for weed.

 

[mad sweeney]

I'm sure most of the NFL players smoke weed now and again. Take Vick and the water bottle incident. The problem with RW is not the fact that he smokes weed.. The problem with RW is that he is dumb enough to get caught time and time again.

His last offense wasn't for weed.

But he still got caught for illega substances, again. Next time he gets popped it won't matter if it's reefer, x, or coke. A small detail, bordering on being just a semantic difference.

 

[Barry]

The problem with RW is that he is dumb enough to get caught time and time again.

I don't think it's because he's dumb.

 

[Sam Quentin]

with a stable RW and Willie Roaf, how good could Ditka's Saints have been with just one year....

 

[QUEZILLA]

I'm sure most of the NFL players smoke weed now and again. Take Vick and the water bottle incident. The problem with RW is not the fact that he smokes weed.. The problem with RW is that he is dumb enough to get caught time and time again.

I smoked with the Eagles 2006 1st round pick multiple times. Never during the season though.

 

[J-Rock]

I'm sure most of the NFL players smoke weed now and again. Take Vick and the water bottle incident. The problem with RW is not the fact that he smokes weed.. The problem with RW is that he is dumb enough to get caught time and time again.

I smoked with the Eagles 2006 1st round pick multiple times. Never during the season though.

And I'm sure he appreciates you posting that on a public web site.

 

[QUEZILLA]

I'm sure most of the NFL players smoke weed now and again. Take Vick and the water bottle incident. The problem with RW is not the fact that he smokes weed.. The problem with RW is that he is dumb enough to get caught time and time again.

I smoked with the Eagles 2006 1st round pick multiple times. Never during the season though.

And I'm sure he appreciates you posting that on a public web site.

Thats wy I didn't post his name

 

[J-Rock]

I'm sure most of the NFL players smoke weed now and again. Take Vick and the water bottle incident. The problem with RW is not the fact that he smokes weed.. The problem with RW is that he is dumb enough to get caught time and time again.

I smoked with the Eagles 2006 1st round pick multiple times. Never during the season though.

And I'm sure he appreciates you posting that on a public web site.

Thats wy I didn't post his name

Philly only had 1 2006 first round pick.Who could you possible be talking about...

 

[ooofffaaa]

Over/Under on the amount of NFL players that smoke weed - 75

Over/Under on the amount of NBA players that smoke weed - 150

I'll take the over on both.

Place your bets . . .

 

[rascal]

He might end up in Denver because of their favorable weed laws.

 

[Iron Mike Tomczak]

So to get this back on track, for anyone in a Keeper league or just fantasy owners in general, what do you think about holding on to RW or drafting him as early as the 7th round?

Note my league drafts 16 rounds.