Ricky Williams Discussing a Comback per ESPN. - Dallas Cowboys Forum

VirusX · 05-19-2005

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2064287

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DAVIE, Fla. -- Ricky Williams is discussing a comeback with the Miami Dolphins, coach Nick Saban said Thursday.

Saban acknowledged holding recent discussions with Williams, whose sudden retirement stunned the Dolphins shortly before training camp began last season. He would not divulge specifics of the talks, but has long said that he was open to the prospect of Williams returning.

Williams rushed for 3,225 yards and 25 touchdowns in his two seasons with the Dolphins.

"Ricky still seems to be very, very interested in coming back," Saban said. "As I've said before, the things that we discuss, we've decided not to talk about publicly. I think that I can safely say that you all know about his situation as I do."

Leigh Steinberg, Williams' agent, didn't immediately return a phone message seeking comment.

Williams, who led the NFL in rushing in 2002, still owes the Dolphins $8.6 million for breaching his contract by unexpectedly retiring.

He also entered into a settlement last month with a former South Florida woman, agreeing to pay $4,200 per month in support and establish a $300,000 trust fund for a child he fathered.

After quitting the Dolphins, the former Heisman Trophy winner later acknowledged that he failed drug tests and faced a suspension for testing positive three times for marijuana.

"There are issues that need to be worked through," Saban said. "We're all in the process of evaluating those issues before it is resolved."

If Williams returns, he'd likely have to wait until July to un-retire. Otherwise, he would face a one-year suspension for his violations of the NFL's substance-abuse program. Williams will still face a four-game suspension for failing a third drug test for marijuana last July, just before he retired.

Plus, the Dolphins used the No. 2 overall pick in last month's draft on another running back, Ronnie Brown of Auburn.

**big dog cowboy** · 05-19-2005

Miami would be complete morons if they took him back.

JackMagist · 05-19-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by big dog cowboy

Miami would be complete morons if they took him back.

Not if they could work through the issues and then trade him. They are not going to get their momey back; Williams filed bankruptcy to clear that debt legally. It is still on the books as a debt in the NFL but they will never see the money so they might as well see what they can get by letting him come back and be trade bate (or play).

KDWilliams85 · 05-19-2005

I'm inclined to agree. Ronnie Brown is that team's future. If you take Ricky back, trade him for a QB.

VirusX · 05-19-2005

I agree, Ricky is a talented RB but he isnt in the teams future. Grab him and trade him to a team for an impact player like a QB.

Seven · 05-19-2005

Miami is gonna wait until the smoke clears on this one.

jksmith269 · 05-19-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by KDWilliams85

I'm inclined to agree. Ronnie Brown is that team's future. If you take Ricky back, trade him for a QB.

I agree but right now no team would trade value for him. He will have to prove himself this season then seek a trade in the offseason. But heck if he plays well why not keep him whats wrong with two good RB's? Look at it like this if Brown goes down williams Might be there to back him up and vise versa (SP)

KDWilliams85 · 05-19-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by jksmith269

I agree but right now no team would trade value for him. He will have to prove himself this season then seek a trade in the offseason. But heck if he plays well why not keep him whats wrong with two good RB's? Look at it like this if Brown goes down williams Might be there to back him up and vise versa (SP)

If talent were an issue, I'd agree. But Ricky's character leaves much to be desired. Nick Saban should angle to be like Parcells and not deal with it.

bobbie brewskie · 05-19-2005

any predictions on where he would end up?

calico · 05-19-2005

I am a huge Ricky fan, but they would be stupid to take him back.

jksmith269 · 05-19-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by KDWilliams85

If talent were an issue, I'd agree. But Ricky's character leaves much to be desired. Nick Saban should angle to be like Parcells and not deal with it.

I agree but the problem is no one will take him for his value right now he'll have to prove his dedication this season and then get traded next offseason if Miami wants to get anything at all for him, and if he plays well by that time they may not want to get rid of him. I think Nick Saban is looking at Rickey like they are both new and is willing to give Rickey the benefit of the doubt. I hope things work out for Rickey he's a great or was a great running back.

Dale · 05-19-2005

After what he did to the organization, and the drafting of Ronnie Brown, it's time to move on. If the goal is to trade him, then fine. But to welcome him back in Miami would be pretty silly. How could any player, coach or fan take the guy seriously?

KDWilliams85 · 05-19-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dale

After what he did to the organization, and the drafting of Ronnie Brown, it's time to move on. If the goal is to trade him, then fine. But to welcome him back in Miami would be pretty silly. How could any player, coach or fan take the guy seriously?

That's just it... they can't. Ricky wanting to come back and play for the Dolphins says that he has some dedication to football but after what he's done, I wouldn't take him seriously at all. If he wouldn't have left on the premise to just leave, he might be taken a little more seriously. If he would have retired to get his drug habits taken care of and to clean himself up, then I wouldn't have had an issue with it.

Crown Royal · 05-20-2005

I was a big Ricky fan. I mean -BIG. Loved the guy as a player, his style. This devastated me as a fan. Period.

If he wants to come back, fine. But if I were the Dolphins, it wouldn't be on my team.

Dale · 05-20-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crown Royal

I was a big Ricky fan. I mean -BIG. Loved the guy as a player, his style. This devastated me as a fan. Period.

If he wants to come back, fine. But if I were the Dolphins, it wouldn't be on my team.

This is where Dexter Coakley's absence is really felt.

If he were still here, we'd see the obligatory, "Why not trade Coakley, whom the Dolphins liked as a free agent several years ago, for Ricky?"