March 31, 2007

Ricky Williams wants back in...: but is there a spot for him? Running back Ricky Williams, exiled for the entire 2006 season because of a fourth violation of the NFL substance abuse policy, has triggered the process that could end his one-year suspension and lead to his reinstatement by the league.

posted by louisville_slugger to football at 07:30 PM - 12 comments

Doesn't Williams owe the Dolphins a few million dollars? I thought that's why he un-retired in the first place. If they cut him, they'll lose out on that money, no?

posted by forrestv at 10:02 PM on March 31, 2007

marijuana abuse? thats a term only used in circles of people who have never smoked pot before. Me thinks "dependency" is a better term for it I would like to see Ricky run again, he is an asset to the league and its a bummer we havent gotten to see much of him these last few years. The first season he had at Miami was sick. He probably wont return to that form but lately two-back teams are pretty popular...and succesful for that matter.

posted by dezznutz at 09:23 AM on April 01, 2007

Does anyone else find it funny that Williams now lives in a place called Grass Valley?

posted by Ratbast at 10:04 AM on April 01, 2007

Yea, I got a kick out of that too.

posted by louisville_slugger at 10:41 AM on April 01, 2007

I think the last paragraph of the article said it all. He can still contribute to an NFL team if he's motivated and in shape. In shape? Probably. He spent last season playing the game, albeit in Canada. The broken arm shouldn't be a concern, but the Achilles may be a concern. Motivated? That's the bigger "if". He always seems to get motivated when he doesn't have enough cash, but once it starts to roll in again, his newfound focus goes bye bye (or maybe just shifts to "other things"). I don't know what his current financial situation is, so maybe he's actually straightened out his life this time. I hope so, because if he never does anything more in the NFL, it will be a terrible waste of potential.

posted by ctal1999 at 01:08 PM on April 01, 2007

Didn't Ricky once admit to not even wanting to play football?

posted by papoon at 04:10 PM on April 01, 2007

I'm so tired of ricky being ricky. I use to be on his side. I thought it was great that he decided to quit football and travel. Why should he have to play football just because he's got talent if he wants to do something else? It's his life. But now he just seems wishy washy, doing this, needing money, doing that, but never really putting himself into it all the way. Which is fine, his life, but it doesn't hold my interest.

posted by justgary at 08:45 PM on April 01, 2007

"It's confluence." That's what he chalks it all up to---confluence---in this interview on (albeit Canada's national network) CBC's The Hour.

posted by Spitztengle at 10:30 PM on April 01, 2007

ctal1999, as a fan of the CFL I have take exception to the "ableit in Canada." Remark. Yes the CFL is smaller, but then again, so is Canada in population size. They play a remarkable and entertaining game. The rules are different and it takes different skill sets to be successful. It is not the minor leagues of the NFL and shouldn't be derided as inferior.

posted by apoch at 10:40 PM on April 01, 2007

Well, as a fan of the CFL, I have to say that it's a fun game and a good sport, but is totally the minor leagues compared to the NFL. The crowds are nice though, and you can make a bit of money doing it. People care.

posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 08:12 AM on April 02, 2007

Apoch, I meant no disrespect. The CFL is a fine league, but I don't think that the overall talent base equals that of the NFL. I wouldn't even go as far as Weedy and compare it to the minors, but it is a slight step down. I said that in order to cut off anyone who'd say, "Yeah, but he only played in Canada" because the Canadian athletes ARE in shape and that complaint falls flat.

posted by ctal1999 at 08:16 PM on April 02, 2007

I wouldn't even go as far (to) compare it to the minors, but it is a slight step down Fine. I'll say it. It's the minor leagues compared to the NFL but so is the Arena Football league for that matter but so what? I happen to like all 3 leagues. Don't look at it as a slap in the face (unless you own stock) but the reality is, anything that's not considered to be PRO is pretty much a step down, then it's the minor leagues.

posted by BornIcon at 08:30 AM on April 03, 2007

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