greasywheels121 Posted May 24, 2005 Share Posted May 24, 2005 This has been in the news for a little bit now. I guess no one posted it, because none of us believed it. It's becoming more and more of a fact. http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2064904 Williams must still serve suspension if he returns ESPN.com news services MIAMI -- Ricky Williams will report to Dolphins training camp in July, according to his agent, Leigh Steinberg. Steinberg told the Palm Beach Post on Friday that Williams "absolutely" plans to rejoin the Dolphins after retiring before last season. "Ricky's made the decision he wants to play again," Steinberg told the paper. Williams' strong rapport with new Miami Dolphins coach Nick Saban is part of the reason why the running back is contemplating a return, Steinberg said Friday. Williams and Saban have had "some steady dialogue in the last 10 days," said Steinberg, who would not discuss specifics or detail what would have to transpire in the coming weeks for the NFL's leading rusher in 2002 to rejoin the Dolphins. "Ricky has expressed a desire and excitement about returning to the Dolphins and playing football this season," Steinberg said. "He's keeping in shape and has been involved in a rigorous training program." Williams, however, did not sound as certain about his return in an online chat with a Sports Illustrated reporter on Wednesday night, saying, "I honestly do not know [about playing football again]." Williams retired unexpectedly last July, shortly before the Dolphins opened training camp and began their tumult-filled season. Without him, Miami went 4-12, coach Dave Wannstedt resigned after nine games and the Dolphins averaged just 17.2 points and 275 yards per game -- their worst production since 1969. The leading Dolphins rusher in 2004, Sammy Morris, had 523 yards -- well off Williams' total of 1,372 in 2003 and his NFL-best 1,853 from 2002. Saban, who has continually remained open to the prospect of Williams returning, said the sides are "in the process of evaluating" some issues that could lead to a comeback. As recently as February, when he was in South Florida for a hearing in a paternity case, Williams told reporters he was "enjoying retirement" and unsure if he'd ever return to football. 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. "He owes a four-game suspension provided he comes back after the one-year anniversary of his retirement," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said Friday. The Williams saga had numerous twists, including his acknowledgment shortly after retiring that he failed drug tests and faced a suspension for testing positive three times for marijuana. A court later found him in breach of contract by retiring and ordered him to repay the Dolphins $8.6 million. "I think he will come through this and be very productive as a player and be a good role model once again," Steinberg told Game Night on ESPN Radio. "We've seen so many situations in this world where people go through troubles and come back and are usually productive. There are players in the NFL who are involved in murder and involved in situations who are now doing endorsements. There are players who are involved in very serious situations where they hurt other people and somehow they are accepted. Ricky Williams was mostly destructive to himself." Williams spent much of the last year traveling to places like India and Australia but, according to some close to him, continued to follow football and the Dolphins. He also enrolled at the California College of Ayurveda in Grass Valley, Calif., studying holistic medicine. "I don't think he has ever lost his passion of the game of football," Steinberg told ESPN Radio. "The only question is whether or not he felt he could exist within the parameters of the NFL. He's been going to the school to help him heal from the drug use. All of that has led him on the path that has made him miss the NFL more and more and more and led him again on a path, which is sort of a more natural path and away from the substances that may not work in the NFL. Right now, the Dolphins is an exciting place to be." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WilliamTell Posted May 24, 2005 Share Posted May 24, 2005 This guy cracks me up, I don't like him, I don't dislike him, he just gives me the giggles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LosMediasBlancas Posted May 24, 2005 Share Posted May 24, 2005 So basically, he needed a year to cleanse the Kingston Super Skunk out of his system, so the he doesn't flunk the 'wiz quiz'. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wedge Posted May 24, 2005 Share Posted May 24, 2005 I heard that he's at 185 lbs. right now. Holy God. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knightni Posted May 24, 2005 Share Posted May 24, 2005 A court later found him in breach of contract by retiring and ordered him to repay the Dolphins $8.6 million. He has 8 million reasons to come back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Palehosefan Posted May 24, 2005 Share Posted May 24, 2005 I truly hope he is at 185 pounds and he gets snapped in half when he comes back. Not that I dislike the guy or anything My favorite part is how he gets his money, turns away from football saying he never really loved the game thinking he would get his money and could smoke as much as he wants to. Then he learns he will have to pay back 8 million in contract money and all of the sudden he has found a reason to play again. His teammates depending on him the past few years wasn't enough, now that his money is in threat, well its back to football. :finger Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
qwerty Posted May 24, 2005 Share Posted May 24, 2005 He better watch his back in training camp. If i was one of his teamates i would snap his legs in half. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChWRoCk2 Posted May 24, 2005 Share Posted May 24, 2005 (edited) i cant wait now hes gonna be a sleeper in the draft if he gets to play, and this would make the dolphins a really dangerous team Edited May 24, 2005 by chi-guy2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pauly8509CWS Posted May 24, 2005 Share Posted May 24, 2005 QUOTE(Wedge @ May 24, 2005 -> 11:22 AM) I heard that he's at 185 lbs. right now. Holy God. I think it's 195 actually, but he still needs to gain 30 pounds to be at playing weight. Ricky Williams I love the guy, not the pot smoking quitter, but the running back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Be Good Posted May 24, 2005 Share Posted May 24, 2005 Yup once Saban figure's out that Feeley sucks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChWRoCk2 Posted May 25, 2005 Share Posted May 25, 2005 QUOTE(Be Good @ May 24, 2005 -> 05:48 PM) Yup once Saban figure's out that Feeley sucks. then they are going to be amazing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kapkomet Posted May 25, 2005 Share Posted May 25, 2005 :fyou Ricky Williams. That's all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wedge Posted May 25, 2005 Share Posted May 25, 2005 I think that the Dolphins are going to try to trade RW for basically whatever they can get. They just took a runningback at the #2 pick, so I think that makes the most sense for them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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