Ricky Williams Re-instated?

pp2

I was just reading an online article that mentioned this in passing as if it were fact. I haven't been following this, but is it true? I read a discussion about his current weight vs his playing weight and how he would look coming into camp. If this is indeed the case, I have one question...

What about his one year mandatory suspension for failing yet another drug test?

I really hope the NFL isn't counting last year as his suspension. He didn't serve a punishment, he quit. It doesn't count. If he's allowed to play without serving his suspension I'm going to be pretty disgusted with Paul Tagliabue and the NFL. What kind of example are they setting not only for their other players, but for every kid out there who might have learned a lesson about not doing drugs from what Williams pulled last year?

Simon

Founder/Admin

He was only due for a 4 game suspension, which he will serve for the Dolphins and then most likely get traded.

Ricky is an lion on the field, a baby cub off

pp2

Are you positive about the 4 games? I thought he failed a third time, and that was a year?

If its just 4 then my original post becomes kind of moot, heh. I'm not thrilled with him getting reinstated, but I guess he deserves a second chance...even though he's failed several drug tests already.

Simon

Founder/Admin

MIAMI -- Ricky Williams' strong rapport with new Miami Dolphins coach Nick Saban is part of the reason why the retired running back is contemplating a return, his agent said Friday.



Williams retired unexpectedly last July, shortly before the Dolphins opened training camp and began their tumult-filled season. Without him, Miami went 4-12, saw coach Dave Wannstedt resign 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 Thursday 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.

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.

Necro

VIP Room Moderator

Yeah the 4 game suspension will let him gain weight back, and he'll be ready to go.

I doubt he gets traded though no team will take a risk on him for that amount of money...

pp2

Ok, thanks. Like I said I wasn't following this recently, and for whatever reason I had it stuck in my head the suspension was for a year. I still think he should have to serve the 4 games regardless of when he unretires.

I also agree that Williams is not worth risking a trade for if you're another team. That said, what are the odds on Williams being a Raider in the next 2 years?

Freak

I drafted him as a backup for my fantasy team a few months ago; my roster is deep enough I can afford to take chances. I'm not confident it will really work out beautifully for him, but I hope so.

I wouldn't be surprised if he was dealt. The Dolphins will clearly want to groom Ronnie Brown as their feature back, and I'd assume the asking price for Ricky isn't anything special. That said, I could see them keeping both around for a year while Brown gets used to the pro game; remember, he didn't start in college.

pp2

Yeah, that makes sense too. I think that was part of what surprised me, the fact Miami used that high pick on a back. You gotta believe they're going to look to deal Williams the first chance they get, but they need to make him look good first. That contract is going to hurt though.

I really have mixed feelings about the whole thing. On one hand, if the kid got himself cleaned up then good for him. On the other, I still believe the NFL is making its drug enforcement policies look weak (and possibly setting a precedent that could hurt them down the line) by going through with this whole thing. You know Williams is going to be random tested til his eyes cross, I wonder if he is really clean and can stay that way.