Ricky Williams' quotes and future. What about N.E.?

[furley]

First, I'm somewhat surprised by how Miami's season turned out. Initially, I saw them as a playoff team this season and, arguably, a top two in their division based on talent and potential. However, I didn't think Chad Henne would regress. Especially, when the team acquired Brandon Marshall and having a healthy Ronnie Brown.

Indeed Williams should move on from Miami who likely will look to retool the roster next off-season. It sounds like to me that he's saying that he's a veteran that is still a capable player in the league and he desires to be an integral part of a team with aspirations of winning a Super Bowl. If he isn't looking for one last big contract, I can see him drawing interest from a team such as San Diego, New England or Oakland. But, he'll have to be willing to accept a backup role, a running back by committee, if he wants to attract more suitors. It depends. I get the impression that he doesn't want to be in a repeat situation as Miami. So, definitely, he's hoping that his new team is a playoff team, a contender.

Williams, speaking on his weekly radio spot with WQAM-560’s Sid Rosenberg, criticized Sparano on several fronts – questioning his philosophies, criticizing his "micromanaging" coaching style, accusing the Dolphins of bieng ill-prepared for their game against the Patriots and saying that Sparano lost the locker room at the end of the season, despite repeated votes of confidence from the players.

"Usually when players are talking and saying the right things, it means that they're full of s***," Williams said.

Williams, 33, also said that he has almost certainly played his last game with the Dolphins, after nine roller-coaster years associated with the team. Williams, who rushed just 159 times in 16 games for 673 yards and two touchdowns, said he wants to "have a chance to play a lot and be a part of something big next year."

Williams expressed frustration that he didn’t have a big enough role – "this whole season I haven't taken one Advil," he said – and that ideally he would play for a team that is "changing things around." He said the Dolphins were in that phase in 2008, when Sparano, Jeff Ireland and Bill Parcells first came to town to turn around a 1-15 team, but no longer.

"It seems like now is time to move on," Williams said. "I was drafted in 1999, and this is the first time I've been a free agent. I'm excited to see what happens."

Williams said he is still angry about the way the 2010 season ended, with the Dolphins going 1-7 at home and losing their final three games of the regular season. Losing to the Patriots, who finished 14-2 and could win their fourth Super Bowl in 10 years, made Williams angrier about his situation in Miami.

"Usually after a rough season there's a sense of relief when it's over with, but I didn't feel like that," he said. "It's the contrast with what they have going on in New England and what we have going on here, and it's a very stark contrast."

"They had less to play for than we did … and they played harder than any team we played all year, and I just expect that from my team," Williams said. He added, "I'm not angry at my teammates. I'm angry at the situation. That’s the coaches, myself, teammates, that's everyone. That's the whole environment that we have there, and I’m just frustrated that it’s not better."

An angry, reflective Ricky Williams says he’s likely done with the Dolphins, doesn’t hold back on criticism of Tony Sparano and teammates | The Daily Dolphin

 

[ALP]

"They had less to play for than we did … and they played harder than any team we played all year, and I just expect that from my team," Williams said.

if he really meant that, then this team is ready for the SB

 

[sbpatfan]

He could be the next Fred Taylor.

 

[Fencer]

Sounds like too much of a prima donna to be a vet addition to the Pats. He wants a lot of touches. He doesn't want the coach to be too nasty. Etc.

He MIGHT fit -- he likes professionalism, winning, and a BB-like coach in Saban. But I doubt he's self-effacing enough to be a Patriot.

Even though he's clearly a better human being than Corey Dillon or Randy Moss, I'm not sure he'd fit the system even as long as they did.

 

[Patjew]

I'm a big Ricky fan. Could be a good replacement for Taylor as sbpatfan said or Morris (though Morris seems strong on STs these days). I will never understand why Miami didn't run more this year. Ronnie Brown is a beast and Ricky Williams is very solid.

 

[ewg_gestalt]

It sounds like to me that he's saying that he's a veteran that is still a capable player in the league and he desires to be an integral part of a team with aspirations of winning a Super Bowl. If he isn't looking for one last big contract, I can see him drawing interest from a team such as San Diego, New England or Oakland. But, he'll have to be willing to accept a backup role, a running back by committee, if he wants to attract more suitors. It depends. I get the impression that he doesn't want to be in a repeat situation as Miami. So, definitely, he's hoping that his new team is a playoff team, a contender.

Reading the article, it's pretty clear to me that Williams will never be a good fit on a Belichick-coached team. Look at the following quote:

“I want to really start focusing on what I want to accomplish and what it is I want to achieve, but not micromanaging this or that and focusing on the little things. It’s keeping my eye on the prize and putting myself in a supporting environment and going to work every day with a smile on my face.”

The fact that he doesn't recognize the fact that it's the attention to detail that makes the Patriots so successful is already a huge strike against him. The fact that he still wants to be a star running back—rather than part of a RB crew—is another problem. BB might let him earn such a spot, but he can't expect that. Contrast Williams with Crumpler, and the differences become even clearer.

 

[furry]

I'm a big Ricky fan. Could be a good replacement for Taylor as sbpatfan said or Morris (though Morris seems strong on STs these days). I will never understand why Miami didn't run more this year. Ronnie Brown is a beast and Ricky Williams is very solid.

Add to that their merry go round QB situation it's a real puzzle.

RBs like that, with the threat of Marshall over the top and Bess in the slot, it should have been workable

 

[convertedpatsfan]

"They had less to play for than we did … and they played harder than any team we played all year, and I just expect that from my team," Williams said.

if he really meant that, then this team is ready for the SB

Indeed. I was extremely impressed with our focus in this game. The Pats always talk about not taking anyone lightly, but they finally showed it against a nothing team with nothing on the line and played the full 60 minutes.

As for Williams, I wonder if that's his way of saying, "Hey, New England, I like you!"

 

[Potstickas]

I know he is frustrated and is now a free agent, but he threw a lot of people under the bus there. He also want more touches. Also is his pot smoking days over? I don't want to risk him influencing the younger kids (Hernandez).

We can use his skills but if Morris stays another year he can be the veteran presence we need. I rather draft a Mid round RB.

 

[DarrylS]

Not confident that we need veteran influence, when does BJGE become a veteran??.. prefer we look at "big" back to compliment BJGE, Woodhead and Faulk(?) .

 

[Fencer]

Not confident that we need veteran influence, when does BJGE become a veteran??.. prefer we look at "big" back to compliment BJGE, Woodhead and Faulk(?) .

Actually, vet influence is one reason I think Kevin Faulk is on the team next year. But yeah, BJGE and Woodhead don't need anybody to settle them down at this point, I would guess.

In Brady, Crumpler, Faulk you'd have three outstanding vet leaders, plus there would be a bunch of other good influences as well.

Almost like the defense used to be!

 

[Gwedd]

Count me in as one who is also surprised by Miami's record this year. Brown, Williams and Marshall should have been a 3-headed beast. Even with Henne regressing somewhat, they should have had a much more potent offense than they did.

I have to say that I agree to a good extent with Williams that the Dolphin's problems had more to do with coaching and especially play-calling than with the quality of their players.

Having said all of that, I cannot think of any good way that Williams would fit onto this team. He still has some good skills, but it's the attitude and lack of control of his ego that concerns me. No NFL player ever got selected or hired, or made any sort of a mark in this league without an ego, and usually a rather large one at that. The really succesful ones, though, were those who could subvert that ego for the good of the team, who could set aside their ego when it came time to play, Williams hasn't figured that out as yet.

 

[borg]

Not a chance. Never has shown leadership qualities. Treats football as a job...without passion. His baggage from his early years...anxiety issues, exodus from football, weed....all may be in his past, but why bring those stories into the locker room.

 

[tajapandu]

don't think it could/would happen just because of the type of absolutely no-nonsense team that BB has built here. That said, i absolutely love Ricky, and would not be opposed to having him here. Sounds like he wants to win. By far the most real dude in the NFL.

 

[reflexblue]

33 years old, i don't think so sorry ricky to late.

 

[PatsDeb]

Well, when rumors started swirling that Corey Dillon was coming here, I thought, "No way BB would want him. Too many issues."

When rumors started swirling that Randy Moss was coming here, I thought, "No way BB would want him. Too many issues."

So, I have given up trying to guess what BB wants in a player. He knows them better than we do. If Ricky is available and would help the team, BB will give him a shot. I think we are pretty set in the backfield for next year though if Faulk comes back. The only thing we'd need is some youth, and Ricky doesn't fit that bill.

 

[BradyManny]

Based on what he was caught with at the Lil Wayne concert, it seems Faulk is no stranger to a little marijuana either - and he's a captain.

Belichick doesn't care what you do in your spare time as long as you're a leader when you're on the clock. I'm not sure Williams falls into that category, but he's also not a bad teammate or any distraction. If BB thinks he'd help the team, he'd add him.

 

[PatsBoy12]

I wouldn't mind it if he did what all of the other veterans do: accept that you're no longer the marquee name and play within the system . . . DO YOUR JOB! If he'd be willing to do that for reasonable pay, why not have him? The guy still has good tread on the tires.

 

[Hoodie]

No thanks. Ricky seems to have turned things around with off field issues but when the plays in Foxboro, particularly in bad weather, he plays like a dog.

 

[TheGodInAGreyHoodie]

Not confident that we need veteran influence, when does BJGE become a veteran??.. prefer we look at "big" back to compliment BJGE, Woodhead and Faulk(?) .

BJGE is a vet and an unrestricted free agent. The only RB we have under contract for next year is Woodhead.