Ricky Williams reinstated by NFL (11/15/2007)

[Shibby]

So of course I had to put the date in the thread title or we wouldn't know which time this was

Ricky Williams reinstated by NFL

November 15, 2007

FREE PRESS NEWS SERVICES

DAVIE, Fla. — After five failed drug tests, a premature retirement and two separate suspensions from the NFL costing him 30 games and millions of dollars in the past four seasons, running back Ricky Williams may be back in a Dolphins uniform as soon as Friday.

The NFL reinstated Williams Wednesday after the shy Yoga instructor with a social anxiety disorder and history of smoking marijuana had served an 18-month suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.

Advertisement
“It’s pretty obvious I want to see where he is and also let him know where we’re headed, and we’ll go from there,” said Dolphins coach Cam Cameron, who had a brief telephone conversation with Williams Wednesday morning.

“He doesn’t know anything about how we go about our business here.”

Williams, 30, relocated his family from a yoga farm in Northern California to Boston in June. There, he had been undergoing psychological counseling in a private treatment center.

Williams flew into South Florida on Wednesday night. He is scheduled to take a physical and meet with Cameron this afternoon at team headquarters to discuss the possibility of rejoining the team.

The NFL decreed that Williams could practice and attend team meetings, but can’t play until the Monday night game against the Steelers Nov. 26. The Dolphins can use a two-week roster exemption before deciding to activate the 2002 NFL rushing champion or waive him.

While Cameron ponders his decision to bring Williams back into the fold, he has instructed the players to not comment on the situation. However, the always-chatty Joey Porter couldn’t help himself.

“I would (welcome him back). We’re 0-9,” said Porter, who has never played with Williams. “I don’t care who you get. If you get Bin Laden and he could run the ball like Ricky, I’d do anything for a victory.”

Williams’ agent Leigh Steinberg said that he had a “positive and welcoming,” conversation with Matt Thomas, the Dolphins general counsel, and that his client has been on, “pins and needles,” while awaiting NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell’s decision since applying for reinstatement on Oct. 1.

“Ricky has shown courage and determination in facing his problems so he could continue his dream of playing in the NFL,” Steinberg said.

Cameron had been mum on Williams since his hiring last January, but he has repeatedly stressed the importance of having players with high character.

“The easiest predictor of future behavior is previous behavior,” Cameron once said when asked about taking Williams back.

It’s plausible that Cameron would showcase Williams for a few games in an effort to entice an offseason trade for a draft pick. The Rams have expressed an interest in Williams, but because he is one strike away from a lifetime ban the Dolphins would be fortunate to attract anything better than a conditional fifth round pick.

When Dolphins General Manager Randy Mueller was with the Saints in a similar capacity he drafted running back Deuce McAllister although Williams was in his prime in 2001. A year later, Mueller traded the former Heisman Trophy winner to the Dolphins for two first-round draft picks.

Dolphins outspoken defensive end Jason Taylor, who in the past has been a strong critic of Williams, said he met with Cameron to discuss the matter, but withheld comment on the meeting.

Linebacker Derrick Pope, who grew up in Texas watching Williams star for the Longhorns, played with him in 2005 when Williams shared the backfield with then rookie Ronnie Brown.

“I loved the guy,” Pope said. “That’s not my decision to make ... but the position we’re in now we could use any kind of help.”

Williams, who gained over 3,100 yards in two full seasons with the Dolphins, is under contract through the 2008 season. He would be a relative bargain at the league minimum $710,000 for a seventh-year player, particularly while Brown recuperates from knee surgery.

Williams still owes the Dolphins $8.6 million for breaching his contract when he retired before the 2004 season.

[THE BOUNCER]

he has been gone to long and fucked up to much. to much talent in the nfl for him to make any impact.

[rado]

Originally Posted by THE BOUNCER

he has been gone to long and fucked up to much. to much talent in the nfl for him to make any impact.

He'll fuck up again; wash up for sure...

[THE BOUNCER]

he is like some kind of hippy. teaching yoga classes? LMFAO.

[grnmchn]

If he actually plays, he'll get hurt quickly. He is only 210 lbs right now. During his Pro Bowl year(s), his playing weight was a solid 230 lbs. And since he's about to turn 31, I doubt he can take the physical abuse at that weight...

[THE BOUNCER]

Originally Posted by grnmchn

If he actually plays, he'll get hurt quickly. He is only 210 lbs right now. During his Pro Bowl year(s), his playing weight was a solid 230 lbs. And since he's about to turn 31, I doubt he can take the physical abuse at that weight...

i bet his lungs are in great shape too.. lol

[Shibby]

Originally Posted by grnmchn

If he actually plays, he'll get hurt quickly. He is only 210 lbs right now. During his Pro Bowl year(s), his playing weight was a solid 230 lbs. And since he's about to turn 31, I doubt he can take the physical abuse at that weight...

Not saying he's going to be great, but he wouldn't be you normal 31 year old RB. His body hasn't been beaten up for all those years. I could see him being a decent number 2 back in a 2 back system.