Ricky Williams could be back in the NFL soon enough. He has been talking with the Miami Dolphins concerning his return after he fled the team very close to the start of the season, leaving the team high and dry without a quality starting running back (highest rusher last year: Sammy Morris with 523 yards and 6 TDs).
The AP reports that Dolphins coach Nick Saban confirmed Williams and the Dolphins are discussing a potential comeback.
The story was placed on ESPN.com at 1:39 a.m. — the same time of day, more or less, that the initial story broke that Williams was leaving the team simply because he didn't want to play football anymore.
I was fine with it, notably because he wasn't on my fantasy team.
Of course, we now understand he failed a drug test soon before his retirement. If he wanted to quit, nothing should keep him from doing what he wants in a free country. Sure, he's contractually bound, and the Dolphins wound up getting $8.6 million back from his contract, but if Ricky wanted to travel the world with Lenny Kravitz and enjoy the "high life," none of us this side of the Miami P.D. can stop him.
Sure, the timing could have been better, but there's never a good timing when your star running back retires in his prime. Eddie George had already found another team, and there weren't any quality starting backs looking for a team, but if the Fins felt they had a chance to compete, they could have traded for Travis Henry from Buffalo since he knew Willis McGahee would soon get his starting job (and did). And, in a season of turmoil, they did end up beating the eventual Super Bowl champion New England Patriots on Monday Night Football near the end of the season.
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1 - Sunny
Ricky will apply for reinstatment with the Dolphins around the 23rd of next month. He is entering into the NFL's drug treatment program early.
Kinda makes me wish I would have picked up that replica jersey when it was on sale!