Ricky Williams Story

[Lyion]

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/footb ... 2899c.html

Ricky's stirring up pot again

Sources say the Dolphins locker room is already divided about the return of former running back Ricky Williams, who walked away from the team last year just one week before training camp.
When Ricky Williams walks into coach Nick Saban's first team meeting today at 1 p.m., he should not anticipate a welcome back chant of "Ricky, Ricky, Ricky," from his jilted Dolphin teammates. The red carpet is rolled up and in storage.

Even if the old Ricky shows up - assuming he doesn't change his mind - and busts one between the tackles on his first carry at practice tomorrow morning, the clock is ticking on his bizarre Dolphins career.

It seems clear that Saban, a Bill Belichick no-nonsense disciple, has made a business decision by embracing the return of Williams to restore his value as a football player so he can be traded. Whether that happens before the Oct. 18 trade deadline or after the season, Saban is taking a huge risk.

Even if he can eventually get a second- or third-round pick - unlikely considering the Colts couldn't get a No. 2 for Edgerrin James - it will not be worth the daily distractions the Ricky Williams Circus brings to town and the animosity it causes within his team. How team leaders Jason Taylor (who dressed up as Williams at teammate Sam Madison's Halloween party last year) and Zach Thomas greet Williams after his sudden exit last summer led to a 4-12 season will set the tone.

"It's already dividing the locker room," one GM said. "Nobody wants him."

One GM called stories of Williams turning his life around and never having lost his passion for the game "laughable." Why is he back? Could it be the money? He's been ordered to repay the Dolphins $8.6 million for breaching his contract and he's not going to make that hanging out in Australia or India or studying holistic medicine.

A year ago, Williams' startling decision to quit one week before training camp - as it turns out, it was a few days after he found out he was to be suspended the first four games for failing his third marijuana test - was the story of the NFL summer.

Now his return is once again the biggest story as camps open.

Williams is back in the NFL drug program and his next positive test would bring a one-year suspension. Indications are that he's put down the marijuana, and Saban is willing to give him a chance. "I basically believe in people," Saban said. "I'm always willing to try to support and help people in what they do until they give me a reason not to do that."

Saban's predraft plan was to get Utah QB Alex Smith in the No. 2 spot and bring back Williams. When Smith went first to the 49ers, Saban took Auburn RB Ronnie Brown. Saban still wanted Williams, although Brown, in line for about $18 million in guaranteed money, will certainly be the feature back.

Williams will be allowed to participate in training camp and Miami's five preseason games, but then must serve his suspension the first four regular-season games. Miami's bye comes in the fourth week, which means Williams can't return until Week 6, giving him just one regular season game before the trading deadline to show that he can still play.

One GM predicted that Saban will run Williams hard this summer to showcase him and if he can't trade him before the season opener, he will cut him.

Can Williams be the same player who rushed for more than 3,000 yards in his two years with the Dolphins? He was listed at 226 pounds last year and reportedly was around 195 not long ago. Supposedly, he's now around 215. He still has some bulking up to do and some relationships to repair.

[Zanchief]

Whiners.