Age just a number for Miami Dolphins' Ricky Williams

[DKphin]

For nearly two years, which is about the time when their relationship began, Dolphins coach Tony Sparano has talked about how impressed he has been by the meticulous ways in which running back Ricky Williams cares for his body.
It is the reason he is confident Williams, at 32, will have no trouble handling a full workload in the absence of Ronnie Brown, who has been officially ruled out of Thursday's game against the Carolina Panthers with a foot injury.
``I don't feel old; I don't feel slow,'' Williams told Dolphin Digest earlier this month. ``I guess if you compare other people at my age . . . I have the advantage that I had a couple of years off. Most people, when they play football when they're 32, they've been doing it their whole life."
Williams, who signed a one-year contract extension through next season and plans to retire after its conclusion, is surging even with limited repetitions behind Brown. If Williams can maintain his current production (he has 558 yards on 105 carries) with an increased workload, he could put himself on an astounding pace.
It also depends on how long Brown will miss, but he could finish the year with his first 1,000-yard season since 2003. With Williams, a man who believes strongly in a one-day-at-a-time approach, there's no sense in looking that far ahead.
But make no mistake: Nobody sees him slowing down anytime soon.
``He looks like he could play forever, man,'' fullback Lousaka Polite said. ``That guy is built to last.''

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/football/miami-dolphins/story/1338664.html

 

[Nawledge]

I agree, because Ricky took those years off hes definately in better shape than the guys his age who have taken all the abuse on their bodies. Ricky still runs great, i dont see his skills diminishing any time soon. The guys still got it. I loved our running back duo but imagine what kind of trouble we'd be in if we didnt have a back of the caliber that Ricky Williams is. He still could be a top back in the league, theres no doubt in my mind.

 

[Kiick72]

It's more than the time he took off. With the carries being split between him and Ronnie, it has helped to keep him in better condition than other backs of his caliber and age. Plus the guy really takes care of himself. He is in great shape.

 

[jetsattack]

I agree, because Ricky took those years off hes definately in better shape than the guys his age who have taken all the abuse on their bodies. Ricky still runs great, i dont see his skills diminishing any time soon. The guys still got it. I loved our running back duo but imagine what kind of trouble we'd be in if we didnt have a back of the caliber that Ricky Williams is. He still could be a top back in the league, theres no doubt in my mind.

rb's just pretty much fall off a cliff. they look great one year and then the next they're pretty much done. just look at tomlinson.....if ricky has to carry the ball 20+ times a game for the rest of the year he might be noticeably slowed down come next year.....and if ronnie's injury is a serious lis franc he might not even be ready come next year.

 

[Nawledge]

rb's just pretty much fall off a cliff. they look great one year and then the next they're pretty much done. just look at tomlinson.....if ricky has to carry the ball 20+ times a game for the rest of the year he might be noticeably slowed down come next year.....and if ronnie's injury is a serious lis franc he might not even be ready come next year.

nah your right, running backs are probably the position that could go downhill the quickest but you watch Ricky run hes still fast and i think hes stronger than he was back when we got him from the Saints. I doubt Sparano will overuse Ricky. Hilliard will get his fair share of carries tommorrow night but Ricky will obviously get the bulk.

It's more than the time he took off. With the carries being split between him and Ronnie, it has helped to keep him in better condition than other backs of his caliber and age. Plus the guy really takes care of himself. He is in great shape.

yea definately...i really dont expect Sparano to overuse Ricky all of a sudden, i expect Hilliard to get his share of carries. Ricky will obviously get more carries than he has this season so far but i dont think he will be given a crazy workload all of a sudden. They know to keep their backs fresh.

 

[Rev Kev]

I hope they spray a lot of "stick um" on Ricky's hands because as a receiver he sorely lacks..., he can still get it done on the ground though...

 

[Nawledge]

we rarely throw to the running backs anyway

 

[SA_BUTTA]

I really think we can be ok with Ricky handling the workload and guys like Hilliard and Sheets coming in to help out. It just means EVERYBODY on the offensive side has to step up to fill the void. Injuries are part of the game and when your star goes down everyone has to work harder. Lets win this one for Ronnie who has been a haus for us all year.

 

[Nawledge]

Injuries are part of the game and when your star goes down everyone has to work harder. Lets win this one for Ronnie who has been a haus for us all year.

Exactly, its key for Hilliard & Sheets to make an impact and contribute in some way but we also need the receivers to start holdin onto the ball. You cant rely on just your ground game all the time. Its really time to step it up for alot of guys.