Ricky and Ronnie
I had been under the impression that Ricky Williams wouldn't be a Dolphin for very long, that he was certain to be traded after this year. Come to find out that isn't the case. Not at all. The Dolphins would like the tandem of Williams and Ronnie Brown to work for several years.
I'm told the Dolphins have not even had internal discussions about the possibility of eventually moving Williams. That's not to say it won't happen for the right price. But Miami isn't looking to do it. And why should the Dolphins? First of all, they can afford both. Under the terms of his contract, because of his drug suspension, Williams is a minimum-salaried player for two more seasons. Second, and more important, the running back position is a two-man job.
Williams is getting on a bit of a roll. He's run for 82 and 83 yards the past two weeks. In four of the Dolphins' last five games, he's averaged 4.8, 5.2, 6.4, and 5.1 a carry.
For the first time in his career, Williams isn't the focal point, but I think he's comfortable in that role. How long he'll accept being paid like a backup, I have no clue. I know the Dolphins haven't aggressively pursued the $8.6 million Williams owes them and as long as things are going well, there's a chance they won't. It's the ideal setup for the Dolphins, for sure. As Miami learned last year, you don't want to find yourself depending on Williams to be "the man." I also think the competition has been good for both backs. And it has helped Brown to have a veteran around to lean on. Having both in the backfield at the same time causes headaches for defenses, though. Defenses align themselves based on the offense's strength. But with no true fullback and two equal threats to run, the Saints' defense, for one, had trouble declaring the Dolphins' strong side and aligning itself accordingly in a loss last month. Williams and Brown have been in the backfield together about a quarter of the time on nonpassing downs. It's a sight the rest of the league might as well get used to.
I had been under the impression that Ricky Williams wouldn't be a Dolphin for very long, that he was certain to be traded after this year. Come to find out that isn't the case. Not at all. The Dolphins would like the tandem of Williams and Ronnie Brown to work for several years.
I'm told the Dolphins have not even had internal discussions about the possibility of eventually moving Williams. That's not to say it won't happen for the right price. But Miami isn't looking to do it. And why should the Dolphins? First of all, they can afford both. Under the terms of his contract, because of his drug suspension, Williams is a minimum-salaried player for two more seasons. Second, and more important, the running back position is a two-man job.
Williams is getting on a bit of a roll. He's run for 82 and 83 yards the past two weeks. In four of the Dolphins' last five games, he's averaged 4.8, 5.2, 6.4, and 5.1 a carry.
For the first time in his career, Williams isn't the focal point, but I think he's comfortable in that role. How long he'll accept being paid like a backup, I have no clue. I know the Dolphins haven't aggressively pursued the $8.6 million Williams owes them and as long as things are going well, there's a chance they won't. It's the ideal setup for the Dolphins, for sure. As Miami learned last year, you don't want to find yourself depending on Williams to be "the man." I also think the competition has been good for both backs. And it has helped Brown to have a veteran around to lean on. Having both in the backfield at the same time causes headaches for defenses, though. Defenses align themselves based on the offense's strength. But with no true fullback and two equal threats to run, the Saints' defense, for one, had trouble declaring the Dolphins' strong side and aligning itself accordingly in a loss last month. Williams and Brown have been in the backfield together about a quarter of the time on nonpassing downs. It's a sight the rest of the league might as well get used to.
