JC: RW is on the downside ? /How much does Ricky have left?

[dolphan39]

Q. Jason, A comparison then a question...in Eddie George's 5th year in the league, he carried the ball 403 times. In the three seasons since, he has not averaged more then 3.4 yards per carry and is apparently in the twilight of his career as a premiere back. Last season was Ricky Williams 5th NFL season and he carried the ball 392 times for 3.5 yards per carry. Do you think we have seen the best of Williams and that in two or three years he too is going to be "used up" as a franchise back?
Stan McKee, Athens, TN 7/21/04

A. I think that's more likely than not. It's like the old saying about boxers: No matter how tough they are, eventually they all flinch.
Jason Cole 7/21/04

:eek:

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/football/qa_forum.htm

 

[*_*ADMIRAL*_*]

yes this would be a very bad thing to happen. RW was and will be overused this year if Boston doesnt excel....

 

[BillsCA]

You guys work him like its going out of style, what do you expect.

 

[Dol-Fan Dupree]

Ricky Williams hasn't hurt his big toe, which really cut down on Eddie George's ability to cut. Without that ability he has taken more punishment and it greatly reduced his chance for the big play.

 

[mike_vee]

oh and emitt smith hasn't been over used , and just look how long he's been around .... it all depend on conditioning and luck (injuries) .

 

[Coral Reefer]

oh and emitt smith hasn't been over used , and just look how long he's been around .... it all depend on conditioning and luck (injuries) .

Yes but it is common sense that overuse increases injury potential and wear on the body isn't it?

Earl Campbell is another great example of a RB that tried to carry an entire team. He was a tank but the Oilers wore him down to nothing and shortened his career.

The OL and QB situations have to get better this year or Ricky will be used as a workhorse once again. Even worse than the fact that he'll be ridden like a horse, if that OL and QB situation gets no better he'll be ridden into the ground for no reason at all since it's a pretty sure bet that the Fins won't make the playoffs or pass the first round if that happens.

 

[ckparrothead]

Yeah we'll see if Ricky gets that big injury that tends to linger, that all these guys end up getting at some point. With any luck it won't happen this or next season...but odds are it will eventually happen.

Still, as far as heading into THIS season goes? Ricky is a premier back, gives us a chance at a great running game anytime we step on the field, and he's a dangerous homerun threat to break off big runs at any time, and also catching passes. So, we have little to complain about.

 

[DoLpHiNz34]

Alot of it has to do with luck and more with conditioning but we gotta stop riding the crap outta Ricky. There are enough guys on this offense to spread the ball around and be effective. He is the centerpiece of our offense but I don't think it's necessary to run him more than 350 times a year, and that's still alot IMO. I don't agree with the coaches letting him take himself out of a game when he's tired or needs a rest. Dave has to let Minor get some more carries cause were gonna kill Ricky.

 

[Muck]

A certain someone just wrote an article about this.

www.finheaven.com/cms/15.html

 

[dolphan39]

A certain someone just wrote an article about this.

www.finheaven.com/cms/15.html

very nice !!!

solid conclusions and well researched

But if the passing game can’t take pressure off Ricky as the season goes on, and the coaching staff is reluctant to give Travis Minor and Leonard Henry some work, this could easily be the year that breaks Ricky, whether by injury or a slide to ineffectiveness