These are the principles that I am using to come to this reasoning:
1. Saban knows that this team will be most successful with a workhorse (20-25 carries) and a guy to spell him at about 5-10 carries a game.
2. He knows that Ronnie Brown is a special player and that he will be an anchor of this team for the next 7-10 years.
3. He knows that he will not get near market value for Ricky Williams unless he features him.
4. He knows that the 2005 and 2006 Miami Dolphins are not Super Bowl caliber.
5. This is a 4-5 year building plan and Ricky will be 31 and declining in four years.
Based on this reasoning is it completely out of the question that Nick will rely on Ricky more and more as the season progresses, not because he is better than Ronnie, but because it is best for the 2007 Miami Dolphins.
Personally, I think that Miami has to keep Ricky unless they can get a first day pick. Now, I know a first rounder is out of the question. I also think a second rounder might be tough. But, I think a third rounder is not beyond reason.
Would a team like Houston give us their third for Ricky? How about Denver? Philadelphia? Minnesota? or San Francisco? Its possible if he shows flashes of what he used to be capable of.
The bottom line is this. Ronnie has shown too much talent to waste away behind the flaky and undependable Ricky Williams. And for a team with needs at every position EXCEPT running back, this will be a business decision that will be made. In much the same way as Patrick Surtain.
1. Saban knows that this team will be most successful with a workhorse (20-25 carries) and a guy to spell him at about 5-10 carries a game.
2. He knows that Ronnie Brown is a special player and that he will be an anchor of this team for the next 7-10 years.
3. He knows that he will not get near market value for Ricky Williams unless he features him.
4. He knows that the 2005 and 2006 Miami Dolphins are not Super Bowl caliber.
5. This is a 4-5 year building plan and Ricky will be 31 and declining in four years.
Based on this reasoning is it completely out of the question that Nick will rely on Ricky more and more as the season progresses, not because he is better than Ronnie, but because it is best for the 2007 Miami Dolphins.
Personally, I think that Miami has to keep Ricky unless they can get a first day pick. Now, I know a first rounder is out of the question. I also think a second rounder might be tough. But, I think a third rounder is not beyond reason.
Would a team like Houston give us their third for Ricky? How about Denver? Philadelphia? Minnesota? or San Francisco? Its possible if he shows flashes of what he used to be capable of.
The bottom line is this. Ronnie has shown too much talent to waste away behind the flaky and undependable Ricky Williams. And for a team with needs at every position EXCEPT running back, this will be a business decision that will be made. In much the same way as Patrick Surtain.
