Ricky - How effective will he really be?

[dolfan19]

Ok, don't get me wrong...I'm not for, nor against, Ricky returning. The way I see it, if his teammates forgive him (and they're the guys in the locker room with him), then I can live with him on the team. Hey, anything to put a damper on Jets' and Patriots' Sundays.

But from what I've read, Ricky is severely under his ideal playing weight. I mean, 40 pounds of muscle won't come back overnight. And that was a big part of who he is - his size, and his ability to use it to batter his opponents. It was a riot watching how tired defenders got as the game went on, and how he would just punish them with a shoulder when they got in the way. How long do you guys think it would take him to get to where he is legitimately a threat again? He's most likely going to have an extra 4 weeks, so maybe by the time he returns from suspension?

And yes, I understand - that's IF he returns... Just wanted your thoughts!

 

[painnotpleasure]

It's more like 20-25lbs of muscle that he needs to gain, and he has about 20 weeks to do so. So even if he gains one pound of muscle a week, it would be a enough. I don't think gaining the muscle back is going to be a big problem. I also am not for or against Ricky but neutral and want what's best for the team whatever that may be. And I agree with you if his teammates can forgive him, I slowly can too.

It's realistic to think that Ricky will not be like he was in 2002 for us this season, that's a given but I think he can still be used effectively. The biggest concerns on my mind right now is his mental health, his attitude, and him being able to pass drug tests. I don't want him back on this team UNLESS he's turn over a new leaf... shows he is hard working, loyal, wants to play for this team, shows he can be trusted (and yes trust be gained back but IT SURE AS HELL is going to near impossible for him), shows he is more mature and more responsbile. Those are the biggest question marks in my mind right now... if he can somehow pull that off, I think he will still be productive on the field serving as a back-up and/or splitting carries with Ronnie Brown. Another concern of mine is salary, but if we can restructure his contract to Vet MIN, that won't be a problem.

The key thing is his mental health... if that cannot be solved or improved upon, he won't be any good to this team whatsoever. I'm hoping for the best for this team whatever that may be.

 

[MelbournePhin]

most of a rickys size was in his lower body. working out and training hard can easily put back on lower body weight very easily

 

[GreenMonster]

8 carries a games at 4.0 avg is fine with me.. I would be excited..

 

[King Nate]

I hope he'll be effective in helping Ronnie be effective.

 

[Krush]

My guess if he comes back we're going to see both backs gain at least 1000 yards a piece, look ronnie is the team security blanket, whatever ricky gives to the team will be a plus for the team and pain for the opponents.

 

[FinsAreLife]

by training camp, if he is working out till then the way he is now i say the guy gets up to 220 lb..........as for being affective i think it will happen about half way through the season

 

[SCall13]

Ricky Williams will be back to his playing weight of 225- 230 easily before he starts to play. He has plenty of time to reach that weight. As far as his everything else, he'll get the rust off in camp (which he'll be allowed to attend after July 7th) I can't wait to see the R & R express running over defenses and wearing them out.

 

[LarryFinFan]

Ok, don't get me wrong...I'm not for, nor against, Ricky returning. The way I see it, if his teammates forgive him (and they're the guys in the locker room with him), then I can live with him on the team. Hey, anything to put a damper on Jets' and Patriots' Sundays.

But from what I've read, Ricky is severely under his ideal playing weight. I mean, 40 pounds of muscle won't come back overnight. And that was a big part of who he is - his size, and his ability to use it to batter his opponents. It was a riot watching how tired defenders got as the game went on, and how he would just punish them with a shoulder when they got in the way. How long do you guys think it would take him to get to where he is legitimately a threat again? He's most likely going to have an extra 4 weeks, so maybe by the time he returns from suspension?

And yes, I understand - that's IF he returns... Just wanted your thoughts!

I've said this before, but it'll take the bulk of the season for us to see the old RW on a consistent basis. Building up his muscle mass is NOT that easy as some make it sound...But even then, converting his body into "football shape" will also take time. If everything goes well, he'll spend TC and the susp, getting back into playing shape and have to be spoon fed back into the offense, building up his number of plays until he is ready...The big concern with someone who has been completely out of ball is injury..if he tries to return too quickly, it'll bite him. If he gets in a game and overexerts himself on a play...it'll bite him...but IF all goes well, he could be a major contributor later in the season.

That leads me to another thought...RW doesn't really fit into the type of back that Saban/Linehan is looking for...it means to me that IF he can successfully return, he'll be trade bait in the next offseason...KJ, Gordon, and Brown are all very much alike in size and type of back. Morris and Minor could be the odd men out...

 

[SCall13]

I've said this before, but it'll take the bulk of the season for us to see the old RW on a consistent basis. Building up his muscle mass is NOT that easy as some make it sound...But even then, converting his body into "football shape" will also take time. If everything goes well, he'll spend TC and the susp, getting back into playing shape and have to be spoon fed back into the offense, building up his number of plays until he is ready...The big concern with someone who has been completely out of ball is injury..if he tries to return too quickly, it'll bite him. If he gets in a game and overexerts himself on a play...it'll bite him...but IF all goes well, he could be a major contributor later in the season.

That leads me to another thought...RW doesn't really fit into the type of back that Saban/Linehan is looking for...it means to me that IF he can successfully return, he'll be trade bait in the next offseason...KJ, Gordon, and Brown are all very much alike in size and type of back. Morris and Minor could be the odd men out...

Ricky Williams is not the type of back that Saban/Linehan are looking for but Ronnie, Gordon, and Harris are? They are all very similar backs as far as size and speed. And they can all catch the ball well. They are all at least good blockers. What exactly makes the other three different from RW? Your comment makes no sense.

 

[Vector1Dolphins]

Seems to me Ricky said he has like 4000 yrds left in him. so as far as trade bait for next season doesn't seem to real to me. I don't think other teams will trade much for a back that only seems to want to play one more year. That's if he really does come back this seasonl.