SCall13
Finheaven QB
Bringing Williams back as trade bait makes no sense. It's obvious that trading him will be very difficult - given the circumstances. Like a few other people brought up: Indy and Seattle could do nothing with James or Alexander, so what value could Williams have over them? The only way we get anything reasonable in a trade for Williams is if he played 2, maybe even 3 years at a high level and proved he was commited to playing football again. Even then, getting a 3rd for him would be a stretch. Because in 2 or 3 years, he'll be older (obviously) had more punishment and took more beating, and Ronnie Brown will have already shown his value to the team. Assuming Brown plays well this season and next, what would make a team give up a high draft pick for a player (Ricky) that we would theoretically not even need? Not going to happen.
Having said all that, I think it's clear what Saban wants out of Ricky: A very good - maybe even still great - RB who can splits carries with Ronnie, dominate the ground game, wear out defenses, open up the passing game, allow for more options, give Brown time to work his body into the rigors of a 16 game NFL season after splitting carries in college, etc.
If anyone thinks Saban has intentions of trading Williams this year, you are dreaming. There is no way it will happen. And given the comment Ricky made about only playing two more years, then trading him after NEXT season probably won't happen either. So whether you like Williams or not, want him back or not - if he does in fact come back, he will almost certainly be playing for the Miami Dolphins.
Having said all that, I think it's clear what Saban wants out of Ricky: A very good - maybe even still great - RB who can splits carries with Ronnie, dominate the ground game, wear out defenses, open up the passing game, allow for more options, give Brown time to work his body into the rigors of a 16 game NFL season after splitting carries in college, etc.
If anyone thinks Saban has intentions of trading Williams this year, you are dreaming. There is no way it will happen. And given the comment Ricky made about only playing two more years, then trading him after NEXT season probably won't happen either. So whether you like Williams or not, want him back or not - if he does in fact come back, he will almost certainly be playing for the Miami Dolphins.