Saban: Williams 'very interested' in returning
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Associated Press
Posted: 28 minutes ago
DAVIE, Fla. (AP) - Ricky Williams is discussing a comeback with the Miami Dolphins, coach Nick Saban said Thursday.
Saban acknowledged holding recent discussions with Williams, whose sudden retirement stunned the Dolphins shortly before training camp began last season. He would not divulge specifics of the talks, but has long said that he was open to the prospect of Williams returning.
Williams rushed for 3,225 yards and 25 touchdowns in his two seasons with the Dolphins.
"Ricky still seems to be very, very interested in coming back," Saban said. "As I've said before, the things that we discuss, we've decided not to talk about publicly. I think that I can safely say that you all know about his situation as I do."
Leigh Steinberg, Williams' agent, didn't immediately return a phone message seeking comment.
Williams, who led the NFL in rushing in 2002, still owes the Dolphins $8.6 million for breaching his contract by unexpectedly retiring.
He also entered into a settlement last month with a former South Florida woman, agreeing to pay $4,200 per month in support and establish a $300,000 trust fund for a child he fathered.
After quitting the Dolphins, the former Heisman Trophy winner later acknowledged that he failed drug tests and faced a suspension for testing positive three times for marijuana.
"There are issues that need to be worked through," Saban said. "We're all in the process of evaluating those issues before it is resolved."
If Williams returns, he'd likely have to wait until July to un-retire. Otherwise, he would face a one-year suspension for his violations of the NFL's substance-abuse program. Williams will still face a four-game suspension for failing a third drug test for marijuana last July, just before he retired.
Plus, the Dolphins used the No. 2 overall pick in last month's draft on another running back, Ronnie Brown of Auburn.
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The Miami Dolphins are my favorite team, I am a die hard fan...but them ****'s better NOT sign that nig back. He let us down so bad and we suffered this past season...
F*** Ricky Williams, he has no love for the game, he plays it just because he can, I rather have R. Brown in the backfield, Someone that will play they hearts out than Ricky
I think that it's moreso the case of "These young boys don't know what they doing, so let me show them up". Personally, I don't care if he were to come back to the league, a few teams could use him. But, I think that it was rather immature to just think that he was that good that he could just up and retire. He needs to see a therapist and let them clear him first, then he can come back to the league. That man is CRAZY!
f**k that, i wouldn't want him on my team... nobody's gonna want him... he better go to the CFL or something...
:lol:
Onterrio smith has been gettin clowned by sports writers so hard. But ricky won't be on the dolphins for long if he goes back and a select few teams will want him.
athletes like ricky make me sick... he chose mary jane over a game...no, the LIFE that many sacrifice their bodies for, regardless of what they earn salary-wise- theres no shout of a doubt that this man is a gifted athlete and has the potential to make a super bowl team out of a winless one. but his actions speak louder than his words when he left his family assed out RIGHT before the season.
i dont think the NFL should take the "prodigal son" approach and let him back. he has NO heart for the game, and there are athletes out there that make base salary(which is still high as hell) and will gladly take twice as many blows to play the sport they love. keep him out, hell just be another T.O. distraction.
ricky if only u can read this... THE NFL DONT NEED YOU, and most of us dont want ya back...enjoy your retirement ya bastid... :x
I think he'll come back. Like someone previously mentioned, he owes the Dolphins millions and with at least one child, he'll have to make some money to provide. Highly unlikely he'll do that working at a steel mill. I seriously doubt he'd come back to the Dolphins though and if he did, it'd probably be a sign and trade deal.
it's almost official...he's enrolled in the NFL's drug program, meaning he can get tested as many as 10 times a month for ****...he's back in top shape...I'm just waiting on a formal announcement saying that he's been reinstated in tha NFL...
not to mention hes lost a helluva lot of weight- its gonna take him a minute 2 get back into playing shape- last time i checked he went down to 185 from what..230? **** weigh as much as me... ****send ME out to the Dolphins lol - but back 2 my original statement.... i cant stand ricky williams and i hope erryone in the AFC's defense hit the hell out of him :x
Well looks like we were right. If I've heard correctly he is supposed to be reinstated by the end of this month. It should be very interesting to watch how his teammates and the fans react, if he does re-sign with the Dolphins. They will probably boo the hell out of him :-D
One other thing. How will this affect Ronnie Brown? It doesn't seem likely that they would bench him and have him back up Williams, especially a player of his caliber who they spent their 2nd pick on.
Well looks like we were right. If I've heard correctly he is supposed to be reinstated by the end of this month. It should be very interesting to watch how his teammates and the fans react, if he does re-sign with the Dolphins. They will probably boo the hell out of him :-D
One other thing. How will this affect Ronnie Brown? It doesn't seem likely that they would bench him and have him back up Williams, especially a player of his caliber who they spent their 2nd pick on.
Well looks like we were right. If I've heard correctly he is supposed to be reinstated by the end of this month. It should be very interesting to watch how his teammates and the fans react, if he does re-sign with the Dolphins. They will probably boo the hell out of him :-D
One other thing. How will this affect Ronnie Brown? It doesn't seem likely that they would bench him and have him back up Williams, especially a player of his caliber who they spent their 2nd pick on.
he won't play... don't nobody want him...
The dolphins definitely won't be usin him more than just a backup even next year. They say he's at 215 now, working his way back to his playing weight at 225. He's already not playing this season for sure, and next season he probaly gone get traded or somethin. Right now there's so many good rb's in the league and next year there's only gone to be more after the draft class comes in and current rb's develop and show flashes. I think there MAY be a team or two that **** badly that will try him. The jags, chiefs, and seahawks are all possibilities for next season barring they don't jump on travis henry, edgerin james, stephen alexander or a prospect. In other words, it's gonna be slim chances for him.
