Lovable Loser? or Just Laughable?

Is Ricky Williams just that simple lovable loser or is his return just plain laughable?  Whatever your answer is, he is back, for now, and starts playing for the Miami Dolphins on Monday.

Ricky is one of those rare breeds of individuals that you just can’t help but in some small way like.  Make no mistake, Ricky is a loser, a 5 time loser.  Anyone, man or woman, who chooses to smoke dope or any other drug, or for that matter any other illegal activity, instead of taking care of his family is a loser.  Argue it all you want, debate the legality issues of Pot until your blue in the face, that person is still a loser.  Your family, above all else, should always come first.  Apparently, that fact has finally etched itself into Ricky Williams’ brain, maybe.

Ricky, is an even rarer talent on the football field.  He is that mix of speed burst and hard hitting that few players have, let alone teams, even with two running backs.  When Ricky touches the ball, he could be gone in a second.  It is why so many fans who have watched this talent struggle with his life, repeatedly give him another chance, even after saying the last one was the final one.

The hardest critics, such as myself, still find a way to like the guy.  Even as a man off the field.  That is the type of person Ricky Williams is. He is a lovable loser.

Ricky spoke with the south Florida press yesterday for the first time in 18 months and he spoke of his desire and need to return to football.  He spoke of self-committment, he spoke of his family, his full circle maturity.  More importantly, he finally admitted to everyone else, in not so many words, that money is one of the reasons that he has returned.  Honesty.

“…the need to take care of my family and football came together and it made for a good fit.”  That is not taken out of context and the words prior to that line was nothing that would influence it otherwise.  Money is an issue.  Ricky is not back solely for the love of the game, Ricky is back because he needs to take care of his family.  It’s what losers often fail to do.  That, I can respect him for.

Make no mistake, I have never questioned the talent or his ability.  I question is committment, desire, and drive.  I question the team for their faith in a man who continually proves he can not be relied upon.  As a fan, some would say that I should be more relaxed, be a fan and realize that it means nothing to me personally.  They of course would be right.  However, as a fan, it is my right to choose.

I supported Dave Wannstedt, for 3 years too long, when he finally failed for good, I was one of those leading the Email brigade to Eddie Jones and Wayne Huizenga.  When Ricky walked away, I thanked him for taking Wannstedt with him.  Since the start of the 2004 season, Ricky Williams’ name has surfaced at some time during the season and again in the offseason.  Every single time it is because of a failed drug test or a reinstatement from one.  Ricky and the word suspension are always in the same sentence.

Some fans will say this is the perfect scenario for John Beck as the focus this week has been on Ricky.  Hardly fair to a respectable family man who finally gets his first start in the NFL.  John Beck deserves that pressure, he deserves the debates.  Like a man, he will sit back and do his job, prepare, and do it without so much as a single sound bite….sans one.  “I never played with Ricky, but if he can help this team win, then I’m all for it.”  He has not said that, but that is exactly what he would say, or will say, when asked.

Ricky is back, there is nothing to do now but watch and hope that the last 18 months has refreshed his legs and relaxed him enough to go and play like he is capable of playing.  Ricky is a very good football player who will never be a great football player.  Ideally, he shows he still has the moves, he still has the speed, and in this off-season, some team sends a draft pick to Miami for his services.  Most would agree, that is not likely.  Not yet.  Ricky has two years left on a contract that has been in limbo for quite awhile, his first contract should have been up 2 years ago.  He will be cheap, but if Miami relies upon him to win games, they are relying on a man who just can’t be trusted.

With some luck, Ricky will go out there and provide enough to get a few wins this season.  Keep Miami off the basement floor.  With a little more luck, maybe Ricky gets the Phins another draft pick and an end to this black cloud will come to a close.

No matter what happens, we will hear plenty from a man that does not like talking to the media.  The media just loves him.  I suppose in some sort of small way, in the back of everyones head, we all do.  It really is hard not to.  Listen to him talk one time and you still find yourself trying not to smile, your mind races to one of his foot races, ball held high in his hand as he runs into the endzone.  Ricky was never a showboat.  He never will be.  He is a softspoken, lighthearted man, who has a problem.  Unfortunately, his problem affects a lot more than just himself, or his team, or that teams’ fans, it affects his family.  For their sake, once again, I hope this time, the 6th time, he gets it right.