It is Great to Have Ricky Williams

With LaDaninian Tomlinson being released by the San Diego Charges after 9 years with the team it got me thinking how great it is to see Ricky Williams still being able to run hard. Nowadays when running backs reach the 30 year old plateau it seems like their careers are downhill or maybe even over. Many people believe that LaDaninian won’t find a team soon and some say that he won’t find a team unless there is an injury to the running back position. Then there is Ricky, who claims this is his last year in the league, who is running as hard as he was in his prime and for the age of 32 still looks like he has a lot left. Yes I know he semi-retired in 2004 and walked out on the dolphins and then was suspended for the entire 2006 season after testing positive for an illegal substance for the 4th time but he still has skill. People may say that his legs are fresher and he doesn’t have as much ware and tear as LaDaninian Tomlinson does but Ricky ran for over 1000 yards for the first time since 2003 where LT ran for under 1000 yards for the first time in his career.

Ricky did great this year to take over most of the load when Ronnie Brown went down week 10 vs. Tampa Bay with an ankle injury and was put on injured reserve. It’s amazing to think about it especially in the last 2 years Ricky only had 674 yards rushing combined and he got close to double that in 2009. Ricky had 4.7 yards per carry average in 2009 and that is the second best average in his career. His best came in that amazing 2002 season where he had 4.8 yards per carry. In 2002 he also finished with 1853 on 383 attempts and ran for an outstanding 89 first downs. Ricky also had his longest run in his career against the Saints that went for 68 yards and a Touchdown. Another way Ricky helped was in our passing game where he finished with the 6th most receiving yards on the team and 4th with most receptions on the team. His 2 receiving touchdowns in 2009 were the most in his career as well.

Even though he walked out on this team back in 2004 and somewhat crippled our franchise with all the draft picks we invested in him, it’s a pleasure to see him back running with authority and still being a playmaking running back behind Ronnie Brown. In 2010 it is going to be sensational to see him behind Brown and get this offense on a roll to hopefully lead the Dolphins to the playoffs. I wish Ricky the best of luck in 2010, his future after football and hope he brings a championship back to Miami where he can then retire on top.