Its only preseason?

[Frimp]

Ricky Williams has slow start in CFL   

NFL.com wire reports 

TORONTO (June 3, 2006) -- Ricky Williams looked less like an NFL rushing champion and every bit like a running back less than a week into training camp with a new team.

The former Miami Dolphins star was held to just 7 yards on four carries in his first CFL game June 2 as the Hamilton Tiger-Cats defeated the Toronto Argonauts 31-3 in the exhibition opener for both clubs.

"The biggest thing was to see the game, to see the speed of the game and get a feel of what's going to be expected of me," Williams said. "It's hard to do it in a meeting room or the practice field but when you come out here at game speed you have a better idea.

"I did a decent job on pass protection. Obviously I didn't have that many yards running the ball but I felt pretty good about my performance. It felt good, it felt natural. I wasn't nervous, I felt comfortable with the offense."

The game capped a whirlwind week for Williams, who signed a one-year deal with Toronto on May 28.

Williams had been suspended for the 2005 season by the NFL following a fourth violation of the league's substance abuse program.

Williams, a four-time 1,000-yard rusher in the NFL, had just four practices to get acclimated with Canadian football, yet, judging by the hundreds of Miami jerseys featuring Williams' No. 34 present at Rogers Centre, it was clear who many had come to see.

But they had to wait, as veteran John Avery started at tailback. A loud ovation erupted midway through the first when Williams, who is wearing No. 27 with Toronto, was shown on the Jumbotron patiently waiting his turn.

Williams quietly slipped into the game with 5 seconds left in the first and the Argos at their 35-yard line trailing 14-0. Predictably, Williams got the ball on his first play from scrimmage, resulting in a 2-yard gain, but it wasn't until the PA announcer called Williams as the ball carrier that the Heisman Trophy winner received a rousing ovation.

"It's hard to tell with just one quarter of play but they came ready to play," Williams said when asked about the level of competition in the CFL. "It's a team sport and one player isn't going to make much of a difference unless he's able to help everyone else raise their level of play and match the opponents' intensity."

But Williams liked being able to go into motion before the snap, something he has never been able to do in the NFL.

"It's fun because you get a head start on the defense and they don't know where you're going," he said. "It's just learning the game so you can take advantage of it more and I'm sure that will come."

Argos head coach Mike (Pinball) Clemons wasn't surprised with Williams' rushing numbers in his first CFL game.

"It's about what I expected," said Clemons, a former Argos running back. "With a running back like him it's not his first three, four or five touches in a game that are going to make the difference, it's the 10 in the fourth quarter when they wear you down that's going to be the difference for him.

"I think it's good he struggled ... because it's going to let him know to be successful in this league he's going to have to work maybe the hardest he has ever worked to this point in his career."

Fans got a rise out of a vignette in the second that made fun of former Toronto quarterback Joe Theismann's condemnation of the club's signing Williams.

On May 30, Theismann called the move a "feeble excuse" by Toronto to sell tickets, lashed out at Williams and said he was ashamed to have worn the club's old A emblem on his helmet.

During a stoppage in play, a video ran on the Jumbotron showing Theismann wearing a helmet with the A emblem. Suddenly, a giant pencil appeared and rubbed out the A, after which the worlds "Happy Now Joe" appeared, again drawing solid applause.

Ticats coach Greg Marshall downplayed suggestions Williams' presence provided extra motivation for his defense.

"Anytime we play the Argos we don't need any extra motivation," he said. "Personally, I didn't even know when Ricky was in the football game.

"I don't know if our defense was even aware."

http://www.nfl.com/teams/story/MIA/9477455

[Dave Gray]

I think this is no news.  Ricky did the same thing here....remember in preseason when he had a couple of carries for a coulpe of yards.

We should all know by now that Ricky gets better as the game goes on and he accumulates carries and starts breaking free later in the game.  He doesn't seem to tire down the stretch like the defenders playing against him.  These guys he's playing against probably aren't as conditioned to last over the course of full games and seasons like he is.  They are probably all super-pumped to get a chance to put their first hit on a Heisman Trophey winner, but over the long haul, Ricky should be an absolute beast.

[pintofguinness14]

Assuming he's not high during the games, Ricky will dominate the CFL.  Weed not withstanding, he's got the talent to start on almost any team in the NFL.  Now take that talent and drop in the middle of a league full of not-ready-for-prime-time-players.  It's going to be ugly.

[YoFuggedaboutit]

Assuming he's not high during the games, Ricky will dominate the CFL.  Weed not withstanding, he's got the talent to start on almost any team in the NFL.  Now take that talent and drop in the middle of a league full of not-ready-for-prime-time-players.  It's going to be ugly.

What could end up being ugly is if someone is jealous of him and tries to take out his knees as a result. 

[CdnDolfan]

The poor production had almost nothing to do with Ricky and/or his "rustiness" and everything to do with the o-line.  They couldn't pass block or run block.  Guys were in the backfield before Ricky/John Avery/Who-Dat RB could even get to the line of scrimmage.  The only rushing came from the QBs. 

On Ricky's pass blocking.  Ricky saved Damon Allen from being road-kill at least three times, the guy's instincts were definitely there.  Ricky was only in the game for like 10 plays (last part of the first and most of the second, and there's only 3 downs in the CFL).

I actually don't think Ricky can tear up the CFL this season.  The o-line is just too inane.  He probably should have done a little bit of research before signing with the Argos, its going to be like the 2003/2004 campaign all over again... only I actually think the o-line for Miami that year was better than the Argos current starters. 

[Phishfan]

I heard Avery averaged over 5 yards per carry, but he only had 4 carries. Typical preseason stuff.

[CF DolFan]

If Ricky was in only a few plays ... doesn't it seem logical the whole defense would key on him?  I'm sure no one is worried by this. No one who matters anyway! 

[run_to_win]

Guys were in the backfield before Ricky/John Avery/Who-Dat RB could even get to the line of scrimmage. 

That gives me flashbacks to Lamar Smith's last season here.