Ricky Williams to Ravens

[Spider-Dan]

If one wants to disqualify him based on his drug problems, I understand that.  I don't agree with it, but I can see why.  However, I would just point out two things:

1) even with all the time that Ricky lost to drug-related problems, he has still made a huge impact on the Dolphin record books; the difference is really between him having most of the Dolphin rushing records (which he already does) and completely Marino'ing them

2) in context, Ricky's primary fault (smoking weed) is far less egregious than many of the things that other high-profile NFL players have done (DUI, manslaughter, sexual assault, dogfighting, domestic violence, etc.).  It seems silly to me that Ricky was suspended for a year over marijuana, but Leonard Little killed a woman while driving drunk and got half that, then was arrested for DWI again and served no suspension at all.  I mean, from a honor-and-morals standpoint, seriously... Ricky smoked weed.  He didn't hurt anyone, he wasn't firing a gun in a club or beating up his girlfriend or drowning dogs.

On a side note, I believe that drugs aside, Ricky would have been completely justified in retiring to get away from Wannstedt.  Wannstedt's complete singlemindedness would have turned Ricky into Earl Campbell and literally ruined his life.  I know football players are paid handsomely to be tough guys and all, but at some point a coach should take some responsibility for how a player is used.  I think (at the time) everyone on this board agreed that Wannstedt was being irresponsible in the extreme.

[bsmooth]

From a purely on field performance aspect, I think there should be a legitimate consideration for the Ring of Honor.

[MikeO]

In 9 seasons under contract with the Miami Dolphins, Ricky Williams had exactly 1 season with more than 1400 yards, and 2 with more than 1200.  He, however, has 5 seasons during which he had under 1000 yards rushing.  Add to that the fact that he "retired" for 2004 and was suspended during 2006 and had 6 whole carries in 2007 (for a whopping total of 174 carries between 2003 and 2008), I say no.

He had 1 brilliant season, and 2 "pedestrian" seasons, AND THAT'S IT.  That, combined with a bunch of antics and hardship and turmoil, means he does not deserve to be in the Ring of Honor.

EXACTLY!!!!!!! Thank you!

[MikeO]

And if asked I would also say czonka doesn't deserve RoH either. But he does have an undefeated season going for him as well as two rings.

He was a super bowl MVP, a hall of fame player, and one of the best FB's in the history of the sport. And you don't want him in the Ring Of Hononr? You are joking right??

[Fau Teixeira]

And right in the middle of the most productive time of his career he bolted and went to play for a different team/league.

He was out injured most of 68 and 69. So what you have is a guy that played spectacular football behind multiple hall of fame lineman for 4 admittedly very productive years.

I don't see that as RoH worthy. Th football hall of fame is different. In addition to being on the 72 team and being the 73 super bowl MVP, he was a huge figure in popular culture at the time and also got numbers for playing for the giants and in the wfl.

[MaineDolFan]

look at the dolphins record books, and he is the second most successful running back in the history of the franchise. we're talking in 40+ years, and in the era of a significant focus on passing games.

This quote is what troubles me. 

Miami hasn't exactly been known as a power running team.  Dan Marino's entire career saw, what?  One rusher at 1,000 yards?  And that cat still didn't average 4.0 yards per carry to do it.

"The second best back in Dolphins history."  A history that includes the following:

Delvin Williams
Tony Nathan
Andra Franklin
Woody Bennett
Lorenzo Hampton
Troy Stradford
Sammie Smith
Mark Higgs
Bernie Parmalee
Karim Abdul-Jabbar
Lamar Smith
J.J. Johnson
Sammie Morris
Ronnie Brown

I mean, really...Mercury Morris & Larry Csonka this team never really had a back that is / was anything to write home about.

It's like saying "Jay Fiedler is the most successful Dolphin QB since Dan Marino."  Yay.

Ricky was a beast for a specific amount of time.  Unstoppable one year.  I don't believe that he would deserve a Ring of Honor based on on field performance.  I really don't.  He looks good compared to a list of guys currently managing Denny's, or a car wash, in southern Texas.  He also was a beast for a coach that knew three plays: Screen pass, run off right tackle, run off left tackle.

He was good, not great.

[dolfan13]

wow, fans are ruthless in terms of how they throw rocks at players for the silliest of things. if the "character" issue were turned around at us, we would all be hung from trees.

you ever hear that interview that lebetard did with csonka? the guy is the biggest douche bag, arrogant, ass i had ever heard on the radio.

here is what ricky said to the fans yesterday:

"Well, I just want to say it's been an amazing ride and apologize for any hearts that I broke, and hopefully I was able to mend that these last couple of years. ... The fans deserve a good team, and I just hope that they get that."

he came back, did his job, never complained, was great in the locker room, never got in trouble, and was still our best running back at an age when most running backs are working at denny's. folks make mistakes, but not the fans of the miami dolphins. im not sure i agree with ricky's last statement. i really think the fans of this team have got what we all have deserved for the past 13 years and counting.

[jtex316]

I have a special place in my heart for Lamar Smith. I saw, live and in-person, his 40 carry 200+ yard game to beat Jim Mora's Indianapolis Colts to keep the "Jim Mora has never won a playoff game" streak alive.

Larry Csonka is also a former New York Giant.

Ricky Williams for me is at least the third or fourth meaningful RB in the Dolphins History.

You can make an argument that any of the following RBs are more "Ring of Honor" worth than Ricky:

1. Larry Csonka
2. Jim Kiick
3. Mercury Morris
4. Reggie Bush

[Phishfan]

He is, at worst, the second-most productive running back in Miami history.  He deserves to be up there.

That isn't really a glowing endorsement given some of our RB history, but it does make sense.

[Phishfan]

- most rush attempts, careerIncorrect

But you were right on the rest. Hard to argue against him based on performance.

[dolfan13]

^^^ i think that has more to do with how hard it is to find consistent, productive, long lasting running backs in this league.

you won't see another rb as productive as ricky in a dolphins uni for generations to come.

[Phishfan]

And if asked I would also say czonka doesn't deserve RoH either. But he does have an undefeated season going for him as well as two rings.

This may be one of the most outrageous things I have ever seen. Csonka is a hall of famer and was a fullback, not a tailback so you are comparing apples and oranges by looking at stats. He is most definitely RoH and HoF worthy.

[Thundergod]

wow, fans are ruthless in terms of how they throw rocks at players for the silliest of things. if the "character" issue were turned around at us, we would all be hung from trees.

you ever hear that interview that lebetard did with csonka? the guy is the biggest douche bag, arrogant, ass i had ever heard on the radio.

here is what ricky said to the fans yesterday:

"Well, I just want to say it's been an amazing ride and apologize for any hearts that I broke, and hopefully I was able to mend that these last couple of years. ... The fans deserve a good team, and I just hope that they get that."

he came back, did his job, never complained, was great in the locker room, never got in trouble, and was still our best running back at an age when most running backs are working at denny's. folks make mistakes, but not the fans of the miami dolphins. im not sure i agree with ricky's last statement. i really think the fans of this team have got what we all have deserved for the past 13 years and counting.

Well said sir. Well said.

[JVides]

If I had a vote, I would say no, only because I'd lump Ricky in with a few other good to great Dolphins players who may deserve inclusion in the ring but likely won't get in, whether it be because their careers were cut short by injury or never quite stacked up to expectations:
- O.J. McDuffie - 8 years, the middle 4 of them very solid before a toe injury severely limited him and brought on retirement at 31.  Good player, beloved by the fans, ultimately not quite good enough to get in.
- Keith Sims - 11 years (8 in Miami), 3 pro bowls, considered (as I remember) a possible Hall of Fame-type when at his best with Richmond Webb (also considered a HOF possibility at one point).  Ultimately overshadowed by Webb (who is in the ring).
- John Offerdahl - 8 years, 5 Pro Bowls in first 5 seasons, definite HOF talk before an abdominal injury curtailed his career.  The defense was a different animal when he played, but looked soft when he missed time his last 3 years.
- Tim Bowens - 11 years, 3 Pro Bowls.  Monster player, beloved by fans, never quite elite.  To hear Zach Thomas tell it, he and Darryl Gardner made his life oh-so easier as a MLB. 

Ultimately, I think Ricky winds up like Offerdahl.  We'll remember how great he was, but also remember the wasted years.  If he gets in, he'll need to wait for the likes of Zach Thomas, Jason Taylor, and possibly Sam Madison and/or Patrick Surtain to get in before he gets a call.  That's how I feel, anyway.

[Sunstroke]

...you won't see another rb as productive as ricky in a dolphins uni for generations to come.

I hope we both hang out on this board long enough for us to laugh at that prediction together... I'll go the opposite direction, and say that, 10 years from now, a RB who has yet to gain his first yard for Miami will be considered a more worthy RB for the Ring o' Honor.