RICKY WILLIAMS
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Miami's Williams returns to practice; 'good to go'
By EDGAR THOMPSON
The Palm Beach Post
Published on: 11/21/07
Davie, Fla. — Much has happened since running back Ricky Williams last walked onto the Dolphins practice field nearly two years ago.
One thing hasn't changed.
"He didn't look very rusty, did he? Not to me," offensive tackle L.J. Shelton said with a hint of amazement in his voice. "To come back from a layoff like that and look like he belonged is a credit to him."
Wearing his familiar No. 34 jersey and running with the ease and effectiveness of a one-time NFL rushing leader, Williams practiced Wednesday for the first time since the team welcomed him back from an 18-month suspension for violation the NFL's substance abuse policy.
Williams, 30, has played in only 12 NFL games since 2003 and practiced once since his return, but teammates said he looks like he'll be able to ignite the 0-10 Dolphins as soon as he's given a chance.
"He can come out there and do what he wants," rookie wide receiver Ted Gin Jr. said. "It didn't look like he lost a step at all."
The timetable for Williams' first NFL game action since Dec. 31, 2005, remains undecided. But with Monday's visit to Pittsburgh five days away, starter Jesse Chatman limped through practice with a sprained left ankle suffered during last Sunday's loss at Philadelphia.
"I'm not going to sit out," Chatman said. "It's 'Monday Night Football.' Are you crazy?"
But with only a few days of practice, Williams could have a more immediate role than anticipated when the team welcomed him back last Thursday, a day after the league reinstated him.
Williams and coach Cam Cameron repeated the phrase "one day at a time" or a variation of it on Wednesday, with Williams using the expression four times in a short interview.
"I'm not really anticipating anything, other than that is a window we have," Cameron said. "Truly, it's going to be day-to-day. I think that's what is best for our team. I think that's what is best for him."
Williams said whether he'll be ready to play Monday against the Steelers' NFL-leading defense would hinge on his conditioning and ability to pick up the playbook. Williams pointed out that Cameron's offense is similar to the one coached by Norv Turner, the Dolphins offensive coordinator when Williams totaled 3,225 rushing yards in 2002 and 2003.
"I don't have the experience of coming in and then playing in a week," Williams said. "I'm sure how I feel tomorrow will be important to going forward.
"I'll probably be a little sore. To me, it's kind of like training camp."
But unlike most players, Williams might not need a week or two of training camp before he's game ready.
"Rick's not a normal person," linebacker Channing Crowder said. "He's been an All-Pro running back before, I don't think you lose that in a year or so.
"I'm excited to see him with the ball in his hands. I hope they give it to him."
Williams said his seamless return to the field has amazed even himself. The last time he played was July 22, 2006, when he broke his left forearm in the 11th game of a one-year stint with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League.
"I haven't played football in a year," Williams said. "To get on the field and feel it all come back so quickly is a little bit surprising."
With Chatman banged up, Williams carried the ball quite a bit Wednesday.
Gin and rookie running back Lorenzo Booker each said he found himself at times watching Williams in awe.
"He's good to go," Booker said. "People are going to be surprised."
Williams seemed to appreciate the positive feedback from teammates.
"It's nice to get in there and feel like you're in a part of the team," Williams said.
Not too long ago, Williams was the bane of the Dolphins locker room. With the offensive game plan built around his skills, Williams abruptly retired before the 2004 season, during which the team went 4-12 and coach Dave Wannstedt resigned after nine games.
Williams returned in 2005 and rushed for 743 yards and six touchdowns while sharing carries with rookie Ronnie Brown. But in February, the league suspended Williams for violating its drug policy for the fourth time.
"It hasn't been the cold shoulder at all. It's been rather warm," Williams said of his reception. "It feels pretty nice."
Williams' interaction with the media was friendly, with a few light moments.
Asked if he'd braced for all the attention, Williams replied, "Attention? What attention?" as reporters crowded around his locker.
The spotlight will only intensify when Williams is back on the field. Until then, Williams is focused on getting back in shape and earning back the trust of his teammates.
"He's mingling and talking with everybody," wide receiver Marty Booker said. "Everyone is just trying to feel their way right now.
"But we expect him to get in there and do what Ricky does."
By EDGAR THOMPSON
The Palm Beach Post
Published on: 11/21/07
Davie, Fla. — Much has happened since running back Ricky Williams last walked onto the Dolphins practice field nearly two years ago.
One thing hasn't changed.
"He didn't look very rusty, did he? Not to me," offensive tackle L.J. Shelton said with a hint of amazement in his voice. "To come back from a layoff like that and look like he belonged is a credit to him."
Wearing his familiar No. 34 jersey and running with the ease and effectiveness of a one-time NFL rushing leader, Williams practiced Wednesday for the first time since the team welcomed him back from an 18-month suspension for violation the NFL's substance abuse policy.
Williams, 30, has played in only 12 NFL games since 2003 and practiced once since his return, but teammates said he looks like he'll be able to ignite the 0-10 Dolphins as soon as he's given a chance.
"He can come out there and do what he wants," rookie wide receiver Ted Gin Jr. said. "It didn't look like he lost a step at all."
The timetable for Williams' first NFL game action since Dec. 31, 2005, remains undecided. But with Monday's visit to Pittsburgh five days away, starter Jesse Chatman limped through practice with a sprained left ankle suffered during last Sunday's loss at Philadelphia.
"I'm not going to sit out," Chatman said. "It's 'Monday Night Football.' Are you crazy?"
But with only a few days of practice, Williams could have a more immediate role than anticipated when the team welcomed him back last Thursday, a day after the league reinstated him.
Williams and coach Cam Cameron repeated the phrase "one day at a time" or a variation of it on Wednesday, with Williams using the expression four times in a short interview.
"I'm not really anticipating anything, other than that is a window we have," Cameron said. "Truly, it's going to be day-to-day. I think that's what is best for our team. I think that's what is best for him."
Williams said whether he'll be ready to play Monday against the Steelers' NFL-leading defense would hinge on his conditioning and ability to pick up the playbook. Williams pointed out that Cameron's offense is similar to the one coached by Norv Turner, the Dolphins offensive coordinator when Williams totaled 3,225 rushing yards in 2002 and 2003.
"I don't have the experience of coming in and then playing in a week," Williams said. "I'm sure how I feel tomorrow will be important to going forward.
"I'll probably be a little sore. To me, it's kind of like training camp."
But unlike most players, Williams might not need a week or two of training camp before he's game ready.
"Rick's not a normal person," linebacker Channing Crowder said. "He's been an All-Pro running back before, I don't think you lose that in a year or so.
"I'm excited to see him with the ball in his hands. I hope they give it to him."
Williams said his seamless return to the field has amazed even himself. The last time he played was July 22, 2006, when he broke his left forearm in the 11th game of a one-year stint with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League.
"I haven't played football in a year," Williams said. "To get on the field and feel it all come back so quickly is a little bit surprising."
With Chatman banged up, Williams carried the ball quite a bit Wednesday.
Gin and rookie running back Lorenzo Booker each said he found himself at times watching Williams in awe.
"He's good to go," Booker said. "People are going to be surprised."
Williams seemed to appreciate the positive feedback from teammates.
"It's nice to get in there and feel like you're in a part of the team," Williams said.
Not too long ago, Williams was the bane of the Dolphins locker room. With the offensive game plan built around his skills, Williams abruptly retired before the 2004 season, during which the team went 4-12 and coach Dave Wannstedt resigned after nine games.
Williams returned in 2005 and rushed for 743 yards and six touchdowns while sharing carries with rookie Ronnie Brown. But in February, the league suspended Williams for violating its drug policy for the fourth time.
"It hasn't been the cold shoulder at all. It's been rather warm," Williams said of his reception. "It feels pretty nice."
Williams' interaction with the media was friendly, with a few light moments.
Asked if he'd braced for all the attention, Williams replied, "Attention? What attention?" as reporters crowded around his locker.
The spotlight will only intensify when Williams is back on the field. Until then, Williams is focused on getting back in shape and earning back the trust of his teammates.
"He's mingling and talking with everybody," wide receiver Marty Booker said. "Everyone is just trying to feel their way right now.
"But we expect him to get in there and do what Ricky does."
