http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/3824732 -------------------------------- 'Regretful' Ricky apologizes to fans, Dolphins DAVIE, Fla. (AP) - With an apology to fans and teammates, running back Ricky Williams returned from retirement and joined the Miami Dolphins for their first training camp practice Monday. Lining up for his first play since the 2003 season, Williams took a handoff from Gus Frerotte and ran 20 yards to the end zone. But there was no defense on the field, and Williams is sure to meet stiffer resistance in the weeks to come as he tries to regain favor and reclaim a starting job. At a team meeting Sunday after players reported for camp, Williams spoke briefly and apologized for the impact caused by his retirement a year ago. The Dolphins went on to finish 4-12, their worst season since the 1960s. Williams reiterated his comments at a news conference after the first practice. "There were things about life that I wanted to explore outside of football, and I had never had the chance," he said. "I realize by making that decision, I affected the team in a negative way and upset a lot of fans. I'm very regretful that people were hurt in the process of me doing that. I do realize that to a lot of people it comes off as being very selfish. So I do offer an apology to all the people who were negatively impacted." Williams said he no longer smokes mar1juana but declined to discuss the subject further. He faces a four-game suspension at the start of the season for violating the NFL substance abuse policy. His apology seemed to satisfy teammates, including center Seth McKinney, who a year ago called him a quitter. "In the team meeting, he did what he had to do," McKinney said. "He's a man about it. We're all being men about it. Nobody is holding any grudges. We all want him back. He's a great player." Most fans attending practice shared that sentiment. Nearly a thousand turned out in humid, 85-degree sunshine, and when Williams ran toward the stands as a pass decoy they cheered, coaxing a grin from him. Williams smiled again later when he stepped to a lectern to answer questions from a cluster of reporters, never his favorite activity and something he hadn't done in 19 months. When asked why he decided to return to the NFL, Williams hesitated. "Why? Why? I don't know," he said, prompting snickers. "I've been away doing my own thing, studying a lot of alternate theories about life. To go into that answer - it can't be picked up in a sound byte or easily understood. So the best way I can think of to put it is that I'm back here to work." Williams' return overshadowed Nick Saban on the new coach's first day of camp. It was Saban who reached out to Williams in January, laying the groundwork for the running back's comeback. Saban acknowledged doubts about Williams' commitment. "Look, we're kind of in the risk-taking business," Saban said. "I've talked to the team about it. I think everybody is accepting of his ability and respectful of him as a competitor. I think everybody is anxious to see that he is committed and to evaluate his level of commitment." After leaving the Dolphins last July, Williams lived in a tent in Australia, studied holistic medicine at a California school and spent a month at a yoga center in India, becoming certified as an instructor. He lost 30 pounds on a vegetarian diet and took the field Monday at 213, well below his listed weight of 226 on the 2004 preseason roster. A court found the 1998 Heisman Trophy winner in breach of contract by retiring, and ordered him to repay the team $8.6 million. The Dolphins have not yet sought to collect the settlement. Because Williams sat out last season, he's due only the NFL minimum $540,000 this year. Agent Leigh Steinberg said financial issues related to Williams' return can be addressed later. "The first step, miraculously, is that Ricky's here," Steinberg said. "Let the healing process begin."
Is he going to change, no, but I agree with Saban giving him an opportunity to play again...Besides, I'm sure the Dolphins would rather him playing for them than another team...I think he'll rack up huge numbers this season...
I don't think this is a hard one to figure. Miami cornered his ass with the 8 million and his only way out was to play. That's the bottom line here. I personally don't like what Miami did. I understand it, but I just don't think the windfall from his leaving the team was worth billing him 8 million. The guy wanted out. I say let him go. Players come and go from the nfl all the time. Let him walk for free and peace out. Frustrating for the team. Yes. But I don't think you destroy a man's life over it. That said, it worked. He's back. I seriously doubt he wants to be playing tho'. I think he'll be rejuvenated and ready to play. May take a few weeks to get back his mind set but it comes back quickly in my opinion. Miami still needs a qb, but things will be a lot tougher in AFC if he returns to form.
All I want to know is, who thinks he is worth taking a late round flyer on in your upcoming fantasy drafts? He's gonna miss the first 4 games, but he could be a great asset to have later in the season.
"In the team meeting, he did what he had to do," McKinney said. "He's a man about it. We're all being men about it. Nobody is holding any grudges. We all want him back. He's a great player." ________ This is what it's all about right here - if his team forgives him then people need to stay off his case. Though i'll never completely forgive him for ruining my fantasy team last year.
it's worth whatever the contract says its worth. you live and die by the contract. guys like Ricky become millionaires many times over. you can't take those benefits and expect nothing back when you turn around and breach. there has to be some disincentive to that. i think miami would love to trade him...but they can't. they can't get the kind of value they think they could get if they showcase him for a year. i'd be shocked if he were wearing a dolphins uniform next season. EDIT: by next season, I mean 2006.
I always liked Ricky. I always thought he was a bit strange. If I still smoked, then I would give him a hit. Aside from that, I think he will do well this year. The pay he makes this year may not put a dent into the 8 mil, but there's the possibility that they lower it some. I wish him well, because I always liked Ricky. I always thought he was a bit strange. If I still smoked then I would give him a hit.
I'm sure the apology was made easier since the Dolphins were so dreadful without him. And as far as I know, the Dolphins haven't attempted to collect that $8 million.
As a lifelong Dolphin fan I have mixed feelings. Ronnie Brown will be the #1 back this year and Ricky will get his spots to produce. I think the Dolphins will showcase him just enough to get a 2nd or 3rd round draft pick next year. IMO this is a chance to get Ricky back in the NFL, but I cannot see this as a long-term commitment by either side. Ricky needs to put on some weight and get into playing shape and then come out in game 5 and turn a few heads. Saban covets draft picks and at the end of the day this may may be the best way to resolve it.
