Puff Piece Detetector: Ricky Williams
First things first: No pun intended with the title.
I have to admit I'm a sucker for Ricky Williams. He passes the test I have with movies; I consider one worthwhile If I've never seen any like it. And there is only one Ricky Williams.
Ricky is still in South Florida because he's a hard worker, unlike his reputation. Plus he's cheap and Ronnie Brown is coming back from injury. Nick Saban, a brittle branch of the Parcells coaching tree, loved Ricky. And the Tuna seems to feel the same.
Still, can we possibly trust a 31-year-old who essentially hasn't played in four seasons? The puff pieces lately focus on Williams getting an offseason to truly train for the first time in years. Not sure I buy that argument, but I do buy Ricky starting the season in an almost even split with Brown, before slowly fading or getting hurt.
I'm combining running topics here, but how would you rank Williams. Right now, I have him as the RB44, an eleventh round grade. I suspect that is higher than where he is getting drafted, and I'm trying to stop myself from pushing him higher. Where would you put him?
Comments
I would put Ricky in my pipe and smoke him, that's the only buzz you're gonna get from him.
Posted by: Greg | June 5, 2008 06:14 PM
what do you think for brown then...what about brown for dynasty leagues as well?
Posted by: J | June 5, 2008 06:45 PM
I think eleventh round is about right.
Upside is he splits carries and revitalizes his career in what would be one of the best stories the NFL has seen in years. This is a rare chance where a player is coming back under the completely right circumstances. Think about the potential he could have if he can even get to 80% of what he used to be. Not to mention if Ronnie Brown goes down again he will be the largest value pick by far this year. If not the best handcuff in the leauge then close(well that is Chester Taylor now that I think of it).
Downside is he gets hurt agian and doesn't contribute, but there are so many decent backs in the leauge right now it wouldn't be that big of a hit.
Realistically speaking, I'd say he gets about 650-750 yards and 4-6 TD's.
In the words of the immortal Fox Mulder from X-files, "I want to believe."
Posted by: JR | June 5, 2008 09:43 PM
Granted I don't place as much credence in the "grading" system as you industry types, but I would have no reservations about drafting Williams as an RB4 in the 8th-9th round (I only play in 14 team leagues). By that point in the majority of my leagues, the quality RBs are long gone, and the lesser-of-the-time-share RBs are nearly gone (I was fortunate enough to snag Lendale White in the 9th-11th in all my leagues last year - thanks for the recommendation - not only saved my ass but helped me win 3 championships).
Anyways, I would (will) draft Williams more on potential than his current situation. If Brown goes down again (impossible to predict, granted).... but IF HE DOES, Ricky is a fantasy beast for '08.
And that in and of itself is reason enough for me to take a midround flier on him, considering the severity of the injury Brown is recovering from.
Posted by: The Dox | June 5, 2008 09:48 PM
Damn JR, not only do we seem to agree on (most) everything ( I
Anyways, I agree completely with your above post - I think I said more-or-less the same thing, but you worded it much more eloquently.
Here's my bottom line: I expect Ricky to at least approach his totals from the last time he split carries with Brown ('05, 168 carries, 743 yards, 6 TDs). And that's the worst case scenario, IMO. And as has been said... if Brown goes down again, Ricky is the value pick o' the draft.
Posted by: The Dox | June 5, 2008 10:00 PM
Two Words:
Jalen Parmele
That is all.
Posted by: endzoneview | June 5, 2008 11:47 PM
Dude, remember how poor Ricky played before all this new hype. I think Parcells is just trying to motivate Reggie to get back as soon as possible. If Ricky gets more than 500 yards I'll eat my own liver (with a nice Chianti ththththth).
Posted by: Neverman | June 6, 2008 01:42 AM