Dolphins can’t bank on Williams

By Jeff Dickinson  |   Tuesday, June 17, 2008  |  Comments( 5 )

Miami Dolphins
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As the Miami Dolphins’ organized team activities came to a close last week, word out of camp was that running back Ronnie Brown was showing glimpses of his former self.

On the last day of camp, Brown wrapped up his third straight day of drills. That may not sound like much, but it was music to Miami fans' ears. After tearing his ACL last October and missing the rest of the season, it was uncertain whether Brown would be at full strength by the time the 2008 season rolls around.

Not only does Brown seem to be ahead of schedule in the recovery process, however, but word on the field was that he was even starting to look like the back who was tearing up the league at the time of his injury in 2007. Brown, for instance, zipped past Joey Porter, one of the quickest linebackers in the league, on one pass play over the middle of the field.

When Brown suffered his major knee injury last October, he had rushed for 602 yards and four touchdowns in only seven games, also adding 34 catches for 356 yards. He was on pace to have well over 2,000 yards from scrimmage.

Dolphins fans should be breathing a huge sigh of relief at the news of Brown’s recovery process. Barring an unforeseen injury, he ought to be at 100 percent in time for Week 1 of the regular season.

That’s a good thing; after all, the alternative -- Ricky Williams -- is a little frightening. That's the same Williams who was suspended for three failed drug tests in 2004 and then subsequently retired.

It's also the same Williams who returned to the Dolphins in 2005, but then violated the NFL’s drug policy once more in 2006 and was suspended for the entire season. The same Williams who played for the Canadian Football League's Toronto Argonauts in 2006, but he suffered two injuries and finished with only 526 yards in 11 games. The same Williams who returned to the Dolphins in 2007 and carried the ball six times for 15 yards before tearing his pectoral muscle and missing the rest of the season.

In the end, Williams can’t be trusted mentally or physically until he proves to the Dolphins that he can be. Conversely, all Brown does is show up for work, give full effort and do whatever is asked of him. All Williams has done is show up for work when he wants to, occasionally serving as a distraction in the process.

Is Williams a talented running back? No question. The problem with Williams is that his talent has become overshadowed by his poor choices and lack of commitment.

Williams has supposedly recommitted himself to the NFL and the Dolphins. He has looked quick in voluntary workouts and has impressed coaches. But before fans pencil Williams’ name into the lineup consistently in 2008, he is going to have to prove that things are different.

Until then, fans ought to hope that Brown is back at full strength. The Dolphins’ hopes in 2008 may be riding on his recovered knee.
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About Jeff Dickinson

I have been writing and editing professionally for 18 years. I spent the first three years of my career as a sportswriter for a daily newspaper in Alabama and got to cover sports and get paid for it! It was great until I got married and then it wasn't too much fun being away from my wife every...
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