There are no guarantees Ricky Williams will be on Miami’s 2008 roster, but the Dolphins may soon have an opening for a new backup running back behind starter Ronnie Brown.
Jesse Chatman, who handled that role in 2007, is scheduled for a free-agent meeting Wednesday with the New York Jets.
Out of football for almost two seasons, Chatman resurrected his career last year by rushing for 515 yards and one touchdown. Chatman also started six games in place of the injured Brown (knee) before being maligned with ankle problems.
Williams started in place of the injured Chatman last November against Pittsburgh after being reinstated by the NFL following a 19-month drug suspension. Williams, though, suffered a torn pectoral muscle after just six carries in that game and missed the rest of the season.
Dolphins executive vice president Bill Parcells exercised a one-year option on Williams’ contract immediately after the season ended. The move insured Williams, 30, couldn’t opt out of his current deal and become a free agent.
Williams is now slated to earn a 2008 base salary of $730,000, which is the NFL-minimum base salary for a player with seven accredited seasons. It’s also a bargain if Williams can regain the form that made him one of the NFL’s top rushers before repeated drug suspensions derailed his football career.
The Dolphins selected Florida State running back Lorenzo Booker in the third round of last year’s draft. But Booker struggled for playing time as a rookie and, at 5-foot-11 and 191 pounds, may not have the size to handle an every-down role.
Coming off a torn anterior cruciate ligament, Brown is expected to return for the start of the regular season. Brown, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2005 draft, was enjoying his best NFL season before getting hurt.
New York’s interest in Chatman is curious simply because the team already has two solid running backs in Thomas Jones and Leon Washington. But Chatman also has value on special teams.
interesting and curious at the same time....
I think it would be silly for Miami not to utilize Ricky in some form this year for the price they got him at. Isnt he still working off money he owes them?? I just dont think they can get any trade value for him.
Rickey is a bargain as he can block like a madman for Brown. I believe in the guy now but had previously wanted him gone. I'm sure Rickey can contribute this year while the Fins rebuild. Parcells is using veterans to stabilize the team and Rickey should fit very well.
COME ON RICKYYY! we need your skill this season. We can't wait to celebrate your first TD of the season! this team needs a lot of support from the Fin fans
Sticky Icky Rickey a back up?? Awesome more time to sit and smoke from the bench. If he smokes enough maybe he will forget about how bad the Fins are going to be.
if depression leads to rickys pot troubles than maybe the dolphins are not the right team for him. i know i did not have a drinking problem before last season.
4get about Chatman for now, trade for a CB... Lito Sheppard is available!!! Dont sign Will Peterson, he ####!! Pace at LB, Woody at OT, Johnson or Gaffney at WR, Sheppard at CB, Richardson at FB....
Ricky has always given everything he has to the Dolphins. Wannstadt dam near killed him playing "Rick-ball" for 2 seasons. At 730,000 this year, he is the biggest bargain in the NFL...KEEP HIM!
With all of the things wrong with professional sports and society, I think Ricky has been made somewhat of a scapegoat. I also think he was deliberately stomped on in his return game against Pittsburgh. Still think Ricky
is a valuable asset. He OWES Miami a few good years. Together,a healthy Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams could easily be the best backfield in the NFL.
hey parcell,put rickey at DE and maybe you can replace zach, with him. as much as i liked ronnie brown when he was at auburn,i believe his days are numbered,and so is his friend at tampa-injury proned.
Who-ever was responsible for drafting last years roster should be dragged out and shot, (not really, but for a guy who been a fan since that Beautiful season of 1972, well you know what I mean.) Now a Total Rebuilding on the the lines of that near classic movie, Total Recall must and certainly be done and fast. AS fast as humanly possible, starting with an excellent QB, on the lines of a Dan Marino. A few good linebackers are essentail too. In fact draft the best of all essential positions. But I could go on and on and on....
Ido not think parcells will keep him.I say make a trade with the cowboys. we already got the dolphins sixth round pick for next year and we swapped sixth rounders this year. The cowboys need a backup to marion barber. the price will be right for the cowboys also. They gave tank another shot. What will it hurt with rickey at that price?
I personally hope Williams stays with the team. He is talent. I mean let's see how he does at least one season, then go from there. We hardly got to see him last year since that injury he suffered in Pittsburgh.
Oh Ricky... you'll be back to run for a couple games and then screw up again... its just your nature bud.
And as far as the commment I read about "The Fins needing a lot of support"... well common now, you're assuming there are actually Dolphins fans still out there!!!
FINS Su@$! Let Ricky go play for a good team and make some WEED $$$ for goodness sakes. I want to watch him play for GB or Dallas or any team that competes.
Ricky is A MACHINE. I think he's still GOT IT and the rest of the league better watch out with the BROWN and WILLIAMS POWER DUO!!.
GO Fins. It can't get any worse.
AND BY THE WAY.. NEW YORK FANS CAN'T STAY AWAY FROM MIGRATING TO MIAMI. STAY IN NEW YORK. WE DON'T NEED YOUR SMART REMARKS IN MIAMI. IF YOU COME TO LIVE HERE, CHEER FOR THE HOME TEAM OR GET OUT...
bring him back. did yall see him on pros vs joes! he crushed those dudes. obviously he stills have value if he didn't Parcells wouldn't of exercised his option. he could back RB come in and bring a change of pace. bring him back!
He OWES Miami a few good years. Together,a healthy Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams could easily be the best backfield in the NFL.
In the past year, I live alone with a empty life, spend much time online for games, news or viewing sexy photos. Finnaly I began to use ####, where i met my babe. I can't describe in words our first meeting...we had such a great time. I will never surfing lonely from now on.
Alex Marvez is a Senior NFL Writer for FOXSports.com . He's covered the NFL for 13 seasons as a beat writer and is the president of the Pro Football Writers of America.
