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Very high praise about former Longhorn Ricky Williams from a Miami Dolphins’ source in a Pro Football Weekly story. It appears that Ricky will not only begin the season as the team’s number one running back but that “he’s clearly the best player on the team.”

Check out the story below:

Don’t read much into the comments by ESPN’s Chris Mortensen on “Monday Night Countdown” that the Dolphins could be looking to trade RB Ronnie Brown. The way we hear it, it was purely speculation, and coach Tony Sparano was adamant at his Aug. 20 press conference that he will not do such a thing. Even if they were unhappy with Brown, whose preseason numbers have certainly been uninspiring in his first action since tearing his ACL in Week Seven last season, his trade value couldn’t be any lower than it is right now.

However, what we do hear is that the roles of Brown and Ricky Williams have changed, at least temporarily. Initially, it was believed that Williams was going to be the complement to Brown as soon as Brown was fully healthy. Now, it appears that Brown will play the role of reliever to Williams, regardless of his knee health. The coaches have been so thoroughly impressed with Williams - one team source called him “clearly the best player on the team” - that only slippage on his part will revert the RB hierarchy to Brown being on top. Williams is set to become a free agent after the season, so expect the club to lock him up before he hits the market if he continues performing in such a fashion.

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Ten years have passed since Ricky Williams won the Heisman Trophy. In honor of that anniversary, the 50th anniversary for Pete Dawkins (Army) and the 25th for Mike Rozier (Nebraska running back) the second annual Heisman Anniversary Winners weekend is going on right now in Austin. It’s a chance for former winners to get together and of course play a little golf.

The official Texas football site has a Q&A with Ricky available (which I’ve also posted below) as well as a great photo gallery from the event’s golf tournament.

Was it everything you thought it would be, I know we talked to you a month ago when you were anticipating it, is it everything you thought it would be: Yeah, I try not to anticipate too much. The main thing I wanted to do is come with my family and have a good time, and so far, so good. For me the big thing is just being back in Austin. I’ve had more fun driving around Austin than anything else.

Has one of the Heisman winners had a bigger influence on you: It’s no question – it’s Earl [Campbell]. He was here from day one, and he’s still here and he’s still one of my biggest supporters. It’s definitely Earl.

Tony Dorsett was reminiscing when he was there when you broke the record and he kind of got emotional about it: Yeah, I mean, it was a record that lasted for 20 years, and you know, when I had it, it only lasted for one (smiling). I think it’s one of the most prestigious records in all of college football.

(more …)

More mature Ricky Williams embracing football. He has a new desire & zest for leadership.

Dolphins’ Ricky Williams relishes hard work. Ricky has enthusiastically embraced Miami’s strenuous offseason conditioning program.

Ricky Williams video from MB-TF.com. I’m rooting so hard for him, hope he keeps it together for a few seasons.

Ricky Williams discusses life in the public eye. You can’t always be yourself, you have to be a role model.

Ricky Williams finally ready for return to football. Says he wishes he was on Cedric’s boat to be a calming influence.

The Austin American-Statesman has a great photo gallery up of Ricky Williams and Earl Campbell at a local golf tournament Wednesday. It’s great to see the two Texas legends together. Check out the gallery for a few more photos.

Ricky Williams contract renewed by the Big Tuna. He’ll be back with the Dolphins in 2008.

Ricky Williams tears chest muscle in first game back. Was it a dirty play? At least now he gets a weekly paycheck.

Ricky Williams returns to Dolphins’ practice for first time. No news on when he’ll make his debut.

After an 18 month absence from the NFL, word out of ESPN is that the NFL has decided to reinstate Ricky Williams from his suspension. No word yet on whether or not the Miami Dolphins will welcome him back, they have two weeks to make that decision.

Video below with a few more details:

More thoughts on Ricky and which NFL team he might end up with later tonight.

Update

It looks like Ricky could very well end up back with the Dolphins. His agent is saying Miami would welcome him back and possible teammate Joey Porter sounds like he’ll take any player who can help the Fins get their first win of the season.

Ricky has a serious issue with social anxiety disorder that it sounds like he finally got the treatment he needed during the last six months. He’s made his mistakes but he’s never hurt anyone and he certainly deserves a chance to earn a living and play football again. He showed in 2005 that he can still play, and whether it’s with the Dolphins or another team I think he can make a contribution this season.

I love watching Ricky run and no matter what he’ll always be one of my favorite Longhorns. I’ll be watching his return closely and rooting him on to prove all his doubters wrong on and off the field.

Related Links

• Ricky Williams rejoining Dolphins

Ricky Williams officially applies for reinstatement to the NFL. It could still be two months before commissioner (and others) makes a decision on his future.

Ricky Williams will apply for reinstatement to the NFL on October 1st when his suspension is over. No clue when he’ll be cleared to return.

Ricky Williams was on ESPN Radio’s Dan Patrick Show at the ned of last week and his interview with Dan and Keith Olbermann was incredible. Ricky sounds intelligent and introspective and I’m really rooting for him again to get that chance to prove people wrong in the NFL.

The first 15 minutes of audio is Ricky and the last 10 is Dan and Keith discussing it. Listen to the entire thing below:

It appears Ricky is finally comfortable being Ricky Williams and he’s found ways to deal with the celebrity and stress that comes with being an NFL superstar. Sounds like Dan and Keith were pretty impressed with him, and like them I hope Ricky is able to keep things together when the full pressure of the NFL comes back.

Update: Anybody else having issues with the Odeo player? If so use the player below:

The Dolphins’ coaching staff will decide on whether they want Ricky Williams to return.

His biggest supporter in Miami (Saban) is gone but he wants to go back.

I agree with just about everything he said. That reporter just never got the point.

One year deal making sure Ricky can come back to the Dolphins next year.

Disappointing. Let’s hope he can keep his head on straight for a year.

Ruling on Ricky’s status should come in next 2 weeks.

The Miami Herald is reporting that former Longhorn Ricky Williams has failed a fourth drug test and is facing a one-year suspension from the league. No word on why he failed the test, at this stage of the NFL substance abuse policy a missed test counts as failed test, and no official confirmation, but where’s there’s smoke there’s fire. (Pun intended.)

Ricky went a long way last year at winning back his fans and his teammates, if he did indeed a fail a drug test that would be gone instantly. I’ve been one of his biggest supporters throughout but this is pretty tough to take. When he didn’t want to play anymore I said Ricky had the right to be himself and do what made him happy. When he came back to football I rooted him on and knew he was still capable of doing incredible things. I thought this season he’d be back to old form and force the Dolphins to trade him so he could be a featured back again. This is so disappointing. I know it’s just marijuana, but when you’re in the situation he’s in you have to know the consequences and make smart decisions. Football or no football, I hope he figures his life out.

He deserved a second change and Nick Saban and the Dolphins gave him one. I’m not sure he’ll get a third, from them or from me.

Update

Some decent news today, Ricky is appealing the suspension. His agent, Leigh Steinberg, said, “Ricky Williams has been in outstanding behavioral mode for the past six months. No one should jump to any conclusions.” Echoes what teammate Jason Taylor said yesterday. Hopefully they know something we don’t. (2/21/2006)

Rumors are circulating that if Kirk Ferentz doesn’t take the Houston Texans job it’ll be offered to Denver Bronco offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak. If Kubiak gets the job then he would be interested in adding much maligned (pre-Vince) Texas coordinator Greg Davis to his staff. Davis coached Kubiak when he was the quarterback at Texas A&M in the early 80’s.

I’m actually a Greg Davis supporter when it comes to his teaching and gameplanning, but it would certainly be interesting to see who Mack Brown could bring in to replace him. Greg Robinson and Gene Chizik have infused a lot of excitement into the defense, a hot young offensive coordinator that would stick around for a while could be a good thing. Though breaking in a new QB and offensive coordinator at the same time would be an awful lot of change for one offseason. We can’t however afford to be breaking in a new offensive coordinator/scheme every year, it’s a much bigger transition than on the other side of the ball.

David Carr for Ricky Williams?

In other Texans rumors… Are they trying to set up an opening at quarterback so they can draft Vince Young? Rumors are floating around of a possible David Carr to the Miami Dolphins for Ricky Williams trade in the works. The Texans would get Houstonian Vince Young, Ricky Williams playing for the league minimum, and a third round pick out of the deal while the Dolphins would end up with another average QB.

If the Dolphins are willing to do that deal I pull the trigger in a second.

Not much college football on this weekend (Hawai’i Bowl was a great game Friday night) but several Longhorns in the NFL had pretty good games Saturday.

• Chris Simms led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a game-tying touchdown with less than a minute to go in regulation and two easy field goal opportunities in overtime. He finished the day with 285 yards passing and 2 touchdowns and it looks like the Bucs will make the playoffs.
• In his first 20+ carry game since coming back off retirement/suspension Ricky Williams ran all over the Tennessee Titans for 172 yards and a TD. Quietly, Ricky has played really well this season in Miami and has looked like the Ricky of old when given the chance.
• Roy Williams and Shaun Rogers led the Detroit Lions to a win over the Saints in San Antonio. Williams had four big catches for 111 yards and the Pro Bowler Rogers rumbled 21 yards for his first career touchdown after recovering a first quarter fumble.

Certainly doesn’t hurt recruiting to have these guys and others playing well in the pros every weekend. Future NFL success is one of the big draws for programs like Miami and if you can add that factor the UT’s already attractive atmosphere, coaching staff, location, facilities, and tradition I think you’ll see the program get even stronger over the next few years.

Ricky Williams, Roy Williams, Leonard Davis, Derrick Johnson, & Quentin Jammer selected.