skins4eva Posted August 4, 2004 Share Posted August 4, 2004 Coming back in Silver and Black? Williams says he'd 'love' to return in 2005 with the Raiders Posted: Wednesday August 4, 2004 4:46PM; Updated: Wednesday August 4, 2004 5:22PM Ricky Williams is a native of San Diego and says he is very comfortable in California. Damian Strohmeyer/SI Ricky Williams was in Oakland last weekend, visiting his twin sister, Cassie, and enjoying the first week of the rest of his life. He had a wonderful time, and experienced absolutely zero regrets that he wasn't at the Miami Dolphins' training camp. Now here's the interesting part: Williams likes Oakland so much, he expressed the desire to play there in 2005. According to the 27-year-old halfback, who officially filed retirement papers with the NFL earlier this week, playing for the Raiders is "the only way I would" consider a comeback."It would be great," he said. "I'd love it." In an interview conducted via America Online's instant-messenger service, Williams said he likes the idea of wearing the silver-and-black uniform as soon as next summer. He cited the team's offensive line and the presence of coach Norv Turner, his offensive coordinator the previous two seasons in Miami, as elements that make the Raiders attractive. Turner, after all, called the plays when Williams had his monster season in 2002, leading the NFL with 1,853 rushing yards. Williams, a native of San Diego, also gave another reason for wanting to play in Oakland: "I love Cali." Only in the Golden State, Williams believes, can his unconventional sensibilities be accepted, and nowhere more than in the Raider Nation, a land inhabited by "crazy fans who would expect a weirdo." Such a move would not be entirely up to Williams, of course. His NFL rights belong to the Dolphins, for whom Williams is under contract for another two seasons. Miami traded a pair of first-round draft picks to acquire Williams from the New Orleans Saints following the 2001 season and undoubtedly would be interested in recouping at least part of that initial investment. Would the Raiders be interested? League tampering rules prevent Oakland officials from discussing such a scenario, but a look at the Raiders' roster suggests they could use a premier back. With Charlie Garner having left for Tampa Bay, the team lists 32-year-old Tyrone Wheatley, who gained 678 rushing yards in 2003, atop its depth chart. Second-year back Justin Fargas and veteran offseason pickups Troy Hambrick and Amos Zereoue are also competing for jobs and playing time. Turner, like owner Al Davis, has long been a proponent of a power running attack, and Williams obviously fits that mold. Further complicating the situation is the possible suspension Williams faces for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. Williams reportedly would have had to pay a $650,000 fine this season for having twice tested positive for marijuana; last week he told The Miami Herald that he had been notified of a third positive test, which would cost him a four-game suspension. He declined to comment further. It's also unclear whether Williams would want more money should he return to the league. According to an NFL source who is friendly with Williams, the halfback, who was due to make $3.5 million in 2004, sought an upgraded deal from Miami after last season but balked at what he deemed to have been an underwhelming offer. For now, Williams is intent upon enjoying his time away from football. He was in Huntington Beach, Calif., earlier this week and planned to fly to Asia for an extended vacation. He was also contemplating visiting Athens for the Olympics. Asked to sum up his current state of mind, Williams replied, "Every man thinks his burden is the heaviest, but he who feels it knows it. Burden equals truth." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldskool Posted August 4, 2004 Share Posted August 4, 2004 http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/writers/michael_silver/08/04/silver.openmike/index.html dont forget the linky linky next time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skins4eva Posted August 4, 2004 Author Share Posted August 4, 2004 sorry, that was my first time posting an article Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldskool Posted August 4, 2004 Share Posted August 4, 2004 Originally posted by skins4eva sorry, that was my first time posting an article no worries, no one does it right the first time Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thinking Skins Posted August 4, 2004 Share Posted August 4, 2004 WTF is this about? I see this is just somebody creating a story. Its not like he went to the guy and said he wants to play in oakland. RW said its the ONLY way. this is just a bunch of BS and trying to create hype. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AzSkinsFan63 Posted August 4, 2004 Share Posted August 4, 2004 So he's just going to go on a pot binge this season? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. S Posted August 4, 2004 Share Posted August 4, 2004 wow, I feel really bad for Miami. They gave up so much, and only to have him retire, then potentially come back for another team, w/o any major compensation to them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cskin Posted August 4, 2004 Share Posted August 4, 2004 sorry, that was my first time posting an article Cool... but we're still going to have to take you behind the building and beat the life nearly out of you. The NFL , and more specifically the Phins, should put a stop to this before players and agents get any bright ideas. Much like Owens whining about his trade and eventually going where he wanted to go, allowing players to come back from "retirement" and choose the team they want to play for would only open the flood gates for other players to do the same. The Dolphins should hold his rights until he's forty... then release his rights in order for him to play with another team. Malicious.... sure.... but what Williams did to the Dolphins shouldn't be overlooked or later rewarded with his choice to play for a team in a state he's "comfortable" in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Streater101 Posted August 5, 2004 Share Posted August 5, 2004 Thats not very consistant to what he said earlier; Dolphins running him too much, pounding the ball over and over. If he didn't like doing that for Norv in Miami, why would it be any different in Oakland? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
China Posted August 5, 2004 Share Posted August 5, 2004 Don't forget, by resigning during the substance abuse testing program, if he comes back he will automatically be considered as having failed a fourth test and will miss at least 4 games under suspension (or maybe for the 4th its a year). So even if he wanted to come back next year he'd still have to sit out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu Posted August 5, 2004 Share Posted August 5, 2004 Williams replied, "Every man thinks his burden is the heaviest, but he who feels it knows it. Burden equals truth." What a dolt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SkinsFTW Posted August 5, 2004 Share Posted August 5, 2004 Originally posted by blakman211 WTF is this about? I see this is just somebody creating a story. Its not like he went to the guy and said he wants to play in oakland. RW said its the ONLY way. this is just a bunch of BS and trying to create hype. Does anyone really doubt that the pothead will be back? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Soliloquy Posted August 5, 2004 Share Posted August 5, 2004 Don't the Dolphins have his rights? And if they release him, doesn't he have to go through waivers first? Like Deion two years ago, when he toyed with coming back to play for (gasp!) the Raiders? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gridironmike Posted August 5, 2004 Share Posted August 5, 2004 He misses Norv!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stu Posted August 5, 2004 Share Posted August 5, 2004 Originally posted by gridironmike He misses Norv!!!! Nice. Who says THC doesn't have lasting effects? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TK Posted August 5, 2004 Share Posted August 5, 2004 Originally posted by Soliloquy Don't the Dolphins have his rights? And if they release him, doesn't he have to go through waivers first? Like Deion two years ago, when he toyed with coming back to play for (gasp!) the Raiders? The best part of that was when Marty got Peon & stopped him from trying to get another ring. :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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