Fantasy Football Impact Report: Ricky Williams

September 2, 2008 3:01pm CDT

It goes by many names: Wacky Tobacky, Grass, Hawaiian Homegrown Hay, King Bud, and Giggle Weed to name a few. It's ok for some, but not so good for others, especially if you're a professional football player subjected to harsh scrutiny via the NFL's substance abuse policy. Under this microscope is where we find Miami Dolphins running back Ricky Williams.

During his suspension, Williams reportedly "found himself" and discovered the healing power of yoga, so apparently he no longer needs his happy sticks. Now that he's clean, he's apparently ready to get down to business in South Beach as the starting back.

NFL CAREER
1999 (New Orleans Saints): 12 games, 253 carries, 884 yards, 2 TDs.
28 receptions, 172 yards, 0 TDs.

2000 (New Orleans Saints): 10 games, 248 carries, 1,000 yards, 8 TDs.
44 receptions, 409 yards, 1 TDs.

2001 (New Orleans Saints): 16 games, 313 carries, 1,245 yards, 6 TDs.
60 receptions, 511 yards, 1 TDs.

2002 (Miami Dolphins): 16 games, 383 carries, 1,853 yards, 16 TDs.
47 receptions, 363 yards, 1 TDs.

2003 (Miami Dolphins): 16 games, 392 carries, 1,372 yards, 9 TDs.
50 receptions, 351 yards, 1 TDs.

2004 (Miami Dolphins): On season-long "vacation" with Mary Jane. (Suspended)

2005 (Miami Dolphins): 12 games, 168 carries, 743 yards, 6 TDs.
17 receptions, 93 yards, 0 TDs.

2006 (Miami Dolphins): Holistic "herb" earns him another season-long suspension, but still earns a paycheck via the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League.

2007 (Miami Dolphins): 1 game, 6 carries, 15 yards, 0 TDs. No receptions.

TEAM SCENARIO

There is a new sheriff in town, and his name is Bill Parcells. The coaching legend joins the Miami Dolphins as executive vice president of football operations. His deputy is former Dallas Cowboys offensive line coach/assistant head coach Tony Sparano, who is now the eighth head coach in the Dolphins' vaunted history. Widely respected by players and coaches alike, Sparano is saddled with the job in turning around a franchise that squeaked out just one win last season under fired first-year head coach Cam Cameron. In the debacle that was the Miami Dolphins' 2007 season, they lost six games by only three points, which was the difference in finishing 7-9 compared to their actual finish of 1-15.

Last season, the Dolphins had more holes on their roster than a moth-covered sweater, and subsequently addressed many of those voids via the draft and free agency. Their solid draft class featured help on both sides of the line, featuring tackle (and No. 1 overall pick) Jake Long of Michigan and defensive end Phillip Merling of Clemson. Fellow Wolverine quarterback Chad Henne will one day be protected by Long, but until then, newly acquired free agent Chad Pennington will serve to mentor Henne until he's ready, or until Pennington's Raggedy Andy arm falls off at the seam.

Miami replaced one veteran (Marty Booker) with another in former Jaguars wide receiver Ernest Wilford, who will help oversee the progression of young speedster wideout Ted Ginn Jr., as well as serve as the possession receiver.

The most intriguing story in South Florida will be the competition at the running back position. Williams joins incumbent Ronnie Brown in what could be one of the NFL's most potent 1-2 combinations at the position. For now, Williams will start to give Brown additional time to recover from his ACL knee injury sustained in Week 7 of last season. Before the injury (through six full weeks), Brown was on pace for 1,400+ rushing yards and 11 TDs. Additionally, he was on pace for nearly 950 receiving yards and three TDs. The loss of his production absolutely killed the Dolphins because of their lack of any reliable depth at the position. That was then, and this is now, as Williams will not only provide big-time depth, but should be a very productive starter for as long as Brown needs to fully recover from his knee injury.

2008 UPSIDE
Williams' upside starts and ends with the health of Brown's knee. You have to remember that Brown is coming off a type of injury that typically takes at minimum of 12 months to recover to pre-injury form. He's currently around the 10-month stage right now.

According to ESPN.com, a recent published report in the American Journal of Sports Medicine measured performance in NFL running backs and receivers following ACL reconstruction, and they reported a decline of about 30 percent compared to their pre-injury numbers. Even considering the positive reports on Brown from camp regarding his cuts, contact, and ability to run hard, Brown will still be eased in gradually in order to give his knee more time to heal. Also, Brown's recent sprained right thumb hasn't helped his cause much. These indicators all point to Williams getting the bulk of the load at the beginning of the season, and if the preseason is any indication, may become entrenched as the starter, as he's been outperforming Brown. At worst, Williams will split time 50/50 and be on the field in all goal line situations. However, considering the additional time required for full rehabilitation, at least initially, he should probably see more like a 70/30 split in the early going of the season. This will give Williams plenty of time to showcase his skills and make the case that he should be the full-time starter in Miami. If he can return to comparable numbers from his early days as a pass catcher, it would further solidify his cause.

Despite being over 30 years old (31), Williams has a lot of tread on the tires. Especially considering that in the last three seasons, he has a combined total of 174 carries. Combine that with his return to his hard-running ways he's exhibited in the preseason, and it all points to a positive 2008 campaign.

2008 DOWNSIDE
Even considering Williams' good performance during training camp and preseason, he still has to contend with Brown lurking over him like a gargoyle, poised to steal carries. Dolphins fans are the last to forget the explosive performances Brown put on last year, and he will not go unused in the Miami rushing attack.

Looking around the league, it's currently en vogue by teams to utilize two backs in their offensive game plan. Going the way of the dinosaur and bellbottoms is the "stud" back concept. They do exist out there, but the trend has definitely swung in favor of two running backs who can keep defenses off balance and serve to keep each other fresh. That's what Williams will have to overcome if he is to put up "stud" numbers. No easy task to be certain, considering how focused Brown has been on his rehabilitation and eagerness to get back into the fold in the Miami backfield.

OVERALL FANTASY IMPACT
Considering the upgrade at quarterback to help keep defenses from stacking the line, the upgrades on the offensive line, and a philosophical coaching focus on pounding the football, Williams could be looking at a very solid season. Much will depend, of course, on the total touches he receives, but considering the lengthy time required for a full recovery from ACL surgery for Brown, and the way Williams has looked in camp and preseason, he seems more than ready to take on the mantle as the primary ball carrier in Miami, and succeed in doing so.