Linehan interested in possibly having Ricky Williams back up Jackson

[RamsFan16]

Linehan interested in possibly having Ricky Williams back up Jackson
By Jim Thomas
ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH
04/19/2007
Dolphins Williams
Dolphins running back Ricky Williams (34) intrigues his former Miami offensive coordinator, Rams head coach Scott Linehan, as a possible No. 2 running back.
(Steve Mitchell/AP)

Rams coach Scott Linehan said he would entertain the prospect of bringing Ricky Williams to St. Louis as the team's No. 2 running back. Williams played for Miami when Linehan was Dolphins offensive coordinator in 2005.

"Based on how he played and the kind of person he was to be around, and the professional he was, I would certainly consider it," Linehan said Thursday. "He's proven himself with me. I know there would a certain amount of risk involved on that. . . I would have to look into it a little bit more."

After a year-long drug suspension in the NFL, Williams applied for reinstatement to the league last week. But Williams remains property of the Miami Dolphins through the 2007 season. (He's scheduled to make $720,000 in base salary next year.)

So if Williams is reinstated, the Rams would have to work out a trade with the Dolphins.

Williams, 29, spent last season playing for Toronto in the Canadian Football League. He rushed for 526 yards on 109 carries, and caught 19 passes for 127 yards. He missed two months with a broken arm.

jthomas@post-dispatch.com | 314-340-8197


Interesting. Honestly, depending on if he's reinstated and passes a physical I wouldn't mind having Ricky Williams backing up Jackson.

[Drew]

im interested in how this story will pan out,i would like us to go in for moats tho!

[Varg6]

This can go either which way...but I'd personally prefer Moats. Ricky has been busted multiple times for having drugs, and its not that I don't like him, nor do I think that he isn't a talented player, because he is. However, his age and lack of consistency with keeping up in the NFL concerns me. I think the European leagues are a lot different than the good ol' NFL. Taking Moats would make a lot more sense (Especially if God forbid Jackson got hurt, he'd be a more than reliable backup.). I know he is young and more than likely wants a chance to start, but I'd say give him a 2 or 3 year contract, nothing really long term. The nice thing about Moats is that if we do like the kid, and plays in the Horns for 2 or 3 years, we can always resign him. Ricky (...at least I doubt he does) doesn't have THAT much time left. He could arguably get a 2-3 year contract as well, but in my opinion, getting a fresh(er) player is definitely a better idea. (Similiar to the Jones/Turk comparisons)

[timsum1283]

Bulger + Jackson + Holt + Bruce + McMichael + Klopfenstein + Bennet + Ricky Williams = superbowl champs

[Varg6]

Bulger + Jackson + Holt + Bruce + McMichael + Klopfenstein + Bennet + Ricky Williams = superbowl champs

Can't do that without naming a few people on defense to help out :x

I can only think of a 3 :\

[bruce4life]

ricky williams could help us get some good prices on ganja>...

[general counsel]

bruce4life, i hear that ricky bought a franchise from nate newton for "personal consumption." Nate needed some help consuming some of the 450 plus pounds that he was busted with, while claiming it was for personal use only, which is potentially the greatest statement in the history of the american judicial system.

Would i sign ricky for the minimum as a backup? Sure. Will i trade picks for him? No. Moats, on the other hand, i like.

ramming speed to all

general counsel

[the chosen1]

Ricky Williams, who has applied for reinstatement in the NFL after a one-year suspension for substance abuse, could find a home with the St. Louis Rams.

Coach Scott Linehan, the offensive coordinator when Williams played for the Miami Dolphins in 2005, said Thursday he'd consider adding Williams to the roster as a backup. The Rams need depth behind Steven Jackson.

"He's proven himself with me," Linehan said. "I know there would be a certain amount of risk involved based on that, but I would just because he deserves that based on what he was able to do."

more on this go to realgm

This could be a good deal for us becuase this will alow us to not have to waste one of our picks on a RB. At the same time get a proven good backup RB who has some issue but I truley think its past him and hes concentrating on getting back to the old Ricky we all know.
Rams allow the way

:l

[ram3057]

ricky williams could help us get some good prices on ganja>...

What was the old saying...a friend with weed is a friend indeed....


This whole scenario reminds me of Pacman Jones and the Titans. Would you really want to gamble on either one??

[RedArcher7]

St. Louis Panthers or St. Louis Dolphins?

[Varg6]

St. Louis Panthers or St. Louis Dolphins?

I think it is a combination of both depending on if we pick up Jenkins or not in the trade.

[RedArcher7]

St. Louis Dolthers?

[RealRam]

...In my opinion, getting a fresh(er) player is definitely a better idea. (Similiar to the Jones/Turk comparisons) -- V6

Same here. I hope Coach 'entertains' the thought of acquiring RW, and nothing more.

[RamsFan16]

St. Louis Panthers or St. Louis Dolphins?

Who cares, at least we're picking up good quality players from them. Its not like we're bringing in scrubs or anything.

[RamsNation]

Honestly, the whole thing makes me nervous. I like Moats for the same reasons most of you do, quick, shifty, pass catching scat back who is bigger than he looks,210lbs. As a change of pace back, I have no problem with him. Stephen Davis is good for spelling Jackson too. But if Jackson got hurt, please don't happen, I know Davis couldnt take the workhorse beating and Moats has never shown me he can run "consistently" between the tackles, which he would have to do as a starter. If we get Moats and keep Davis, I'll be happy. But not one or the other. Ricky Williams could be a viable option, could spell or start, but there is obvious risk there also. None of the situations are perfect to me, but what ever is.