This NFL off-season has had its share of big stories. First we had the Terrell Owens fiasco. His agent reportedly screwed him out of becoming an unrestricted free agent by not submitting the proper paperwork on time. He then seeks a trade, but gets traded to a team he doesn’t want to play for, the Ravens. Then he forces a trade to the grateful Eagles. The Eagles desperately needed to make a move like this. With T.O. on board, a Super Bowl could finally become a reality for a team that has faced so much disappointment the last three seasons. If that doesn’t work for them, then what will?But in regard to T.O. forcing his way out of Baltimore, and in effect choosing what team he wants to play for, I thought the teams were supposed to have more power than the players? Well they usually do. Contracts in the NFL are not guaranteed. Ask Eddie George about that. The Titans gave him a choice. He could play for the Titans for $1.5 million or seek greener pastures. George chose the greener pastures, and with incentives could make as much as $ 4.25 million. But he has to earn that $ 4.25 million. Only the $1.5 million is guaranteed. This could end up to be a great move for the Cowboys, who have not had a quality rusher for several years. A chance of scenery might be just what George needs to revitalize his career. But on the other hand, with an old veteran passed his prime in the backfield, the situation does seem somewhat familiar. I guess they don’t have to worry about the all-time rushing record this time around. His meager average of 3.7 yards per carry won’t exactly have him closing in on Smith’s all-time mark any time soon.
Many other teams have departed with high profile players as well. Kurt Warner left the Rams for the Giants. Kerry Collins left the Giants for the Raiders. The Broncos’ and Redskins’ sign and trade deal that sent Clinton Portis to D.C. and Champ Bailey to Denver. This deal has to be one of the more intriguing trades I have ever seen. Both players are performing at their peaks, and are near the top of the league in their respective positions. The Broncos feel like they can develop any running back with their offensive live, and desperately needed the help in the secondary. The Redskins desperately needed help in the backfield to take pressure of their passing attack. Patrick Ramsey put up some decent statistics last year, but he got absolutely murdered as the season went on. This move should benefit both teams nicely.
But the most interesting and surprising story comes to us from Hawaii, where Ricky Williams informed Miami Dolphins head coach Dave Wannstedt of his sudden retirement. After 5 seasons at age 27, Williams has abruptly ended his career, and left for another country. Sound familiar? But Barry Sanders was loved and revered by most NFL fans. His dazzling ability to gain yards behind what seemed like a weak offensive line every year was mind-boggling. But Ricky Williams? Loved? Hardly. Maybe the Dolphins’ fans loved his ability to break tackles and gain yards, but it stops there. This guy didn’t even like football. He never even wanted to play in the NFL. But now he’s free. And I’m sure there aren’t many Dolphins fan out there who are crazy about Miami’s backfield options now.
Personally, I’ll miss Ricky Williams because I kind of liked his weird personality. Who can forget the interview he conducted with a helmet on? And how about his ridiculous incentive-laden contract that Master P of all people negotiated for him? Well Ricky Williams now leaves us with one last bizarre memory. He notified coach Wannstedt of his decision through several pay phone calls from Hawaii. Apparently he didn’t have his cell phone on him. He then took off for Japan, and has now found his way back to Los Angeles. He may even go back to school to continue his education. I suppose it’s actually not that bizarre. I mean that is what most of us have to do, go to school. But we do it because we can’t make millions in the NFL. Ricky Williams is doing it because he can, not because he has to.