Just Williams...

Ian pays tribute to evergreen Ricky, who is still ballin'

Last updated: 24th November 2009  

Just Williams...

Williams: still ballin' even though he's past 30!

Quietly as it is kept, early in the season, Ricky Williams received a contract extension, and in my opinion, he is worth every penny of $4.35 million he is going to get in 2010.

Ian Allen
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In today's NFL, running backs have a predetermined shelf life.

And as much as I hate to look at it and evaluate it, it is almost a fact that running backs' careers begin to decline right around the age of 30.

Look at Clinton Portis; I really can't remember a recent season in which he has stayed healthy all the way through, and he is one of my favorite running backs

Upon investigating LaDainian Tomlinson, he has not been productive as he was early on in his career - until the last couple of weeks in his defense - but the point is the production is not there.

Larry Johnson, Shaun Alexander... the list goes on. There is however one outlier who is continuing to ball... that is Ricky Williams.

Ricky Williams is another back that I favour, especially with his independent style and thinking. We all know his journey spanning the last few years of his career.

With stops in Miami to retirement, to being sued, to Toronto playing for the Argonauts where he broke his leg for crying out loud, yet still played about half of the CFL season.

He did not even put up any kind of significant stats in Toronto, and for him to make his way back to the NFL under the radar, and play the game the way it is supposed to be played every week, is truly inspiring.

Production

To see his growth from being a blamer to become an accountable man is a good thing. Quietly as it is kept, early in the season, he received a contract extension, and in my opinion, he is worth every penny of $4.35 million he is going to get in 2010.

This season alone, he is on pace to get well over 1,200 yards and is averaging just a touch over 5 yards per carry, all at the age of 32.

He has already surpassed last year's production and we are only at the mid point of the season. You've got to give credit where it is due! Ricky is ballin, and happy to see it!

One other Texas alum that I need to call attention to is the defensive end Brian Orakpo for the Washington Redskins. He has seven sacks in eight games and he pretty much plays linebacker full-time.

Imagine if you put that brutha in the three-point stance and being a designated pass rusher for the Skins, he could be at 10 to 12 sacks at this juncture in the season. That's unbelievable production for a rookie DE-hybrid-kinda-guy. He tops on my list for Defensive Rookie of the year.

Well, I figured I'd use this week to pass out honors to guys who deserve them and from my perspective, are having Pro Bowl calibre years under the radar. Until next time.

Be sure to listen to my show at Inside The Trenches every Tuesday at 6pm EST!

Comments (2)

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Daniel Chrystie says...

i liked this article but not sure i agree with the idea that because hes 32 hes breaking the rulebook on age of a running back. youve gota remember that he retired for a few years so he has had the 2-3 years of solid carries that other running backs like johnson, portis and LT have had so his body is still playing like a 28 year old running back. he also doesnt take the full load of carries in miami so his career will last for a few more years than these other guys. not that im complaining ive loved watching him come back and destroy defenses

Posted 13:15 26th November 2009

Ben Alsop says...

I do agree with the fact that at his age ricky has been very productive this year but one thing you have to say at his age of 32 is he should still compete with the rest as he has been splitting carries with Ronnie Brown, and not having to take the hits that the likes of Johnson and Portis who have had seasons of over 400 carries and so his body is in better shape and he can still go on hopefully for a few more years to show that no position has an age limit.

Posted 13:44 24th November 2009
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