Ricky Williams is great.

[troutman]

"Oh yeah," Ricky rumbles softly, as he rolls a fatty. "Sweet heaven here we come. Check it out, check it out! . . . Pretty soon I'm going to be feeling all unnecessary." [Ricky in the movie Rush, 1991]

[Bobblehead]

Originally Posted by habernac

I believe he will still be tested in accordance with the NFL rules.

Up to 10 times per month is what he said in the press conf.

[AaronSJ]

At a cost of ~$450 per test plus the cost of sending somone from Buffalo to administer the test! Basically, it's going to cost the NFL / NFLPA almost $100,000 keep tabs on Ricky for the year.... and that's why we'll never see comprehensive drug testing in the CFL...

[J pold]

Well all I know even though I am not a big Stamps fan, I will be getting tickets to watch Ricky play mostly because I am a huge NFL guy, but as far as what he going to do in the league I think Rick will be above average but nothing more, The CFL is such a pass orientated league that the Ricky’s running ability will be kind of wasted, that all being said he can come out and catch a pass in the flats when needed, and the extra 11.7 yards of width will only make it easier for him to turn that corner which he loves to do

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

I dunno J Pold, A guy with Ricky's power, speed and ability could revolutionize the running game for toronto.

The guy averaged 4 yds per carry in the NFL, but he's the kind of guy who doesn't really get a lot of hudge runs, he just grinds a team's defence down and get's 1st down after 1st down.

Guranteed we'll see a couple drives where Ricky get's the ball just about every play for about 12 4-6 yd gains.

[calf]

I'm curious if the guy shows up with drive and determination to do well, or if he comes to the CFL with a case of hot-shotitis a-la Quincy Carter. If he chooses not to take the league seriously, he'll flounder regardless of how talented he is. If he shows up to play, he'll be dominant, simple as that. But, I think the extent of his dominance will be a good measuring stick of the talent in the CFL, imo. .

[J pold]

The biggest factor that is going to play into Ricky’s success is the Line backers in the CFL, for the most part they are small which is the main reason why they didn’t make it the NFL, or the guys that played a corner or safety in college and came up to the CFL to convert into linebacker, line backers in the CFL are more about speed and pass coverage, if Ricky takes the ball hard in the middle and can wear down the line backing core he will be a big success

Also if say a team wants to counter Ricky’s power in the middle by putting 5 or 6 guys in the box than the receivers are going to have a huge miss match on the outside

*ahhh it’s good to talk football*

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Originally Posted by J pold

The biggest factor that is going to play into Ricky’s success is the Line backers in the CFL, for the most part they are small which is the main reason why they didn’t make it the NFL, or the guys that played a corner or safety in college and came up to the CFL to convert into linebacker, line backers in the CFL are more about speed and pass coverage, if Ricky takes the ball hard in the middle and can wear down the line backing core he will be a big success

Also if say a team wants to counter Ricky’s power in the middle by putting 5 or 6 guys in the box than the receivers are going to have a huge miss match on the outside

*ahhh it’s good to talk football*

I completely agree.
It could be that Ricky's biggest impact is making linebackers always think run first and leaving slotbacks open all day. Either way, there's no doubt in my mind that Ricky automatically makes Toronto's offence a hell of a lot better.

And all the people who are saying that Ricky may show up and mail it in....well he wasn't exactly in top form last year when he returend, and he still ran for 750 yds (4.4 yd ave) while sharing duties with Ronnie Brown. Even if he mails it in he'll still do pretty well IMO. Unless of coures he has trouble holding onto the bigger ball.

[J pold]

Originally Posted by Bring_Back_Shantz

I completely agree.
It could be that Ricky's biggest impact is making linebackers always think run first and leaving slotbacks open all day. Either way, there's no doubt in my mind that Ricky automatically makes Toronto's offence a hell of a lot better.

And all the people who are saying that Ricky may show up and mail it in....well he wasn't exactly in top form last year when he returend, and he still ran for 750 yds (4.4 yd ave) while sharing duties with Ronnie Brown. Even if he mails it in he'll still do pretty well IMO. Unless of coures he has trouble holding onto the bigger ball.

I don’t see him mailing it in at all, reports out of Argo’s camp today say that he looks fantastic

[JayP]

Originally Posted by calf

I'm curious if the guy shows up with drive and determination to do well, or if he comes to the CFL with a case of hot-shotitis a-la Quincy Carter. If he chooses not to take the league seriously, he'll flounder regardless of how talented he is. If he shows up to play, he'll be dominant, simple as that. But, I think the extent of his dominance will be a good measuring stick of the talent in the CFL, imo. .

Ricky Williams isn't a Onterrio Smith or Quincy Carter. He has basically no ego, especially for a player of his caliber.

Williams is going to make the CFL very interesting this year that's for sure.

[calf]

Originally Posted by JayP

Ricky Williams isn't a Onterrio Smith or Quincy Carter. He has basically no ego, especially for a player of his caliber.

Williams is going to make the CFL very interesting this year that's for sure.

I've been getting that impression too, but for some reason, I'm a little bit skepticle.

Also - have you and your buddy decided if you're coming up to Edmonton?



J Pold - I completely agree about what the Linebackers will be doing/how they adjust for him...he won't be unstoppable, but should get some good yards. I want to see John Grace just HAMMER him when he's in town

[JayP]

Originally Posted by calf

Also - have you and your buddy decided if you're coming up to Edmonton?

Sorry for the lack of response.

For some reason I assumed we would be taking a bus up and then back later that night. Regardless, that's what I had in mind so I think I'm just going to wait off and find a bar or something that has one of those game ticket/bus ride/pitcher of beer/wings kind of deal. What section did you guys end up in - if I can't find any buses going up we'll probably try and find seats near you all.

[calf]

I'm going to make the purchase on Wednesday, so I'll let you know then.


...

[J pold]

Originally Posted by calf

J Pold - I completely agree about what the Linebackers will be doing/how they adjust for him...he won't be unstoppable, but should get some good yards. I want to see John Grace just HAMMER him when he's in town

If there is any linebacker in the league that can match up one on one with Ricky is it John Grace, same height and Ricky only has 2 pounds on him although I give Ricky the upper hand in speed Grace’s pursit game is comparable to NFL talent, as far as the Stamps Line backing core they are the best in the league and have the ability to stop Ricky but the Secondary is where Ricky can hurt the Stamps, there not one DB on the Roster other than Jermaine Chatman that could take down Ricky in a one on one situation if he starts catching passes in the flats, which he can and will do in the Argo’s offense he will make the stamps secondary look like 8 year old boys

[RougeUnderoos]

Joe Theismann was on the Fan in TO last night and he was really ripping the whole idea.

"This is a feeble excuse for the Toronto Argonauts to sell tickets," he continued. "And it's a damn shame that the Toronto Argonauts would not show a lot more class and pass on somebody who has been a repeat drug offender. To me, it's an insult to guys who put on the uniform."

I heard it on the TV. Joe was ranting like a preacher man. Kinda funny really. Does Joe expect us to believe he wasn't witness just a wee bit of drug use in the NFL in the 1980's? I wonder how he feels about Lawrence Taylor.

[JiriHrdina]

Ted Hellard was on the FAN this morning and revealed the fact that the Stamps officially protested the signing and sent a letter to the league office.

He also noted though that its the CFL's decision to make these type of decisions and the Stamps would support it.

[StrayBullet]

I always thought that improving your team and winning a championship was the primary goal for all professional sports teams ....? The CFL is getting a premiere halfback in their league. I'm guessing the defesive co-ordinators, d-lines and backs are now looking to make adjustments to their playbooks because of the calibre of player Ricky Williams is.

[moon]

Originally Posted by StrayBullet

I always thought that improving your team and winning a championship was the primary goal for all professional sports teams ....?

I would say it is but with a league like the CFL which has had a shakey financial history at best I think teams shuld consider the ramifications of their actions leaguewide as well.

I am not saying that this move will destroy the league financially, but if the Argos are paying Ricky an enormous salary that puts them over the salary cap/limit/ceiling (whatever they are calling it) after all the work the league has done in the off-season then I think it isn't worth it it to get Ricky for one season.

Also if it causes bad blood with the NFL and causes present or future agreements to be at risk. Then again I think it isn't worth it.

Ricky has the potential to be great in this league but he is realistically only going to be here for one season and has a history of flakieness that means the potential he will reach this level of play is iffy at best. I am not sure that one season of him here is worth the risk of breaking the current structure of the CFL and putting the league back a few steps after all the work that has been done lately.

Now if the NFL is coolwith Ricky playing here and the contract is legit then I am all for the Argos giving him a shot for a year.

[Resolute 14]

Well, given the CFL is already working to close the loophole that allowed Williams to sign, I suspect that either the league realizes this could create some bad PR for the league, or the NFL is putting some pressure on.

It does make sense though. Dude is suspended for taking drugs. Makes the CFL look incredibly bush league when it doesnt honor another leagues suspension.

[JayP]

Originally Posted by moon

I am not saying that this move will destroy the league financially, but if the Argos are paying Ricky an enormous salary that puts them over the salary cap/limit/ceiling (whatever they are calling it) after all the work the league has done in the off-season then I think it isn't worth it it to get Ricky for one season.

The system isn't in place yet so that's a moot point. In fact, the majority of teams are locking up their star players for lengthy contracts...all of which are front-loaded so they can get a cap discount whenever the league decides what the cap limit is (likely in time for next season).

The whole argument of honoring NFL suspensions is a tricky subject. Since there's absolutely no drug testing policy in the CFL you can stand to reason how it might be a little unfair to honor the suspension seeing as what he did is completely allowed in the CFL. Especially since many CFL players would be suspended if they played in the NFL (for commercial drug use). Someone from the Globe and Herald (LeBrun?) stated as much on the Fan the other day, with the source being an Argos coach .The fact is that many suspended NFL players have played in the CFL in past years (included Onterrio Smith, who got very little pub for being in Winnipeg while suspended) and it just took a high profile guy like Williams to bring it all out of the woodwork.

What I don't get is why so many die-hard CFL fans are so in favor of trying to seperate themselves from other football leagues and establish themselves as their own league not simply a development league for American leagues are so in favor of honoring NFL suspensions. I think it all goes back to the debate of just how good CFL players are in comparison to the NFL. Honor the suspensions and there's almost no chance of another Ricky Williams coming up north - no chance for die hard CFL fans to lose out that particular debate. Perhaps if Williams flames out the same kinds of people will be a little more accepting of suspended players.

Keep in mind this is all coming from a big CFL fan (Stamps season ticket holder). I just laugh at those who put up, IMO, futile arguments about the quality of CFL and NFL players. That's not to say there's great players in the CFL..