In a word.... yes.

 

Sure...if he had his priorities straight and was focused on football he could have been one of the best ever.

 

I think if he'd have ended up on a decent team from the start his chances would have greatly improved.

 

Yes. He was killer for Miami those two years. The Jets only beat Miami once out of the four games when he was there as the best RB in the league not named Tomlinson. Seeing as how the Jets have won 17 of the last 22 meetings, thats a pretty big number (3 of 4) that Ricky was bascially the lone reason for. I remember being in FL on vacation the day he just suddenly retired and running outside cheering in my Jet jersey. :lol:

 

Yes, had his heart been in the game rather than getting high.

 

Absolutely no doubt about it.

 

could he? i'm pretty sure he's already a lock.

 

?

we are thinking 2 different Ricky Williams here? theres 0 chance ricky makes the HOF.

also, he was the best RB in the league for a couple seasons. i think yes, i think he would have had one.

 

He could have if not for injuries and Wannstedt running him into the ground in 2002. He clearly wasn't the same running back in 2003 despite his 1300 yards rushing.

 

maybe this will change ur mind......

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Irous3jBt04"]YouTube - Miami Dolphins Wildcat: Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams[/ame]

 

lol seriously?

maybe your confused about what the Hall of Fame is and who gets in there. 650 yards and the wildcat does not

 

:pity: Sorry but he could of been a hall of famer, he blew it though.

 

If you measure that by the rushing record, it's unlikely he would have hit it. He just got too late a start out of college and into the pros for that to happen for him. Smith had a one year jump on his comparatively, and that one year is big.

 

I'd take Adrian Peterson right now over Ricky in 2003.

 

IMO Dave Wannstadt just ground Ricky into the dust, both physically and emotionally.

With a coaching staff with a more open and imaginative offense Ricky could have been one of the greatest ever. Larry Csonka had Morris and Kiick help shoulder the load and Griese throwing downfield to Warfield stopping the opposing D sticking 9 men in the box.

 

not really good arguements. Adrian has missed 2 games his first 2 seasons in the NFL. Ricky missed 10 games his first 2 seasons with injuries. and ricky had a very good run blocking line in 2002. ADs line was certainly not the best last year.

btw, ricky being the best back of all time is kinda ridiculous IMO. he could of been a great one. but even if he continued his career with Miami with great success, i find it hard to believe he would of put up the kind of production necessary to be in the Jim Brown, Barry Sanders, and Walter Payton league. i mean, he would of had to put up monster numbers for 5 or 6 more years to even been considered, which isnt likely at the number of carries he would of continued to get.

 

Wannstache is one of the biggest reasons that Ricky retired. He was complaining about the number of times that he was being used.

 

I dont know how much really he had to do with it honestly. He doesn't like being in the spotlight, he doesn't like being the star player, I think this time around has worked out so well for him because he's not even the premere back anymore.

 

Yes!!! If only.....

 

No.

Ricky's production in 2002 and 2003 was a paradox. He was so successful because his carry total was ultimately unsustainable. He carried the ball 383 and 392 times in 2002 and 2003. No back other than Eric Dickerson has been able to have that many rushes and still be successful.

Read this, its very interesting: http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stat-analysis/2004/ricky-williams-retires

Bottom line: if Ricky hadn't retired, it is most likely that he woulda fallen off a cliff in 2004. That means no HOF for Ricky anyway.

 

1st 5 years in the league:

Ricky Williams: 70 games, 1589 carries for 6354 yards

Emmitt Smith: 77 games, 1630 carries for 7183 yards

 

Next 4 years after that:

Ricky: 334 carries for 1417 yards

Emmit: 1284 carries for 5383 yards

 

No chance ricky makes the HOF. There's a lot of speculation if he could have if he had a good career, the fact is, and what they vote on is ... he didn't. Yes he had 2 good years. But that doesn't get you in the hall, and it certainly doesn't even make you remotley comparable to the backs that are in the hall.

Having talent and production for 2 years doesnt' get you in. Fact is we all know how talented he was. He showed it in Texas and really showed it in the NFL for the first few seasons.

But you can't convince me he will even have a remote chance of making it based on how his career actually went. SUbstance abuse, fined money and games, early retirement.

He'll never get in, but he's the only one to blame for that, because early on, he had a really good chance to contribute to the nfl both on and off the field, in a manner that would have made him a first ballot HOF'er.

And i really like Ricky and respect what he has done after his initiall mistake and overcome over his whole career. I just will never believe the voters for the hall would see how he overcame his off field issues.

 

RW had the physical ability to have a HOF career but frankly so do many players. There are probably a couple of dozen backs, not in the HOF, who were HOF good for a few years. However, other than Gayle Sayers, sustainability is what makes what makes a back HOF worthy.

And I don't think it's Wannstedt's or anybody else's fault other than RW.

 

I don't think anybody is arguing that his career was HOF worthy. I believe the thread starters question was whether RW had the ability to have a HOF career.

 

I dont' think anyone doubts his ability, that was never in question in my mind, as he did translate it to the nfl from college he could be a very productive RB.

But the hall isn't just about ability. It about A LOT of microscoped factors. And well ricky's ability was good, but almost everything else wasn't.

 

He had one great statistical season. The rest is head scratching average, and mostly incomplete.

He was a really special Rb but I don't think he sniffs even the doorstep of getting nominated to get voted.

 

what? did u even see his TD run vs Seattle this year. I think I've made my case.

He isn't retired yet. Just think of what else he can still do.

If Ronnie Brown can make the Pro Bowl for one great game. Then Ricky should make the Hall of Fame for one great season.

 

:shifty:

 

I think it's the opposite. I don't think anyone thinks he's had a HOF career. The ability, on the other hand, is in doubt. Especially if you consider being able to play as he did for a long enough period as part of "ability".

That's what I think the thread starter was asking. Maybe he'll post a clarification.

 

Ricky had everything, he was so much like Earl Campbell.

 

The only person who should be asking that question is Ricky Williams. He made his decisions and now has to live with them.

 

And he has, IMO. He plays for the money. I think he has never been in it for the stardom or the success.

 

That is very true, he said it himself it is about the money. But as long as he plays at a high level I dont care about his reasons. 09 will likely be his last year as a Dolphin anyhow so enjoy the rollor coaster that has been RW.

 

to dispute the quote in your post, no back in this system is going to put up the gaudy numbers that Williams had. we share the load, and it will pro-long our back's careers.

that said, williams without doubt, could've been a HOF, if things played out differently. Williams and Bo, will always strike me as the two that could've really earned a spot at the top among Barry, Walter, and Jim.

 

I think this is a very legit arguement and i really think that he was on pase to put up some HoF numbers. So yes, i do believe he could have had one.

 

no not what you said dude... what you quoted. the quote about not coming close to putting up those numbers, since 02-03. no one will be putting up 1800 yards in Miami is my point, because we split the load too much...which is a good thing.