Would you take a 2002 Ricky Williams or a 2009 Ronnie Brown? After a lot of thought I chose Ricky. Don't get me wrong, I am a big fan of Ronnie. I love what he brings to this offense. I love the wild cat, I love versatility, I love the way he runs. But the 2002 Ricky, wow. That guy was a hard nose, down hill, punch you right in the mouth runner. He was fast and strong as an ox. Very exciting runner. I found I enjoyed our running game a lot more than I do now. I still enjoy our running game and I wouldn't trade Ronnie for the world. I was just a very big Ricky fan.
Well, I kinda agree with you Felly S, in 2002 the Dolphins could ride Ricky Williams, he was more of 'the offense" than Ronnie B has been. And I like them both a ton, the thing of it is "us" fans had better enjoy this combination because who knows when we will have 2 1,000 yd backs in the same backfield again?
2002 Ricky Williams hands down. I love Ronnie Brown but had Ricky not his problems, we'd be talking about a possible hall of famer.
Part of the problem is, him being used the way he was in 2002 and 2003 is the reason that all happened. He was being run into the ground.
This is not an indictment against Brown but.... Ricky Williams circa 2002, without a doubt. Not many backs in the history of the league can say they had a better year that Ricky's '02 campaign.
Ricky was the best running back in the league that year. Ronnie might be top 10, anyone says ronnie their loco The only one that might have came close is the 07 Ronnie. Despite us going 1-16 had he not gotten hurt he might have top 2300 total yards
Ricky was a beast plain and simple! He played so well that the price we paid seemed a deal at the time. Curious, of those picks we handed the Saints are they still with the team? I don't know if I ever cared to know.
2002 Ricky and it's not even close. I love Ronnie, but he just doesn't have the consistency that 2002 Ricky had.
2002 Ricky. Easily the best season in franchise history. Remember, Ricky also had 47 catches that year. And he was an absolute homerun hitter. He had that extra gear that Ronnie simply does not. Oh, and I can recall a few big blocks on third down. Sent from my HERO200 using Tapatalk
I will be the dissenting voice.Ronnie is the more versatile back .He is a better receiver,a better power back ,a better leader and team player . I think Ricky is the better edge runner. The 2002 team was built around Ricky as the feature back .He had an outstanding year. This offense is different .Its tough to compare players from different offensive schemes. If I had my druthers I would druther have Ronnie. [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdZGyuf21Qg&feature=player_embedded"]YouTube- Ronnie Brown favorites[/ame] [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SY932SGiTtU&feature=player_embedded"]YouTube- Ronnie Brown as a receiver[/ame] [ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YlbdUhZDbs&feature=player_embedded"]YouTube- Ronnie Brown as a power runner[/ame]
I will take a 2010 Ronnie Brown AND a 2010 Ricky Williams over either a 2009 Ronnie Brown OR a 2002 Ricky Williams.
Gotta be 2002 Ricky by a long shot. Everyone knew 34 was getting the ball but he still ran over people.
That's not the question, though. I would take the 2002 Ricky Williams. Teams knew we were gonna run, and he still averaged 4.8 YPC.
This is a no-brainer. Ricky 100%...... (is it me or do I sense agreement among us. How`d that happen?)
If you're offering 2002 Ricky you should be offering Ronnie when he was at his best which was 2007 (when healthy obviously). Ricky would probably hold the slight edge in that case, but barely. You may cite Ricky being able to carry a team, but the 2002 Miami defense gave up 9 less pts a game and 50 less yards a game. If Miami had that defense in 2007 (and Ronnie stayed healthy) I don't think this choice would be easy at all. Hell, had Ronnie stayed healthy in 2007 even with the 2007 D I'm not sure the choice would be easy.
Partially, though, it is. You like the 2002 Ricky Williams at 4.8 yards per carry. Well, the 2009 Ricky Williams averaged 4.7 yards per carry. If the 2010 Ricky Williams performs close to the same level, I'd take him over Ronnie by a very slight margin, because Ronnie appears more subject to injury. Now imagine the 2010 Ricky AND the 2010 Ronnie Brown, if he's back 100%. That's the beauty of it -- we don't have to choose between them. We have both. Now. If one gets hurt, the other's there. I'm excited. The thread's question points to an embarassment of riches.
Yeah ... I think to compare apples to apples, you'd have to consider how the 2007 Ronnie would do in 2002 versus the 2002 Ricky in 2007/9. The biggest difference I'd see is how would people view the 2007 Ronnie in that 2002 offense. I think Ronnie would be an absolute beast.
Ronnie led the NFL in first downs, and was near the top in TDs before being injured. Ricky only had 16 TDs that year, which is nothing compared to LaDainian Tomlinson, Priest Holmes, Shawn Alexander in terms of house calls. Ronnie was on pace for 1500 yards and 20 tds this year while sharing the load.
I love Ronnie and hope he remains a Dolphin but I really can't argue agains't the 2002 Ricky Williams. If he hadn't have had the melt down he may have been close to being the best running back ever. Wannstedt ran him into the ground which really affected Rickys attitude and mental state and he hasn't been the same since. Ricky was also the MVP of the Pro Bowl that year. If Ronnie would have a good healthy season he could make all of us rethink our opinions.
Mark Clayton in 1984 might have just as much claim to that title. Jason Taylor in 2006 might have a claim as well.
I love me some Ronnie Brown, but 2002 Ricky is head and shoulders the best runing back in the istory of this franchise, hands down. He was unstoppable, he took the team on his back and we rode him into the ground. Ronnie showed in 2007 he COULD be as good or better in adding up his versatility as a power back and as a receiver, but Ricky in 2002 was just a monster, and Ronnie hasn't proven he can go a full season yet.
IMO people over romanticize RW's 2002 season. He finished with 1853 yards with a 4.8 average. If you add in his receiving yardage he totaled 2216 yards. In 2007, Ronnie Brown was on pace to finish with 2265 total yards and his rushing average was 5.1. I also think RW benefitted from a better OL. Now I think it does matter that RW was able to stay healthy, but during their time on the field RB was more productive. And for those who are claiming RW's season was among the best ever... Chris Johnson was better this season. He had more yards and a better average. L.T. had almost as many rushing yards a better average and more total yards in 2006. Shaun Alexander and Tiki Barber had more rushing yards and better averages in 2005. Jamal Lewis and Ahman Green had more rushing yards and better averages in 2003. Priest Holmes had a better rushing average and more total yards in 2002. That's seven backs who had better seasons just since 2002. IMO there have been several Dolphins, other than Marino, who have had better seasons at their respective positions.
I would humbly submit durability as a factor. 2009 Ronnie only played 9 games. 2007 Ronnie played 7. 2002 Ricky played all 16 and had 430 touches. 111 more than Ronnie's '07/'09 combined. Despite the pounding, Ricky was still strong in Week 17, going for 185 yards and 2 TD's with the division on the line at New England. Too bad Norville went away from the run late. 2002 Ricky was also Pro Bowl MVP. Even forced a fumble on special teams that day! 2007 Ronnie could have been 'that guy' though. Would have loved to have seen what he might have done. That said, I don't believe Ronnie was as physically explosive as 2002 Ricky, nor a more powerful runner. There was simply more violence in 2002 Ricky's game.
I mentioned that above and agree it is a factor. I just don't see how that alone makes RW the easy or no-brainer choice.
Ronnie may be a much more versatile back than Ricky, but Ricky is still a much better classic halfback. The 2002 campaign he had was almost historical. As far as Ronnie goes, I think his best season was 2008 when we first unleashed the Wildcat. 5 Tds against a still good Patriot's D was awesome.
I care about a balanced team. But running back is certainly less valuable since it's such a fungible position. WRs are a core position. And yes production matters, but the point is that RW's production was not as extraordinary or historic as many make it out to be.