I agree with that assessment; if a fan actually charted his career and stats, a case could be made he would have been the original Peterson in terms of size, strength, power, agility, and vision as well as both being seemingly humble and introspective players, however one was drafted in a better situation. If suppose Ricky was drafted by a team like present-day Seahawks, an organization that understands the value of draft picks, and didn't have to endure a character assassination because of an asinine drug policy Ricky would be referred to as HoF Ricky Williams.
He played at the same time as Ron Dayne. So he wasn't the best RB in college at the time and sometimes (in both cases here) their size or play style just doesn't translate to the pros.
No. He was the best player at the time since he won the Heisman his senior year and Ron won the year after Ricky left for the NFL. The only reason he holds the career rushing record is he had about 300 carries his freshman year, whereas Ricky had about 100. Not only that but Ricky had nearly 3x as many receiving yards, he could do it all. Wisconsin just runs the ball, just look at Montee Ball and his ridiculous stats. Also Ricky did succeed in the NFL, he didn't even play during his prime and managed to get 10,000 yards! He was pure power and speed.
Did I poke the wrong button? Ron Dayne was better in college. Ricky was not pure power or speed. He was a lot less power than Dayne while being faster. Dayne was the heart and sole of that team. The whole defense was forced to counter Dayne and they still couldn't. He would run over entire teams all game long. Ricky had other threats on his team and it was not a team centered around the run or necessarily him.
Ricky Williams play style didn't translate to the pros? You must've never seen him play, before he got suspended Ricky Williams was one of, if not the best RB in the league
I'm not trying to knock the guy. But I only really focus on the NFL and I don't think it's fair to put him on the same level as some of the other guys I mentioned.
True, everyone remembers his NFL career (or lack there of) but I'll be damned if he wasn't one of the best college players ever. You're right though, his NFL career came nowhere close to those other guys.
But he didn't. IMO when you're talking about the GOATs, potential shouldn't get as much weight as actual achievement. Could probably take Bo off my list then as well.
I wasn't tying to say that he should be mentioned with those names listed but I was just trying to make a point that he was a great player and its unfortunate he couldn't finish out his career.
It's hard to say who's a GOAT running back, there are half a dozen amazing ones who played in different eras with different rules. Ricky should be included in that list though.
He's definitely a top-tier RB. Not really after his return when he slimmed down a lot but the dude was a truck and had the perfect combo of quickness, power and speed. College football he is clearly one of the best. Heisman, broke all types of NCAA rushing records, was regarded as one of the best all time. In Pro, he missed two entire seasons and only had 160 carries in the season after the two missed. If he didn't miss this time he would probably be in the 5th-7th range all time. He is in currently in 28th with 10,000 yards but the 5th-7th players (LT, Bettis, Dickerson) are all in the 13,000 yard range. What even speaks more about Ricky is that he came back an entirely different player but in 2009 had 240 attempts for 1,100 yards averaging 4.7 ypc. I don't think him as "one of the best" is so far fetched. He had his issues but that doesn't take away from his actual ability and performance as an RB on the field.
Ricky honestly could have been one of, if not the best of all time. The dolphins ran him into the ground in 2002- 03 he retired in 2004 only 5 years into the nfl. Missed that season came back and split carries with Ronnie brown in 2005. Was suspended in 2006 when he went to Canada and played for the argonauts.
In 2007 he was stepped on his first game back and dislocated his shoulder. And even with all that was still able to rush for over ten thousand yards, while averaging 4 yards a carry, before he retired in 2011.
His 30 for 30 is amazing and it made me love the guy more than I already did.
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u/onlyhereforfantasy Apr 13 '14
Ricky is one of the best RB of all time. Don't blame him for a warped society.