Ricky Runs - To Baltimore
BALTIMORE (CBSMiami) - Run, Ricky, Run -- to Baltimore. That's where Ricky Williams will be playing this fall, after the former Dolphins running back signed a two year deal with the Ravens Monday, pending passing a physical.
According to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk, the deal is a two-year contract "worth up to $4 million."
Williams was officially a Dolphin since 2002, when he was traded by the New Orleans Saints. However, his career was marred by sabbaticals, suspensions, and an attempt at retirement.
Williams ended his career with the Dolphins after the 2010 season, when he rushed for 673 yards and two touchdowns. He averaged 4.2 yards a carry.
At the end of the season, he said he felt it was time to leave Miami, where his stay was turbulent at best.
Williams ends his Miami career as the team's #2 running back, behind the legendary Larry Csonka. He ran for 6,436 years in a Dolphins uniform, and is credited with 48 touchdowns.
Fans loved him, until he stunned them by announcing he was retiring just before the 2004 season as he faced suspension for a violation of the NFL drug policy.
Threats by the Dolphins to demand the return of his hefty salary finally were resolved when Williams took back the retirement, returned to the team, and served a 4 game suspension in 2005.
Another run-in with the drug policy bounced him for the entire 2006 season, and for the first 9 games of the 2007 season. The one game he played ended his season with a torn muscle.
His career rebounded for the next 2 seasons, as he worked hard to recapture past glory. His play and hard work repaired the rift with the fans and with his teammates, who names him their player representative for 2010.
However, with the middle-of-the pack 2010 season and the end of his deal, the Dolphins decided to look elsewhere at running back.
Free to make a new deal, Williams will be reunited with former Dolphins coach Cam Cameron, now serving as Baltimore's offensive coordinator.
