Ricky Williams relishes hard work

[DolFan619]

http://www.miamiherald.com/614/story/558671.html

Ricky Williams relishes hard work

By JEFF DARLINGTON
Miami Herald

Maybe his legacy already has been solidified. Maybe Dolphins running back Ricky Williams, at just 31, will never be known for anything other than his past four years.

The early retirement. The pot. The yoga. The tents in India. The philosophical beliefs. Everything that makes for cheap punch lines, even if it isn't everything that continues to define him.

''I'm more worried about my legacy in a bigger picture, as far as setting myself up for post-football,'' Williams said Wednesday after suggesting his NFL career already has been stained. ``Going back to school, getting a real job and raising my kids.''

If it sounds as if Williams has given up on football altogether, well, the controversial star might actually be more misunderstood than ever. Giving up on revitalizing a legacy is one thing. But giving up on the game itself? Not this time. Quite the opposite.

Reserve judgment if you like, but Williams is focused on doing something that could soon turn some heads and change some minds: He is returning to form.

''It's different around here,'' Williams said. ``This is the hardest I've worked. [Former] coach [Nick] Saban worked us pretty hard, but I think this new regime is making every single person on the field prove themselves.

``Not just prove they can play football -- but prove they are going to lay it on the line on a consistent basis.''

WORKING HARD

This, however, is much deeper than a simple example of the Dolphins' new hard-nosed regime motivating just another player. Williams' current surge in strength of body and mind can be credited to his own motivation as well.

The Dolphins are in the 11th week of a strictly regimented off-season program. Most of it is voluntary but is strongly suggested. Williams has yet to miss a workout, coach Tony Sparano said Wednesday.

''Within his individual drills, I see the guy working hard to get better,'' Sparano said. ``I think the guy shows up each day, and he has a purpose when he practices. He wants to get better at something each and every day. When you sit down and talk to him, he'll tell you those things.''

Williams also will remind you that he hasn't had a full offseason to prepare like this since 2004. During the 2005 offseason, he was on a sabbatical. During the 2006 offseason, he was suspended for a failed drug test.

During the 2007 offseason, he had just returned from the Toronto Argonauts but had not yet been reinstated to the NFL.

Catching the pattern?

''I feel stronger than I did,'' Williams said.

Of course, anticipating a return to greatness would be anticipating a lot. Williams, no doubt, needs as much off-season work as he can get, considering he has played in only 13 NFL games in the past four seasons.

Williams also was forced to spend the start of this year rehabilitating a torn pectoral muscle sustained during his only action last year. So should anyone really expect Williams to get back into elite form, let alone return to starting form? Maybe not.

"I'M NOT WORRIED"

Then again, when has his dramatic career ever been anything but unorthodox?

''The most important thing is to quiet the doubts in my own mind,'' said Williams when asked if he will ever be able to satisfy people who expect him to mess up again. ``For the most part, I'm not worried. I know I'm going to be there for training camp. I know I'm going to make it through the season.

``Then after the season, I'll look at my career and see which way I want to go.''

This year, Williams said, he is excited about the potential of sharing carries with Ronnie Brown, who Williams claims is ''like a brother.'' The two have been bouncing information off each other all offseason in a selfless way that has caught the coaching staff's attention.

If successful, a one-two punch between Williams and Brown (which seemed to be on the verge of working before Brown was hurt in 2005) could allow an older Williams (by NFL standards) to remain healthy and strong throughout the season.

FOCUSED

Yes, it might be a lot of hype for a player who has yet to prove reliable for a full season since before 2004. But Williams' work ethic is starting to make this potential comeback simply too difficult to ignore.

His legacy? Maybe it's too late to change that. Then again, maybe it's not.

''I just don't worry too much about it,'' Williams said. ``I just go out there and try to play football and let the legacy take care of itself.

``I just want to make sure I don't do anything to make it any worse.''

A good place to start, for sure.

[YoFuggedaboutit]

Oh he'll change his legacy all right with a breakout season.  As soon as he busts off a 50 yard TD run against the Jets on opening day, all will be forgiven. 

[DZA]

Still Love ya Ricky .  Good luck this season