Training Camp Primer: Burning Question #3 - Ricky & Ronnie

by Matty I on Jul 18, 2008 12:15 AM EDT in News

Yesterday we continued with our "5 burning questions" for training camp by talking about the QB situation. Incase you missed that, you can check it out here.

Today, as we move along with our "burning questions," we look at another very important aspect of this year's offense: the running back situation; and in particular, Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams.

We all remember how great Ronnie Brown was last year before his injury. He was finally playing like the #2 overall pick. Oh, and I partly blame myself for Ronnie's injury. Why? In the week leading up to the Pats game, I posted a new box in the site's sidebar called "Ronnie Watch" - which listed the top 5 players in yards from scrimmage last year and was supposed to be updated throughout the regular season as Ronnie looked to lead the league in total yards. Of course, the very next game, we all remember what happened. So yes, I apologize. My bad. But considering Brown was the only reason to watch Dolphin games last year, you can't blame me for featuring him on the site in some way. But damn, I sure did jinx him a bit, didn't I?

Anyways, Ronnie's comeback from a torn ACL will certainly be a key to the Dolphins' success in 2008. And while Ronnie says his comeback is going great and he's sure he'll be ready for camp, it's great to hear that Brown has reached out to other running backs who have gone through this to heed their warnings. While some might worry about Ronnie pushing himself too hard simply because he's a hard-working guy who has a desire to be on the field, I'm not too worried. I trust Ronnie. He seems like a smart guy, a mature player. And I think he'll be careful not to push himself too hard too early.

Enter Ricky Williams.

Some people - particularly non-Dolphin fans - might have forgotten about him considering he has just 6 carries over the past 2 years. But reports from non-contact mini-camp practices claim that Ricky has looked like the best player on the team. But again, those are very early reports. We need to wait and see what happens once the pads come on and the hitting starts.

Of course, those early encouraging reports are the main reason that Ronnie won't be the only closely watched running back in Davie this summer. Ricky will garner a lot of attention. In fact, he already has. Former NFL GM and current CBS analyst Charley Casserly says of Williams, after watching him practice a few times:

''I have to say, watching him practice, I was very impressed with his quickness, his explosion, his effort. The guy jumped out at you, watching him out there.''

So now as we turn our attention to full-contact practices in training camp, Charley provides us with some things to watch in terms of trying to decide if Ricky is indeed in store for a solid season in Miami. He tells the Miami Herald:

"The points to look at will be, one, there will be a learning curve. That goes for Ronnie Brown, too. It's a new offense. So there's a learning curve he'll go through hitting the holes with the new offensive line."

"Then he's got to get his legs back under him, he's got to get the speed of the game back. So if I'm watching him, half the time I'd be trying to figure out if he's still getting used to the system or is it him trying to get his legs back under him and where he is in his career."

"The next thing I would look for are burst and explosion. Does he have the explosion on contact where he still can knock guys back and then burst with speed? If you see that, then things are coming together. If you don't see that, then age caught up with him."

So can Ronnie Brown return from his torn ACL as quickly as he seems to be and be an effective runner all season long? Can Ricky Williams once again, thanks to hard work and the right mindset, be able to regain his old form and be a force at running back while splitting duties with Ronnie? These are the burning questions that training camp will help answer.

The success of these 2 players will obviously have a major impact on this team. It's no secret that Tony Sparano and Dan Henning will look to employ more of a power ground attack this year - partly to help protect whoever the starting QB is, but also because the strength of this offensive line is clearly run-blocking.

Can Ricky and Ronnie handle the pressure and be successful as the focal point of Miami's offense? We'll find out soon enough...

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Another not so burning question

Who will emerge as the #3 back?

I have no questions about Ricky’s ability. He’s a Heisman winner and a natrual running back. He seems recommitted to football. Hitting won’t phase him. We’ll probably see Ricky carrying the ball a lot more than Brown at least through the first half of the season.

Hopefully Ronnie sticks to his rehab the entire season to get back to form.

by gophish on Jul 18, 2008 2:44 AM EDT 0 recs

i don't see why not...

I think though we are focusing too much on the running backs in Miami. We need to figure out another way to move the chains on 2nd and third downs. We have to stop opposing teams from stacking the box, and honing in on our two headed monster. Hopefully we can convert some first downs with one of our new tight ends, or maybe Wilford could move the chains by shielding the ball from some Db’s with his massive body, and pretty reliable hands.

Everyone and their mother knows that we are a run-first team. We have been that way since Jimmy Johnson was here. Something needs to change in my point of view. We have the burner on the outside. We’ve got the big, physical possession receiver opposite him. We have the R & R express in the backfield. And now we have a young, talented, and healthy line to block.

What we need is a play making tight end to open up the middle of the field, and force one of the linebackers to cover them. Do you honestly think that Adalius Thomas, or Kavika Mitchell, could keep up with a tight end if they run a fly route right up the seam? Hell no, and that is what we need to draft next year, or maybe find another one through waiver cuts, and implement that into the passing game right away.

We have all the tools to be successful on offense. The key is to being able to use them at the right time, or situation. Open that playbook up DAMMIT!!!!!

Now is the time- the time to rise up from the depths of Hell and stake our claim back on top of the AFC East...Look out Gaytriots here comes Jake Long and the Phins

by FinzD54 on Jul 18, 2008 6:44 AM EDT 0 recs

Parcells had a habit of wanting to go deep

So I can expect some more deep passes this year.

by Patssuck456 on Jul 18, 2008 1:24 PM EDT up 0 recs

Believe it

If we dont open the play book then we run the risk of turning into the 2002/3 fins again. While its fantastic that Ricky broke all sorts of running records for us then it was still amazingly predictible football….run Ricky right…run Ricky left…run Ricky center…punt…repeat and hope for one of those 40 yard breakouts he would have every few series. While its a given that with no stablity at QB and a non-existant vertical game plan in the past plus a seemingly strong run blocking O-line we fall into the predictiblity of a run first-run last team. My fervent hope is to see the Fins start to stretch the field while pounding it down our opponents throats. Physical and mental toughness has been sorely lacking on the Dolphins for so long that even with a lousy record this comming season…if I just saw them prove they can be a tough nasty hard team again I would weep with joy. While I dont really care about the record this comming season (of course I would love to see something amazing…who wouldnt??) I desperately want to see the improvement. I dont mind being beaten in a game but I HATE to lose a game. We have seen all too many games lost over the past five years because we couldnt or wouldnt adapt…anybody remember a 4th quarter Jets comback??? I NEVER WANT TO SEE A DOLPHINS TEAM LOOSE LIKE THAT AGAIN!!!!

by unklphinnie on Jul 18, 2008 9:11 AM EDT 0 recs

Matty posed the question:

“Can Ricky and Ronnie handle the pressure and be successful as the focal point of Miami’s offense?”

Answer: They better or else it is going to be a long, losing season.

If Ricky & Ronnie aren’t having decent productivity then I would bet you’ll see our QB’s (all of them) struggle. We are just trying to find 1 QB who can be solid as a starter – you cannot regularly ask that QB to carry the team on their backs because the running game isn’t working.

Ricky is older and because of his absences and time away – he has to prove he can still be a consistent, productive back. Ronnie we know is productive and consistent, but that was before his injury.

by Natalya on Jul 18, 2008 9:54 AM EDT 0 recs

I think they are going to be fine.

Ricky isn’t THAT old. And he has natural talent. And he has progressively gotten better each year that he has been in the league (can’t count CFL or last season), due mainly to experience. His experience will compensate somewhat for any decrease in speed. I trust Ricky’s ability. I am still skeptical about his reliability.
Ronnie is a toss up, but I think recent comebacks in recent years from similar injuries give him a slight edge in favor of a successful return. It may take until next season before he rounds into shape, though.
I am with you all the way about the ripple effect it will have on the team if Ronnie/Ricky (either/or/both) can’t step out week 1 and carry the ball 20-25 times a game with success. We need that running game to help both the new O-line, and the new QB develop.
If I placed a wager, I would say that we have a pretty good shot at SOMEONE stepping up in the running game. You’ve said it yourself in the past, Nat… the RB position is one of the easier ones to fill. :)

-LCFF

by LeftCoastFinFan on Jul 18, 2008 11:49 AM EDT up 0 recs

I think the guy is ready

The first half of the season i can see rickey getten most of the carriers and then it switches off little by little.But i also like the competion cuz now none of the players can feel comfortable.1 there playen for a new contract,2 there playen to see whos gonna be the starter in the future,3 there playen to see which one can step up and be the better player and also the offensive captain.Rickey has the age and ronnie has the experience..

by lionel on Jul 18, 2008 9:59 AM EDT 0 recs

Hope so!

How awesome would it be if Ricky did turn into the mature seasoned responsible veteran leader we all wish he would be? I hope to Tuna that we bring Ronnie back smart. ACL’s are rough to come back from and I hope that we are smart enough to save Ronnie from the compitition. We all know that in time he can return to the pro-bowl level he was at early last year lets give him the time to get there and lean on Ricky for now. I cant fathom a redecitcated Ricky not being great.

Rebuilding sucks…till you win!

by unklphinnie on Jul 18, 2008 10:49 AM EDT 0 recs

Ricky, in top form, is the most interesting ...

back to watch in recent memory, and i cant wait to see him tearing it up again at last…seriously, i havent enjoyed a back so much since the likes of barry sanders & walter payton, and this one happens to be a fin… i just hope he can overcome his ‘demons’

by Krab on Jul 18, 2008 12:17 PM EDT 0 recs

I liked to watch Bo Jackson also.

tragically short career. he was pretty amazing.

-LCFF

by LeftCoastFinFan on Jul 18, 2008 7:24 PM EDT up 0 recs

Re: Rickey and Ronnie

We really need to curb our enthusiasm for either of these guys until they start getting it done on the field.

While it’s not unprecedented, RB’s generally have a slow comeback season after sustaining a torn ACL.

Seems like a lot of Dolphin fans were chirping about Dante Culpepper’s miraculous comeback a couple of seasons ago and he was a huge disappointment because he never came back healthy.

I have no confidence in Rickey Williams at all. He’s let the team and fans down too many times since he donned the Phins’ uniform.

He’s got a lot to prove on that field before he turns me into a believer.

by anaconda on Jul 18, 2008 5:53 PM EDT 0 recs