Ricky Williams is retiring

[Winskins]

Can anyone say "made for tv movie" ?

[skinsfanthru&thru]

a trade between minnesota and miami would make a lot of sense with minn. darn good depth at rb, but a cheap pick up who could fill a similar type of role as williams if healthy could be James Stewart. If I were phins management I'd try to trade for either michael bennet of the vikes or anthony thomas of the bears plus a second or third round choice with either player.

about the sanders thing, when does his contract with the lions end or is it finally a dead contract?

[That Guy]

Ricky did screw by not mentioning he was considering leaving earlier, if just to the coach or GM... may still have leaked, but at least they'd be able to draft or trade and keep the season together.

[That Guy]

err, thats screw up, sorry... and shaq is really a prett decent guy from everything i've heard, that's cool that he'd do that.

[SKINSnCANES]

Originally Posted by skinsfanthru&thru

a trade between minnesota and miami would make a lot of sense with minn. darn good depth at rb, but a cheap pick up who could fill a similar type of role as williams if healthy could be James Stewart. If I were phins management I'd try to trade for either michael bennet of the vikes or anthony thomas of the bears plus a second or third round choice with either player.

about the sanders thing, when does his contract with the lions end or is it finally a dead contract?

The vikings wouldnt get rid of Bennet I dont think. Maybe Moe Williams though. One of my professors is like a step dad or somethign to Moe, he would always brag how he doesnt get any credit, but every start he has had he got 100 yards or more. The guys definitly a trooper.

[Daseal]

Moe Williams was phenominal last year. He's an older dude but still has it in him. He regularly put up BIG numbers for both of my fantasy leagues. Probably my most consistant performer, and I had LT in one league and Stephen Davis in another.

[MTK]

From what I've heard about Bennett, the Vikes are really high on him bouncing back strong this year and expect him to be their workhorse. I doubt they'd move him.

[Hogskin]

I don't really think James Stewart is anyone's answer at RB. He couldn't even keep a job with Detroit's pitiful "O". And MINN is not going to trade Bennett - right now they expect him to carry the load at RB. The other guys they have are not going to bring much value.

[SmootSmack]

I would think Onterrio Smith would be the Vikings back traded

[SmootSmack]

By the way, this is probably nothing more than just a coincidence. But does anyone have a theory as to why whenever an NFL player retires "early" it's always a running back; Jim Brown, Robert Smith, Barry Sanders, Ricky Wiliams?

Is running back the most physically and mentally challenging position? Is that why?

[illdefined]

Originally Posted by smootsmack

By the way, this is probably nothing more than just a coincidence. But does anyone have a theory as to why whenever an NFL player retires "early" it's always a running back; Jim Brown, Robert Smith, Barry Sanders, Ricky Wiliams?

Is running back the most physically and mentally challenging position? Is that why?

good question. prolly is the most physically demanding, running headlong into guys bigger than you, with a huge target on your chest. practically every down (if you're a star back like these guys ALL were).

i'd say that and the singular pressure put on you second only to the QB. there is more than one WR in an offense, but only one 'real' back

[That Guy]

they get the crap beat out of them and break down pretty fast... i imagine at some point a person would get tired of it, or get too old for it. speed, strength, and reaction time gets worse too as you age, and i imagine they're more important for RBs then just about anyone else...

or maybe all the knocks just does something to them... I mean, if mike tyson hit my head twice i'm sure i wouldn't be thinking straight for very long...

[skinsfanthru&thru]

Originally Posted by Hogskin

I don't really think James Stewart is anyone's answer at RB. He couldn't even keep a job with Detroit's pitiful "O". And MINN is not going to trade Bennett - right now they expect him to carry the load at RB. The other guys they have are not going to bring much value.

He lost his job due to a severely dislocated shoulder injury in the last preseason game of 2003. He has a career 4yard per carry average and fits the mold of a similar style back as williams. So if healthy he could be a cheap plug in for atleast this year.

Originally Posted by SKINSnCANES

The vikings wouldnt get rid of Bennet I dont think. Maybe Moe Williams though. One of my professors is like a step dad or somethign to Moe, he would always brag how he doesnt get any credit, but every start he has had he got 100 yards or more. The guys definitly a trooper.

But with Minnesotta's depth at rb, it wouldn't be a complete suprise if they traded bennet because both williams(moe) and smith filled in incredibly well last year for them and I think they'd do quite a bit if they could strenghten their defense.
Overall I think they'll go with someone they can get out of the pretty thin free agent pool so as not to give up a player or pick(they just lost 2 1st rounders for williams for only 2 years of performance w/o making the playoffs in either year) or just totally switch around their offensive mind set and practically throw 60-70% of the time.

[skinsfanthru&thru]

Originally Posted by smootsmack

By the way, this is probably nothing more than just a coincidence. But does anyone have a theory as to why whenever an NFL player retires "early" it's always a running back; Jim Brown, Robert Smith, Barry Sanders, Ricky Wiliams?

Is running back the most physically and mentally challenging position? Is that why?

I gotta say the toughest position physically is either running back or lineman(defensive or offensive). RB's r getting hit normally while going full speed and btheir being hit by someone else going full speed. Lineman have to worry about constant chips and stepping on one person's foot the wrong way can completely blow out your ankle,knee, hip or a combination of the 3 and others.
I know I for one am glad I gave up dreams to play professionally and instead lended became an armchair qb,lol.

[Riggo44]

Thanks God we passed on him!!!