THE NEWS According to the Miami Herald, an arbitrator ruled on Friday that retired running back Ricky Williams will be forced to pay back $8.6 million in incentives and signing bonuses to the Dolphins. The NFL Players Association confirmed the decision. Earlier on Friday, it was revealed that Williams will likely file for bankruptcy, which essentially means the Dolphins aren't likely to get the full amount back, and also would effectively end the relationship between Ricky and the team. He could become a free agent once this is all said and done, but even if he wanted to make a comeback, many complications remain before Williams could. ************************ All because he couldn't put the reefer away... I love it! Karma in action...
I dont see why he would become a free agent....Barry Sanders still isnt a free agent after walking away from the Lions and being forced to return $7mil+ in signing bonus....the Dolphins can put him on the reserved/retired list and hold his rights indefinitely until he fulfills the rest of the deal that he signed with the Saints....its all for minimum salaries too, so hes not gonna get paid anytime soon.....if he files for bankruptcy, which is expected, he will have to liquidate most of his assets to pay as much as possible to his creditors, primarily the Dolphins.....
If I'm the Dolphins, I think I trade Williams's rights to the Raiders for whatever I can get...even if it's a fifth rounder and/or a seventh rounder. Just take the money and wash your hands of the affair. Screw him...
I just read the story that suggest Ricky could be a free agent. The agent seems to think that filing for bankruptcy will void Rickys contract and leave him free to sign with any team. Of course, there is no legal precedence for this within the history of the league and there is no way the NFL would allow it to be set. What can the NFL do to deter Ricky Williams from going down that path? They can suspend him indefinetly....the stage of the drug program that Ricky is in if he returns before next season requires a minimum of a 1 year suspension, but you have to apply for reinstatement after that....the NFL could refuse to reinstate him based on his admittance that he used masking agents to skirt the drug screening....the Dolphins will never recover much of the money owed to them, but they will get the salary cap space back, and at least thats something....
If I were The Dolphins, I'd place him on the reserved/retired list after his suspension was served until I could find a team that would be taking the most monumental chance ever. I would not settle for a mid to low pickbut would not expect to get 2 #1's like Spielman has suggested. Though, a 2nd and 5th over two years would be equitable. Also, I would not reward him by trading him to Oakland like he wants.
