| A Ricky Williams doesn’t come
around every day. In fact, he is in a class by himself. A draft class, that is. When the
Saints traded eight draft picks (Nos.1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 of this year and Nos. 1 and 3 of
2000) to acquire Williams, he became the first one-man draft class in league history. He
arrived none too soon to the Big Easy, as the Saints’ running game of late has been
anything but dominant. In ’98, New Orleans finished dead last in the NFL in rushing
with an average of 83 yards a game. It has also been a long time since the team has had a
true marquee player.
Heavy is the head that wears the crown. Luckily, dreadlocks are a lot lighter. Fully
aware of all the ballyhoo surrounding what the organization has sacrificed for his
services, Williams, complete with tattoos, distinctive hairstyle and a contagious smile,
emphatically denies feeling any pressure.
"No, not at all," he said. "I just go out there, and I realize how much
fun it is and how fortunate I am to be playing. Every game is the most fun ever; it’s
all so much fun."
What hasn’t been fun for Williams is a string of injuries that have limited his
playing time. He had had only nine preseason plays when he sprained his left ankle in the
Saints’ first exhibition game. Although he did not see any more preseason action, he
doesn’t fret over the loss of playing time.
"You can’t think of it that way. When you get your chance, you just have to
go out there and do it," said Williams.
Or in Williams’ case, redo it. In the season opener he played one quarter before
spraining his left ankle again. In Week Two he hyperextended his right elbow on the
Saints’ final offensive play. A bye the following week aided the healing process, but
it was still a game-time decision for him to start in Chicago in Week Four. Playing in a
brace that prohibited him from straightening his injured arm, Williams could not stiff-arm
with his right arm or hold the ball as securely as he’d like, yet he finished with
career highs of 84 yards on 21 carries and a long of 19 yards.
"On the sideline I was so scared before the first play because I didn’t think
I’d make it. I didn’t think I was ready," he said. "But after the
first hit, I realized it’s not going to be that bad, so that gave me some confidence.
I was surprised how effective I could run the ball with one arm.
"I knew it wouldn’t get any worse; it’s just a matter of how much pain I
can tolerate. But I don’t want any sympathy. It’s football, and you have to go
out there and have fun and let it go. I’ve always had it. That’s why coach
drafted me."
Saints coach Mike Ditka is proud of what he calls Williams’ "gutty"
outings and is happy with his progress.
"Ricky’s a great kid and a good football player. You don’t have to worry
about Ricky," Ditka said. "Ricky will be fine. He’ll be great once he gets
healed up and can use his arms as he should. He’ll be shaking people a lot
better."
Williams, learning firsthand why his coach is known as Iron Mike and not Plastic Mike,
has a mutual respect for Ditka.
"I think oftentimes coaches don’t make themselves clear and you’re not
sure what’s expected of you," said Williams. "But Coach puts it right out
there in front of your face, and you know if you’re doing wrong or if you’re
doing right. He’s intense all the time."
Aside from possessing a rare combination of speed and power, the structure of
Williams’ contract separates him from most other players. In addition to an $8.84
million signing bonus and a $175,000 salary, Williams has 26 different incentive targets
valued at $50,000 for every one reached. Some examples are rushing for 4.5 yards a carry,
scoring 12 or more rushing touchdowns, scoring 12 or more receiving touchdowns, gaining
1,601 yards in total offense and playing in 35 percent of the offensive plays. Off to a
slow start due to injuries, Williams downplays his contract’s format as a motivation.
"My only goal for the season is to win games," he said.
The Saints have not had a 1,000-yard rusher since Dalton Hilliard in 1989. New Orleans
FB Aaron Craver, a converted running back himself and a nine-year vet, likes what he sees
in Williams.
"It’s easy to block for him," Craver said. "He hits the hole really
fast."
Williams is positive in his self-assessment of his young pro career.
"I might be healthier, but I’m gaining a lot of confidence," he said.
"I’m playing hurt and still having some success. Obviously when your not 100
percent, you’re not playing the best you can play. But I’ve had some success
while being hurt, so I’m confident when I am 100 percent, I’ll have even more
success."
While only a rookie, Williams already is looking at the big picture and would like to
go down in history the same way as another special running back who also wore No. 34 for
Ditka.
"I haven’t met Walter (Payton) yet, but Coach tells me he was not only a
great player but is a great person as well," said Williams. "The fact that I can
be mentioned in the same sentence as Walter Payton by the guy that coached him is an honor
to me. I’d like to be remembered as a great football player who always played hard,
but also as a great person as well."
If Williams achieves those goals, he will indeed be in a class by himself in Saints
history. |
