Ricky Williams' Return

Yahoo columnist Charles Robinson makes this astute comment about the latest round of "Ricky Williams is RETURNING!!!" hype and hooplah:

Most mystifying about this whole affair is the depth and volume to which Williams' possible return has been trumpeted. When we consider the realities of Ricky Williams the NFL player, it pales when placed against Ricky Williams the "idea." He's the player who gets more attractive the further he drifts into the distance.

In five seasons, Williams was named to the Pro Bowl once. That was his banner 2002 campaign, when he ran for 1,853 yards and scored 17 total touchdowns. The other four seasons, he never averaged more than four yards per rushing attempt. He never ran for double-digit touchdowns in any other season. His final year, he grinded through 3.5 yards per carry, and in the lone playoff game of his career, he carried the ball six times for 14 yards.

Now mix those rewards with all the weirdness, aloof nature and occasional fumbling problems. It's not like this was Jim Brown-cutting-short-something epic.