Veteran running back Ricky Williams has signed a two-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens.
Running back eyes Super Bowl tilt with new team Baltimore
Veteran running back Ricky Williams signed a two-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens, insisting he has joined a team capable of winning a Super Bowl.
Williams spent seven seasons in Miami, after three years with the Saints when he was drafted by New Orleans back in 1999.
A colourful career has seen Williams fail drugs tests, miss football through suspensions and even retire before returning to the game - but when on the field he has been one of the best running backs in the league.
Stats including 9,565 yards rushing, 329 catches for 2,523 yards and 72 touchdowns speak for themselves, but the 34-year-old now wants to do something with the Ravens which he has never done before - go to the Super Bowl.
Williams received interest from the Detroit Lions, where he may well have been their feature back, but he chose to move to Baltimore instead, where he feels he has more chance of making the big game.
Super Bowl
"The opportunity in Detroit opened up, and it would have been a chance for me to play a lot and be able to contribute a lot," Williams said. "But Baltimore is an established organization with a lot of vets, and I thought I would fit in well in this situation and be able to enjoy myself and possibly win a Super Bowl."
Williams will operate behind Ray Rice in Baltimore, but is happy to provide a change of pace from the first choice option in the Ravens' offence, and expects to play a lesser role than in Miami.
"You never know," he added. "Some games the defence is taking the run away and we have to pass. Other games we're going to have to pound the ball to win the game, so it just depends. My guess is it will vary anywhere from eight and 12."
Coach John Harbaugh still expects Williams to make a big impact as he effectively replaces Willis MaGahee as Rice's back-up running back in Baltimore.
"I think adding Ricky into the mix makes us a better team, no doubt about it," Harbaugh said. "We started talking about him a day or two ago.
Pass protection
"To me, he looks as good as ever. I'm talking about last year. He ran the ball well. He's very good in pass protection. He understands pass protection. That's the key. So, it's a big addition for us."
Williams has serious quality when at his best though, as he closes in on 10,000 career rushing yards, and in a strong Ravens team he could prosper even with limited carries, especially given his ability to catch passes out of the backfield.
Despite having five 1,000-yard rushing seasons, including a whopping 1,853 in 2002, Williams still seems to have gas left in the tank, but his two-year stint with the Ravens looks to be his final two in the NFL.
"I think I respect the game more and I appreciate the game more than I did, but I'm not 20 years old anymore, so my priorities are a little bit different," he said. "But I appreciate the game and I love to compete. I use my mind more than I use my body, but still, my body's strong and I enjoy playing this game.
"I'll be 36 when my contract's up. I think I'll be ready to do something else at that point."
