Ricky Williams.... to the Toronto Argos?

[dx1997]

''We have him on our neg list and like all the other guys on the neg list we have to check him out and see if there is any interest and if it's a workable deal,'' said Argonauts vice president of football operations Adam Rita. ''Until then we are just kind of kicking the tires.''

Story Here (http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/news_story.asp?id=164059)

Safe to say, he'll light it up on the field if he's an Argo.

[Shaner]

He's not even interested in playing football. The only reason he came back to play was because he owed so much money.

Besides, I doubt he'd ever come to the CFL.

[trashmouth12]

Marijuana is cheaper in Canada is it not?? :lol: :lol:

[spike-spiegel]

Story Here (http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/news_story.asp?id=164059)

Safe to say, he'll light it up on the field if he's an Argo.


And off the field. ;)

I don't he is interested in playing football though. Saban already got a lot out of him. He just wants to travel with Kravitz and do yoga.

[botai]

man... if he signs with the argos....you're looking at a new argos season ticket holder

[Venom]

man... if he signs with the argos....you're looking at a new argos season ticket holder

same here

[emptypocket]

But how much big of an offer would the Argos have to make to entice him? The only reason he came back was because the Dolphins asked for the majority of the signing bonus he received to be returned. I think it was around 8 million bucks. How much could a CFL team possibly give him that would generate any interest at all?

[botai]

But how much big of an offer would the Argos have to make to entice him? The only reason he came back was because the Dolphins asked for the majority of the signing bonus he received to be returned. I think it was around 8 million bucks. How much could a CFL team possibly give him that would generate any interest at all?

the highest salary in the cfl doesnt reach near $1 million
so yeah...not much to entice him, but then again.......... Miami would want him to play in the CFL cause a playing in the CFL Williams is better than a smoking in the Bahamas Williams

[radeonboy]

if he comes, then hot damn, this guy will run like no tomorrow!

[gordholio]

It's not going to happen. His head would be way too big for the CFL.

[Shaner]

It's not going to happen. His head would be way too big for the CFL.

Not true at all. He's actually got a good attitude in the locker room and on the field. His problem is with drugs, not with his attitude. He's not a Terrell Owens by any means.

[othy]

BC Lions should sign him cuz... hm.. *cough*.. yeah..

Lions could just lease him a grow-op and he'd be good to go!

[zensuperman]

It won't happen,,,too expensive,,,the new ownership won't commit rocket ismail dollars alla candy/mcnall and it's gonna take that type of cash,,,nice publicity stunt but the'd never sell enough extra seats to be worth while,,,and williams doesn't really want to play or he'd have some restraint,,,it's weed we're talking about not like he's smoking rocks!!!! :eek:

[Pughball]

Maybe Williams is actually committed to playing football? Maybe he just wants to keep fresh so he can still hang with the big boys in the NFL next season. He risks injury, but he risks losing his ksills if he doesn't play, I see no reason why he wouldn't play if he's serious about continuing his career in football.

[RestIsHistory]

He'll have a great time in TO, with all the Weed smokers around here.

Does CFL have any Drug enforcement plan?

[gordholio]

I don't think Williams is into the really bad stuff like crack cocaine, just the marijuana and a few other things. :lol:

[mapleleafs]

Does CFL have any Drug enforcement plan?

Nope. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[wilkens]

Hahaha there is no chance at all he would play in the CFL even tho I would instantly buy seasons tickets if he did

CFL top salaries at like 300k, thats not even enough to make payments on Ricky's Maybach and one night in a club for him

[Montague]

He'll have a great time in TO, with all the Weed smokers around here.

Does CFL have any Drug enforcement plan?
Nope. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Only because many of the players would not have the money to have such a habit.

Few players on any team get paid over 6 figures (I believe) - and I think few (if any) get over a million a year.

Many actually have to get "summer jobs" to supplement their income (and also remember the vast majority are NOT going to have 10 year careers).

[ggs]

id go watch ricky no doubt about it.

[gordholio]

If Miami allows it, Williams could play in Toronto.
Of course he's not going to make much when compared to the NFL, but they might want him to play for a couple of years in Toronto to keep him in good playing condition.
I think the Argonauts could pay him a bonus for signing too.
Attendance at Argonauts games will go way up if Williams is signed. :)

[low dealz]

why would he sit out a season, which almost guarantees that he'll play horrible in the NFL when he's back the next season? So i'd think CFL would be a good option.

[gordholio]

why would he sit out a season, which almost guarantees that he'll play horrible in the NFL when he's back the next season? So i'd think CFL would be a good option.
From what I heard, Williams has to get permission from Miami to play in Toronto.
I can see perhaps that Miami would be concerned that Williams might get injured, but I think they'll grant permission for him to play in Toronto if he wants to.

[dx1997]

Anyone have any quotes from Ricky himself? What is he going to do? Will he travel with Lenny? NFL Europe? Even a quote on the CFL?

[`McGillicutty`]

He's going to begin negotiations with the Argos shortly.

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/sports/14487039.htm

[dell]

A follow up to the TSN article from the first post. It looks like Ricky is interested in playing in Toronto and all thats keeping him back is a decision from the Dolphins.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/news_story.asp?id=164772

[Yaowsers]

I highly doubt it'll happen.

[purple_rabbit]

From Sports Illustrated:

Complete story at Sport's Illustrated Website (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/michael_silver/05/18/open.mike/index.html)


Ricky Williams is about to make a run for the border, and we're not talking about the border that will soon be patrolled by National Guardsmen.

According to a source, sometime soon, possibly as early as today, the Miami Dolphins will grant the suspended halfback permission to play for the CFL's Toronto Argonauts, who open training camp on Sunday -- which happens to be Williams's 29th birthday.

The last sticking point on the Dolphins' end is a written assurance from the Argonauts that they'll release Williams from his obligation to the team when the season ends in November. In other words, as one person familiar with the negotiations put it on Wednesday, a declaration that Williams is being rented, not purchased.

The Argonauts are likely to agree to the Dolphins' terms, and though Miami coach Nick Saban remains resistant to the idea -- he's worried that Williams will get hurt in Canada, which might make Saban and the Dolphins look like fools -- he'll probably give the bushy-bearded runner his blessing. Then, assuming a face-to-face meeting between Williams and his new bosses doesn't go miserably, it will be up to Williams' agent, Leigh Steinberg, to hammer out a one-season deal with the team.

At the very latest, look for Williams to be a member of the Argonauts by early next week. That means Williams will leave the friendly confines of Grass Valley, Calif., where he's holing up with his holistically correct buddies, and relocate to a cosmopolitan city with terrific entertainment and culture offerings.

And why, you ask, is Williams, one of my favorite people in football because of his individualism, so eager to go international?

Come to think of it, why is Saban letting him go in the first place?

The answer to both questions is the same: Williams needs the dough.

Because of his drug suspensions and sudden retirement before the 2004 season, according to a source familiar with Williams' finances, the running back has made just $285,000 since December 2003 -- with his next potential check from the Dolphins delayed until at least next summer. Throw in the absurd $8.6 million judgment against him in the wake of his short-lived retirement (the Dolphins kindly reduced his debt to $5.4 million after his impressive '05 campaign) and a history of sloppy financial decisions, and Williams might as well be mooching meals from Mike Tyson. Or maybe Evander Holyfield is a more apt comparison -- Williams has three children with three different mothers.

Williams won't make all that much in Canada: Probably less than $200,000, with the potential for some substantial off-field income worked into the deal. But at least this will get him some cash. And if you look at the painful history of his time as a professional, you'll realize that few athletes have ever squandered more potential cash.

[Div]

Must say that I am a little surprised that its come this far.

[Bargain_Junkie]

What's the latest going on with Williams and the Argos?

I'd love if he came to the CFL, i'd get to meet him maybe because I work for the Lions :D Maybe I can hack a blunt with him :cheesygri

[jonkaho]

the Argos should sign Ryan Leaf too!

[Bargain_Junkie]

I heard he's coming to the Argos and a deal maybe reached as soon as next week :D

Go Ricky! I can't wait to see him live :)