Late in the 2007 season, then Miami Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga was looking for some way to right the reeling franchise. The Dolphins had just dealt with the "not interested in Alabama" defection of Nick Saban after the 2006 season, followed by the one-and-done attempt at being a head coach from Cam Cameron. Someone with stability, a "football genius" was needed to right the ship.
In came Bill Parcells. Parcells was hired to serve as the team's Vice President of Football Operations. He would have the final say on all things football. He would hire Jeff Ireland as the general manager and Tony Sparano as head coach. He would add "Parcells" players. He would trade Jason Taylor. This was his team.
And he failed. Officially leaving the team after the 2010 season, Parcells had improved the Dolphins from a 1-15 team to a consistently 7-9 team. Sure, there was the one 11-5 year, but there was no sustained winning. So, Parcells too ka boat load of money and bolted, fleeing back to ESPN for a nice, cushy TV analyst position.
But, now, reportedly, Parcells can't help himself from still messing with his former players. And, not even ones that currently wear Dolphins uniforms.
According to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Parcells and former Dolphins running back Ricky Williams traded text messages this week. At the end of the exchange, Williams went from excited to continue his playing career after a year backing up Ray Rice with the Baltimore Ravens to deciding to retire from the game.
Parcells initiated the text conversations, sending Williams a message asking, "How you doing? I'm just checking up on you."
Williams replied, "I had a great year. Body felt good. When I got to play, had a blast. Can't wait till next year."
Parcells continued, "That's good. Don't chase this thing too long. You can contribute in other ways."
"'Why am I playing?' That's the question. If I could do anything in the world, and it's doable, why wouldn't I do that?" Williams replied on Tuesday when asked about why is is retiring.
"I have to keep 85 percent of who I really am under wraps to fit into that (football) model,'' Ricky said. "It's not fun for me. Even when I show an extra five percent, it pushes the envelope.
"I don't want to limit myself."
Williams has always done things his own way. Unfortunately for Ravens fans, and many Dolphins fans who still love to watch the 1998 Heisman Trophy winner run the ball, this time, it looks like Williams is doing thing the Parcells way.
0 recs | 22 comments
No more Ricky's radio show? We'll see closer to training camp.
Whether the Ravens want him enough ($) to stay behind Rice.
Tunaflipper - February 10, 2012
I think you're reaching here Mosul
He probably has been thinking about his final retirement, its not like Parcells brainwashed him into it.
Patssuck456 - February 10, 2012
I don't think so
Since two weeks ago, he was telling teammates and coaches he was feeling good and looking forward to coming back, Then, his first text to Parcells was “Can’t wait until next year.”
Sounds like he was planning to come back.
Kevin Nogle - February 10, 2012
We all know what that other 85% of you is Ricky....
you went to college for “holistic medicine”? You went to college in Grass Valley, CA… come on man … we all know it… stop trying to hide it…
Jason Scott_90 - February 10, 2012
Univ of Texas, too.
Where he majored in running back.
Tunaflipper - February 10, 2012
Good luck to Ricky in retirement maybe now he can start his retirement website puffrickypuff.com.
mr1313 - February 10, 2012
Hey Bill...
I’ll respond the same way I have been to any and all comments you’ve made since 2007……
Go f*ck yourself.
DolphinNation - February 10, 2012
Bill Parcells= The Devil.
DolfanVince86 - February 10, 2012
You're accusing Parcells of influencing Rickey Williams' "mind" ????
Williams hasn’t been influenced by anything other than THC and self interest in 10 years.
PhrozenPhish - February 10, 2012
The bright side
There is a bright side to the parcells saga. He’s now fully invested in screwing with the Jets. The loud-mouth Jets are perfect foils for Parcells. With all the Parcells flunkies running the Jets they should be adverage or worse for years to come. Let Parcells waddle up there for as long as he wants. If he ever gets a foot in New England the East championship will be there for the Fins pickings.
straighttalk - February 10, 2012
Agree ! REC...
I said it after the second draft by Parcells – that he just didint get it. Parcells was good at building the Dline and building an average team – but he could never really could find talent at QB or draft playmakers. His model of picking (big and slow) players – over playmakers with speed (regardless of size) is what ruined this team. .. He has been a poor judge of QB talent forever. He was lucky to have some great players like (LT) in NY during a time that defense and a running game could carry you…. it dosent work any more. Even then – the Bills were a missed FG away from winning that superbowl – after NYG dominated time of possession. History would look at him as just another “slightly” above average coach if he had lost to the Bills that year. … and his model wasnt so great in the modern day NFL.
Parcells helped us a little – but we paid for more…we deserved more…we expected more from him.
62Lou - February 10, 2012
I seriously think Ricky made this choice on his own terms.
If he really wants to play he would play no matter what Parcells said to him. Some people need to get over blaming Parcells for everything.
jdtman - February 10, 2012
So, two weeks ago, Ricky was telling teammates and coaches how excited he was to come back next year
His first text to Parcells was that he felt great and was looking forward to next season.
Suddenly, after Parcells’ texts, Ricky’s mind is made up that he wants to retire. The ony change? One text from Parcells.
You tell me, how is Parcells not involved in Ricky’s sudden change?
Kevin Nogle - February 10, 2012
Really? We're talking about a grown man here.
We really have no idea how much communication Rickey actually got. For all we know the Dhali Lama told him to hang it up.
I think Williams is a flake who threw his team under the bus once and his coach under the bus on another occasion…but I don ‘t think he’s easily led and his history suggests he’ll go his own way no matter what people say to him.
PhrozenPhish - February 10, 2012
It's not Parcells' fault. Didn't you hear...
It’s Lebron’s fault!!
say_it_aint_so_JT - February 10, 2012
Parcells is Jabba-the-Hut, and Ricky is Princess Lay-ya....
Alpha6 - February 10, 2012
I was kinda rooting for Ricky this year in the playoffs. I don’t care what he smokes. He’s not going around being an asshole and beating up woman; he doesn’t talk bullshit in front of the mic; he just goes out and does his job. That he enjoys his smoke doesn’t really bother me much because I can’t understand why, in a country that has legal alcohol, marijuana is deemed so bad. And that’s coming from someone who has no personal use for stuff.
As for Parcells, to hell with him. From the time he left the Giants it was clear that the only thing important to Parcells was Parcells. Every stop along the way he did just enough to get some praise then cut and run before his house of cards tumbled and the fingers could point to him. I smiled when the HoF didn’t vote him in this year. I hope I’ll get to smile like that for years. I have no use and no admiration at all for that louse.
JTC111 - February 10, 2012
If I might add, there is no evidence that Ricky is still smoking
Indeed, many people who get into meditation seriously stop smoking weed as it does not help with focus.
Maybe he wants to smoke again, but to assume it (other than in jest) is baseless.
Strange - February 10, 2012 via mobile
I agree. Seems irresponsible to assume as much but oh well.
texascowpunk - February 10, 2012
there are plenty of other actual, solid and clear reasons to knock parcells as a fin fan.
a1a - February 10, 2012
Sad to see Ricky go....
I’m sad to see Ricky go, but I’m glad he got out when he could. RIcky hates football…always has. I’m sure he’s found some joy in it, but Ricky could care less how famous or how much money he has.
Ya know, I respect Ricky to the max. It tore me to pieces when he first retired, but ya know…anyone who hasn’t forgave him is selfish themselves. IDK, I guess I can just related to Ricky personality wise. It’s hard to explain, but I consider myself to be just like Ricky…minus the weed smoking. I’m extremely hard to read, would rather be alone, don’t need fame nor fortune, and please others even though it’s not what I want to do. Maybe I’m just going through a rough patch myself, but it seems like the only place I find happiness is in isolation…the same place I seem to battle my own demons. It’s just a tough place to describe and that’s why I relate myself to Ricky. Nobody knows me I feel. I’ve had friends for 15 or so years (I’m 22) and they don’t even know all of me I feel…
Jared Maier - February 11, 2012
Ricky also has therapy
I am not saying this negatively, but in all seriousness. If you feel that similarly, consider it if you haven’t already.
Strange - February 14, 2012 via mobile
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