Tag: Ricky Williams

Ricky Williams’ 2002 rushing title highlights are absolutely filthy

Ricky Williams’ 2002 rushing title highlights are absolutely filthy

When was the last time you remember a Miami Dolphin completely captivating the rest of the NFL on offense? Some may point to the 2008 Miami Dolphins with running back Ronnie Brown bounced back from a season ending injury in the prior season to serve as the triggerman of the Wildcat offense. But while that answer may not technically be wrong, Brown wasn’t a dominant performer on the field that season — he was rather the beneficiary of a unique, off the wall antique offense.

To find the Dolphins’ last truly dominant offensive weapon you have to rewind all the way back to 2002 — Ricky Williams’ first season with the Miami Dolphins.

Miami gave a king’s ransom for Williams in a trade with the New Orleans Saints; but that deal seemed to be well on the way to being worth it after Williams ripped through the rest of the NFL with 1,853 rushing yards — a mark that was at the time the 8th highest single season rushing mark in NFL history. Williams and the Dolphins finished that season 9-7 and missed the playoffs due to a four-way tie for the league’s final Wild Card berth, losing in Week 17 in overtime against the New England Patriots.

But never the less, Williams’ rushing title proved he was a true force of nature — but don’t take our word for it. Enjoy these 2002 Ricky Williams rushing highlights for yourself and try to tell us Ricky wasn’t one hell of a scary sight in the open field.

Williams recently turned 43 years old and is enjoying his second retirement much more than the first attempt at hanging up the cleats. Williams famously called it a career in the eleventh hour ahead of the 2004 season as a 27-year old in the prime of his career before returning after one season and eventually surpassing 10,000 career rushing yards and redeeming himself in the eyes of Dolphins fans everywhere.

And, for now, his 2002 performance remains the most dominant single season by an offensive weapon in South Florida on this side of the Dan Marino retirement.

Flashback Friday: Mr All Purpose Eric Metcalf

On this Flashback Friday, we look back at former Longhorn Eric Metcalf. The man known as Mr. All-Purpose.

Before the days of Devin Hester setting records in the NFL for returns or Darren Sproles becoming a headache for defensive and special teams coordinators, there was Eric Metcalf. Metcalf was a first round draft pick in the 1989 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. Before making a jump to the NFL, he was wreaking havoc on the Forty Acres.

During his time with the Longhorns, he tallied 4,051 yards and 30 touchdowns on 710 touches. Nothing compared to what he would eventually do at the NFL level. He is often remembered best for his returns, in Austin Metcalf returned 108 punts for 1,076 yards. He returned only one kick for a touchdown. In 1987, Metcalf threw two passes. Both of those went for touchdowns. Then he moved on to the NFL where he would play for seven teams but most of his career was spent in Cleveland.

In the NFL, Eric Metcalf was a nightmare on the field. He was named to the All-Pro team three times (1993, 1994 and 1997). Those same seasons he was also named to the Pro Bowl. Leading the league in return yardage in 1990. During his career from 1989-2002, Metcalf scored 43 touchdowns as a running back with 31 coming by way of the pass. Racking up 7,964 yards from scrimmage.

Player Rushing Yards Receiving Yards Return Yards Total Touchdowns
Eric Metcalf 2,392 5,572 9,266 55
Darren Sproles 3,552 4,840 11,313 64

Metcalf was definitely Darren Sproles before Darren Sproles. While Sproles has the better overall numbers, there is no discounting what Eric Metcalf did on the football field. His accolades don’t stop on the football field. Much like Jamaal Charles, Marquise Goodwin and John Burt, Metcalf was also a star in track.

Eric holds the UT record for outdoor long jump with a mark of 27-8 ¼ feet, was a two-time NCAA champion in the event, and became a five-time track All-American, in addition to his SWC long jump titles in 1986 and 1987. – per Texas Sports Hall of Fame release

While Eric Metcalf may not be in the NFL Hall of Fame, he is a member of the Texas Sports Hall of Fame. He was inducted in 2017, along with former Dallas Cowboys safety Darren Woodson.

Who was the best running back to play at Texas?

Over on our Twitter, a poll is up asking who is the best RB to play at Texas. The four options are Campbell, Williams, Benson, and Foreman.

Over on our Twitter (@LonghornsWire), a poll is up asking who is the best running back to play at Texas.

The four options are Earl Campbell, Ricky Williams, Cedric Benson, and D’Onta Foreman.

Williams, Benson, and Campbell are the top three rushers in Longhorn history, while Foreman ranks 9th. However, in 2016, Foreman ran for 2,028 yards, the second-most in a single season for Texas.

You can vote in our poll below or give us a follow on Twitter!

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Texas Longhorns first round picks since 1999

Take a journey back to every Texas Longhorn to be drafted in the first round since 1999.

The 2020 NFL Draft is just hours away from officially kicking off. There are a few ways that you can tune into the festivities on Thursday Night. Despite the fact that the Texas Longhorns don’t have a first round caliber player according to almost every major draft analysts board, we take a journey back to every first round selection since 1999. The Longhorns could have a first round pick next year if Samuel Cosmi decides to declare or another name jumps to the front.

1999

Ricky Williams: 5th overall to the New Orleans Saints

Brian Bahr /Allsport

In 1999 the New Orleans Saints and head coach Mike Ditka gave up their entire draft just to secure the rights for Ricky Williams. Williams went on to play for the Saints until 2001 when he had a career year for the Miami Dolphins in 2002. He earned his only Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors that season with 1,853 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Williams played for one other team before hanging up the cleats, the Baltimore Ravens in 2011. He finished his 11-year career with 10,009 yards rushing and 66 touchdowns. Adding another eight receiving. His career was never the same after retiring in 2004 and returning to the NFL in 2005.

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Staff Roundtable: Who makes the Mount Rushmore of Texas football?

With ongoing discussions regarding the Mount Rushmore of Texas football, the staff weighed in on their own versions.

It seems that every media outlet, social media account, or on-air personalities have attempted to put together their own “Mount Rushmore” of a certain topic. There are no shortages of notable names for the Texas football program, so we’re going to jump on board and give it a shot. From legendary coaches to players on the field, there is quite a pool of talent to choose from.

Patrick’s Mount Rushmore

Darrell K. Royal

It is difficult to put together a top four list that doesn’t involve Coach Royal. The stadium is named after him and he brought the Longhorns three National Championships and 11 conference titles in his 20-year run as head coach. The Longhorns were just 1-9 the season the season before Royal’s hire and went 6-4-1 in that first year including an invite to the Sugar Bowl. Overall he finished his coaching record with the Longhorns at 167-45-5 which included two undefeated seasons.

Vince Young

When people think of Texas, many remember the play in the Rose Bowl on fourth down. Vince Young willed a team that many felt would fall to USC en route to their third-straight National Championship. The highest rated recruit ever at the University of Texas provided many memories, including a National Championship that immortalized Young at Texas.

Jeff Lewis-USA TODAY Sports

Mack Brown

The Texas Longhorns hadn’t won a National Title since 1970, when Mack Brown came to town it changed a lot for the Longhorns. During his tenure, Mack led the Longhorns to nine-straight seasons with double digit wins. Two National Championship appearances and one championship. While at Texas, Mack won 158 games putting him just nine short of Royal’s mark.

Earl Campbell

It would be an incomplete Mount Rushmore without Earl Campbell. The Tyler Rose won the Heisman Trophy in 1977 when he rushed for 1,744 yards and 18 touchdowns. It was the first time a Longhorn had won the trophy. Overall, Campbell finished with 4,443 yards and 40 touchdowns. His rushing yards total was the best in school history until Ricky Williams came along. Still the 3rd highest in school history behind Williams and the late Cedric Benson.

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Texas legend Ricky Williams believes in Sam Ehlinger for Heisman

Former Heisman Trophy winner Ricky Williams believes quarterback Sam Ehlinger should be considered a Heisman finalist this season.

Former Texas running back Ricky Williams is hesitant to put too high of expectations on the Longhorns football team as a whole, but there is one particular player that he confidently believes in. Continue reading “Texas legend Ricky Williams believes in Sam Ehlinger for Heisman”

Texas Longhorns Represented In ESPN’s Top 150 College Football Players List

The Texas Longhorns are well represented on the ESPN Top 150 college football players of all-time.

In a continued celebration of 150 years of college football,  media organizations have produced lists such as the top 150 teams in college football history. That list came from USA Today Sports, however ESPN has recently released number 26-150 of the top 150 college football players.

Once again you can bet your bottom dollar that the Texas Longhorns would have players who make the list. Four Texas Longhorns players were represented among the first 125 players on their initial list, there are still 25 more players to be released, with players 12-25 to be announced on the story linked above and the top 11 to be revealed during halftime of the National Championship Game on Monday.

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Vegas Odds: Early 2020 Heisman Odds

The super early odds to win the 2020 Heisman Trophy are in, is Sam Ehlinger on the list?

The 2019-20 college football season isn’t over yet but after Joe Burrow became the first LSU quarterback to bring home the Heisman Trophy, the odds for the 2020 Heisman Trophy have been released by OddShark.

The Texas Longhorns have had two Heisman Trophy winners in their history that dates back to 1893. Both winners were running backs with Earl Campbell in 1977. Campbell was the fifth-straight running back to win the award. The running backs run as winner of the prestigious award until Doug Flutie broke through in 1984.

The other Longhorn to win came in 1998 after Ricky Williams had a monster season for Texas. During that decade running backs won the award four times and just three times since (twice if you don’t count Reggie Bush’s vacated win). The award has basically become who was the best quarterback in college football. So what are the odds for a Sam Ehlinger run?

Justin Fields (Ohio State) +250
Trevor Lawrence (Clemson) +300
Mac Jones (Alabama) +800
Bo Nix (Auburn) +900
Jake Fromm (Georgia) +1000
Spencer Rattler (Oklahoma) +1000
Kedon Slovis (USC) +1200
Sam Ehlinger (Texas) +1200
Sam Howell (North Carolina) +2000
Zamir White (Georgia) +2500
Derek Stingley Jr. (LSU) +2500
Spencer Sanders (Oklahoma State) +2800
Brock Purdy (Iowa State) +2800
Kenneth Gainwell (Memphis) +2800
Javian Hawkins (Louisville) +2800
Jaylen Waddle (Alabama) +3300
Ja’Marr Chase (LSU) +3300

Ehlinger currently sits with the seventh best odds right now to win the Heisman Trophy in 2020. If he does make that magical run in 2020 he would be the first Longhorns quarterback to bring home such an honor. Ehlinger would also make the seventh Big 12 quarterback to win since 2000. Eric Crouch (Big 12 at the time) and Robert Griffin III are the only non-Oklahoma quarterbacks to win during that same span.

Can Sam Ehlinger throw his way to being the third?

Former Dolphins RB Ricky Williams relives 2008 debut of the Wildcat

What was it like for one of the Dolphins’ star players when the team broke out the WIldcat against the Patriots in 2008?

The New England Patriots once again reign over the AFC East, having clinched their eleventh consecutive division title on Saturday night with a win against the Buffalo Bills, 24-17. The last team not named the Patriots to win the AFC East is, of course, the 2008 Miami Dolphins — a team that went 11-5 and won a tiebreaker with the Patriots to claim the division.

A big part of that wild 2008 season was the Wildcat offense, which the Dolphins unveiled in Week 3 against the Patriots that season with great success. The Dolphins went on to smash the Patriots in Foxboro, setting up their run to a divisional title and kickstarting their entire season.

Former Miami Dolphins running back Ricky Williams recently joined Bleacher Report’s Master Tesfatsion for an edition of “Untold Stories” and, during their recordings, Williams was asked about the Wildcat.

Hearing Williams say the Wildcat unveiling was one of his favorite experiences in the NFL will tug at your sentimental heart strings — those were simpler, more fun times! But hearing Williams talk about the impact the Wildcat had on the Patriots and Bill Belichick? That’s the good stuff, friends.

“(The Patriots) were disheveled. They were arguing on the field, they were confused and we took ’em outta their element…(Belichick) usually looks so calm, cool and collected and you could tell he was flustered, you know?”

It says a lot about the Dolphins’ recent history in that there haven’t been many opportunities over the last decade that would measure close to that season. Hopefully the team’s new, drastic direction can help to sprout some more magic in the coming years — with or without Bill Belichick is fine, if we’re being honest.

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