Based on his first interview after getting cut by the Cardinals, it seems like Ryan Williams dismissal was more of a business decision than his ability to perform on the field. He claims that he was back to his normal self but was inactivated. He doesnt see himself as a bust because he was never given the opportunity to prove himself on the field under the new coaching stuff. I really hope that a team gives him another chance to show what he can do. The young man sounds like he can still play and is willing to play. Good luck to Ryan Williams.
http://espn.go.com/blog/arizona-cardinals/post/_/id/6369/ryan-williams-d...
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Get back to me in a year on this topic.
Sounds like someone who's really frustrated with everything that's happen to him...at the same time he's making a bunch of excuses. Yeah you got a really raw deal in terms of injuries but like it or not, coaches don't like throwing guys into games who missed all of training camp and most of the preseason... and you can't play scarred, especially in the NFL.
RMFW is special enough from a talent standpoint to get into a team's training camp. Once that happens, he needs to do everything his power to make a 53-man roster. He needs to prove to coaches that he's worth their time. Hopefully everything will work out for him.
With all the injuries and limited playing time, Ryan didnt justify being the highest paid RB on the team. With his talent, he should be able to find a team on a play-to-pay basis.
What is a bust anyway? This was addressed partially in the other thread, but folks need to remember the average NFL career is 3.5 years. There are RBs that are stars in college entering the NFL every season. Most don't last a decade, some do. Most suffer injuries, many are drafted by teams where they're not utilized according to their strengths. Not every RB is going to translate his college career into the NFL to the same level of success. That doesn't make him a bust. There's a middle ground in there - it's not all or nothing. Hopefully, Williams will get another shot. I don't think it is likely, though, as RBs are as interchangeable as any position these days. Even at his age, there's several younger cheaper, (possibly) healthier options available. The only thing that makes him special to us is his college. The same story is repeated every season for some guy from Nebraska or Alabama or wherever. Look at Mark Ingram & Trent Richardson from Alabama. It's not uncommon...
Ryan Williams is pretty much a bust. Especially for Arizona. They sunk a bunch of time and money into him and he never really saw the field during the season. It's not that he was used wrong, he couldn't be used due to always being injured. Along with that he wasn't some UDFA or a very late round reach, they picked him in the 2nd round thinking he could contribute immediately.
The use of bust is not always a knock on the player's ability or potential.
I agree. I love the guy. But being in the league for a few years and never really seeing much of the field pretty much defines bust. I think we'd all agree it isn't based on his ability - he deserved his draft position and contract/opportunity. But if the end result doesn't justify the expense, then he moves towards bust territory.
I still think there is time for him to salvage his career and justify the initial investment. But for Arizona, he was a bust.
One of the biggest busts in the NFL, JaMarcus Russell, was given plenty of chances to start for the Raiders and show what he could do. Can you really be a bust if never given a fair opportunity to showcase your skills and help the team win games?
I agree. What I believe the definition of bust to be: A player that looked to be a great player in college, but their skills did not translate or get results on the NFL field. AKA a UVA engineer; you hear engineer and think "Hey he/she must be smart" but then you find out that they went to UVA and your like "Gross, how did they let you graduate without passing pre-algebra?".
It usually comes back to LOLUVA. Point taken.
Good points. I think we'd all agree that Russell was a bust. I guess the definition of bust would have to be given. I, for one, figured that a bust was a player whose production didn't match expectations or investment, and I didn't get any more involved in that.
Having said that, I'd also go as far as to say that RMFW has had a fair opportunity, but that injuries don't care about what's fair. I thought he had his chances at Arizona, as in, they had him in games and treated him like their next starting RB. But the injuries, a couple of fumbles, and what are we left with?
So how does it work from here for him? Does he wait for a call from another team? Contact teams himself and ask for a try-out?
Both, basically. He/his agent calls teams seeing if there is interest. He & his agent study the other teams to see where there might be a need, where they can focus their efforts on impressing the coaches. He maintains contact with the Cardinals, just in case someone else gets injured, and so they don't poormouth him to other teams. He keeps working out. He assesses life beyond the NFL, which is really something every player should do every year. He's got to hustle and rustle up interest and prove he's medically fine.
Problem with potentially returning to the Cardinals is that Ryan more or less threw the entire organization under the bus in that ESPN article, as well as his old agent. He's certainly not doing himself any favors with regards to future NFL employment by badmouthing his old organization.
Exactly the reason I mentioned it. You get cut, you let your emotions go for a while, that's fine. But be a man, hold your tongue, because everybody knows the media wants a quote that creates issues. So you look at the big picture, and understand the business. You say nothing, and you stay in touch. Otherwise, you're down to 29 chances for a job. Or less, because now the Cards see the quotes, and word goes to other teams, or other teams read the quotes and think - 'he doesn't get it...' The game that matters the most is the game off the field. You got to learn how to play the game.
Didn't he have some parting comments about our program?
Being a bust isn't so bad.
I see what you did there.
Threadwinner
Beard-o-DeChristopher, we have GOT to get you and jsketch to 1k legs. Long overdue.
That does't look like Williams? That looks like an alumni who stands our our sideline and gives encouragement to all of our players
He just got signed by Dallas.
http://sportdfw.com/2014/05/17/dallas-cowboys-sign-former-star-rb-ryan-w...
David Wilson and Ryan Williams in the NFC East =
Happy he got signed, sad it had to be Dallas.
Leg for the doctor
I know, I'm both so sad and happy for him at the same time...
I'm happy for him but sad for me
So they can break him like they did Danny Coale.
That's what I was thinking.
Back in the game!
So much going on with this gif.
Well done.
The Force is strong in you........