Backup: Expect Ricky to play
By TIM GRAHAM
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Saturday, November 24, 2007
DAVIE — Dolphins coach Cam Cameron has been vague about his plans.
Ricky Williams has professed ignorance.
But a teammate who has witnessed Williams' every stride this week said he expects the former NFL rushing leader to make his return Monday night against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
"I don't want to jump the gun, but it would be a shock to me if he wasn't playing Monday," running back Samkon Gado said Friday. "He looks that good."
Williams had his first full practice Wednesday since rejoining the team after an 18-month suspension for violating the NFL substance-abuse policy. He also practiced Thursday and Friday.
"I was thoroughly impressed with him," Gado said of Williams, who last played 14 months ago in the Canadian Football League. "I had to go up to him and ask, 'What have you been doing the last year? Is there some league we haven't heard of?'
"He doesn't even look like he has to get used to the system. It looks like he's been in training camp with us."
The likelihood of Williams' return was bolstered by the sight of Jesse Chatman limping through the locker room Friday.
Chatman, the featured back since Ronnie Brown suffered a season-ending knee injury, again was limited in practice because of an ankle injury. Chatman declined to speak with reporters. He is listed as questionable on the injury report.
Williams' presence could keep Gado inactive. The Dolphins claimed him off waivers from the Houston Texans after Brown was hurt Oct. 21.
Gado is a one-time fantasy football darling who came off the Green Bay Packers bench in 2005 to score six touchdowns in as many games and rush for at least 100 yards three times.
Gado thought this might be the week he made his Dolphins debut. Then he got a load of Williams.
"I assumed the guy had been out of football a year and would take time to adjust," Gado said. "But when he showed up, the first day, just on walk-through, you knew he was going to be playing and he was ready."
Cameron on Wednesday said Williams already understood the playbook. From there, Gado said, it's all about talent and instinct.
"There's not much coaching that goes into our position," Gado said. "You either know how to run the football, or you don't."
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