Skepticism abounds, but Ricky Williams running for redemption

DAVIE, Fla. -- The sweat is beading on Ricky Williams' head, glistening in a sun-kissed South Florida afternoon. His jersey is stained with dirt, and there are almost as many chunks of grass stuck on his helmet as there are on his cleats.

It's the end of another two-a-day practice, and the Miami Dolphins running back is headed to the film room, then to lift weights and study his playbook. Williams is working hard again, showing the kind of effort that once made him the NFL's leading rusher and a Heisman Trophy winner in college.

He still has that quiet demeanor that can make him seem detached from football, appearing as if he doesn't care about the game or how he's perceived. His past behavior might tell the same story: the early retirement, the marijuana use and the subsequent suspensions.

He's been labeled a quitter by some, selfish by others, and his free spirit nature has opened him up to punch lines. But the controversial running back, who failed the league's substance abuse test five times, cares about his football legacy. For him, this season is partly about changing how he will be remembered.

"The way I left made it difficult," Williams said. "To come back and clear my name is important to me."

At 31, what else is important?

"No. 1, it's a good salary," he said. "There's not many jobs where you make this kind of money."

So far, he's earning it.

Williams didn't miss a voluntary practice in Miami's strict offseason workout program under the new Bill Parcells-led regime. He has bulked up to about 230 pounds, the weight he played at in his prime. And with Pro Bowlers Jason Taylor and Zach Thomas long gone, Williams is trying to be a leader.

"He finishes every run. Within his individual drills, I see the guy working hard to get better," first-year coach Tony Sparano said. "I think the guy shows up each day, and he has a purpose when he practices.

He's been perhaps the best player on the field during training camp. His talent is why no less than four Miami coaching staffs have put their faith -- and the team's future -- on his legs, even though he's flaked out on them every time. Of course, the question with Williams has never been about his skills. It's how long will he last?

"That's always going to be in the back of some people's minds -- can the guy make it?" defensive end Vonnie Holliday said. "We know that when Ricky Williams gets on the field and suits up that he's going to give you 100 percent effort, and you know that he's going to go to the wall for you.

"He's an unbelievable player. But it's just keeping him on the field. It's like one of those things, you have to show me. You have to go out and give me a full season. I don't think anybody's worried about it. But it's just a matter of him going out and getting it done."