Ricky gets rave reviews
Jimmy Johnson, former football coach of Dallas and Miami, told the Dallas Morning News this about the not-so-dearly-departed Dolphin, Ricky Williams:
“The defense has carried that team for five, six, maybe 10 years. Ricky’s yards per carry were under four last year. Really, his reputation is based on the Heisman Trophy and the one really good year he had (2002). That’s why I think the perception … is greater than the reality.”
From Dan LeBatard, the Miami Herald columnist who broke the Williams story:
“I’d like to tell you that breaking the Ricky retirement story was because of some majestic journalistic effort, but all I did was answer my phone. If I hadn’t been home, I would have missed his call and we might still not know he is retired because the Dolphins certainly weren’t interested in revealing it.”
And from Barry Sanders, who unexpectedly left football five years ago: “Even for me, it seems very strange.”
Kobe’s team: unpredictable
From Joe Santoro of the Reno Gazette-Journal: “Don’t worry about the Los Angeles Lakers. Yes, Shaquille O’Neal is off trying the South Beach diet, and Phil Jackson is off on his motorcycle in Montana. But the Lakers will be just fine. They are now Kobe Bryant’s team. And that’s not all bad.
“Bryant will lead the league in scoring and he’ll carry the Lakers to 55 wins, just like Michael Jordan used to do with the Bulls. Jordan had Scottie Pippen and Bryant will have Lamar Odom. Then again, if things don’t go well in Colorado for Kobe, the Lakers will turn into the 1999 Bulls.”
Good week for ‘Q’
Quentin Richardson, the former Los Angeles Clipper who signed a six-year, $45 million contract with Phoenix, will soon become a former bachelor.
He reportedly is engaged to singer Brandy, and that the 11-carat diamond ring he presented to her this week is valued at $1 million.
Next bad question, please
Bob Tisch, co-owner of the New York Giants, was asked by a TV talk-show host whether his team (4-12 last year) had a chance to go all the way this season.
“To win the Super Bowl? No, no,” Tisch replied. “We have a team of 12 new coaches. We brought in about 18 players. We have two new quarterbacks. … If we can make the playoffs, I will be pleased.”
Always glum
The Newark Star-Ledger reported that Randy Johnson’s agent, Barry Meister, told Arizona Diamondbacks general manager Joe Garagiola Jr., “If you don’t trade him to the Yankees, you’re going to have one unhappy player.”
Garagiola’s response: “And how would I tell the difference?”
On fumes?
Dallas Cowboy owner Jerry Jones, after signing Eddie George to a $2.2-million contract, said the NFL running back “has plenty of gas left in his tank.”
Wrote David Thomas of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram: “Just goes to show how much it costs these days to get a full tank of gas.”