For nearly two years, which is about the time when their relationship began, Dolphins coach Tony Sparano has talked about how impressed he has been by the meticulous ways in which running back Ricky Williams cares for his body.

It is the reason he is confident Williams, at 32, will have no trouble handling a full workload in the absence of Ronnie Brown, who has been officially ruled out of Thursday's game against the Carolina Panthers with a foot injury.

But how does Sparano really know Williams' habits? Does he actually spend enough time around him to monitor his diet during time away from the team's facility, too?

``We've had a couple of team functions, and I've got to make sure that there's `Ricky Food' there,'' Sparano joked Wednesday. ``There's `Ricky Food,' and then there's `Jake Long-Vernon Carey' food. Completely different.''

Williams' organic diet -- along with his affinity for massage therapy and anatomical studies -- has caused some occasional laughs between teammates and coaches, if only because his behavior is a bit unorthodox for an NFL locker room.

Still, when it comes down to it, this team (namely Sparano) has nothing but respect for Williams' work ethic and lifestyle these days. It's part of the reason he's still powering strong after 30. And it's the reason he doesn't look like he needs to stop anytime soon.

``He understands stuff about the body and about recovery and whatever else I couldn't even begin to tell you,'' linebacker Jason Taylor said. ``He takes care of himself. The more you take care of yourself and realize your body is your business, the better you'll be.

``He's running around like he's 25 or 26 years old.''

SECRET TO SUCCESS

At an age when some star running backs hit a wall -- former Seahawks star Shaun Alexander serves as the best recent example -- Williams is now averaging 5.3 yards per carry in his first nine games of reserve duties.

Many cite Williams' Ayurveda and Yoga studies, as well as a healthy diet, when it comes to explaining his youthful energy. But Williams actually points to another reason: He took time away from the game.

Whether by his own decision to retire in 2004 or the league's decision to suspend him for a full season in 2006 (he also played only one game in 2007), Williams hasn't faced the same battering that many backs typically sustain by the time they hit his age.

``I don't feel old; I don't feel slow,'' Williams told Dolphin Digest earlier this month. ``I guess if you compare other people at my age . . . I have the advantage that I had a couple of years off. Most people, when they play football when they're 32, they've been doing it their whole life.

``Part of it is physical, but I think part of it is just they're burned out.''

Williams is fresh and strong. Depending how long Brown's foot injury keeps him sidelined, the same organization that once condemned Williams for his abrupt departure might now be celebrating his hiatus from the game.

It's one of the most ironic twists in his intriguing story: The extent to which Williams has regained his place in the hearts of his teammates and fans. Now he's on the brink of adding yet another chapter to his dramatic tale.

RESPECT OF PEERS

His older teammates seem to be enjoying every moment of it. Taylor, who called Williams ``one of the best teammates you'll ever have,'' is the only player in Miami's locker room with a longer tenure. He has been around to see it all -- and he sounds sincerely happy to be watching this story take a turn toward a happy conclusion.

``I'm not one to judge somebody and crucify them forever about it,'' Taylor said. ``People make mistakes. I have no problem with it.

``He went through what he had to go through, and he came back from it.''

Williams, who signed a one-year contract extension through next season and plans to retire after its conclusion, is surging even with limited repetitions behind Brown. If Williams can maintain his current production (he has 558 yards on 105 carries) with an increased workload, he could put himself on an astounding pace.

It also depends on how long Brown will miss, but he could finish the year with his first 1,000-yard season since 2003. With Williams, a man who believes strongly in a one-day-at-a-time approach, there's no sense in looking that far ahead.

But make no mistake: Nobody sees him slowing down anytime soon.

``He looks like he could play forever, man,'' fullback Lousaka Polite said. ``That guy is built to last.''