The Ricky Williams era in Miami came to a close Monday when the veteran running back signed a two-year deal with the Baltimore Ravens.

Williams will earn $2.5 million in base pay, but performance incentives could drive the contract up to $4 million, according to ESPN.com.

Williams had been the longest-tenured Dolphin, coming to Miami via a trade with New Orleans in 2002. That is quite an accomplishment, considering he abruptly retired before the 2004 season and missed all of the 2006 season due to a drug-related suspension.

He had become a fan favorite in his first two season in Miami, leading the NFL in rushing in 2002. But his retirement ahead of a suspension for marijuana use made him a pariah, and Williams spent the better part of his brief retirement in California and Australia.

But Williams managed to win back Dolfans by becoming a key contributor to Miami's 2008 division-winning squad. He combined forces with Ronnie Brown in the Wildcat attack which shocked Dolphins opponents and helped the team to its first playoff appearance in 7 years.

Now Brown and Williams are out the door.

Williams also opened up about his struggles with social anxiety and borderline personality disorder.

In 2009, after Brown was lost to the season to a foot injury, Williams rushed for 1,121 yards, his first 1,000-yard season since 2004.

But with rookie draftee Daniel Thomas and free-agent pickup Reggie Bush joining the team in 2011, all of a sudden there was no room for Williams in the Dolphins' backfield. He will back up Ray Rice in Baltimore.