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Published Wednesday
May 3, 2006
Ricky Williams looks at move to CFL
THE MIAMI HERALD
MIAMI - Suspended Dolphins running back Ricky Williams might soon add Canada to his list of places he has called home.
Agent Leigh Steinberg said Tuesday night that Williams said he would consider playing for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League next season. Steinberg also said he would begin negotiations with the team shortly.
Meanwhile, the Dolphins will entertain another player with numerous off-field issues. The team invited undrafted rookie quarterback Marcus Vick to participate in its rookie minicamp this weekend, a person close to the team said.
Vick has not been offered a contract. The minicamp essentially will be an elaborate tryout.
As for Williams, Steinberg said the running back decided to pursue a contract with the Argonauts after speaking with Dolphins coach Nick Saban on Friday. It was unclear Tuesday night whether the Dolphins had given Williams permission to play in the CFL. The Dolphins have the right to prevent Williams from playing elsewhere because of a standard clause in NFL contracts.
"Ricky is open to it, so we'll see what's there," said Steinberg, who spoke with Toronto Assistant General Manager Greg Mohns on Tuesday. "We have haven't gotten into specifics of a deal yet. On the plus side, this is an opportunity to have him compete and stay in football shape while having some economic benefit.
"Toronto is one of the nicest Canadian cities, the organization is one of the best in the CFL, and they have a good coach who is open to players like Ricky. The minus is, obviously, the prospect of him getting hurt."
Steinberg said the economic benefit could be limited. He said Mohns told him that the general limit for player salaries is $150,000, although quarterbacks often make more. The CFL has a salary cap of $3.8 million per team, although it is not a hard cap and is in the process of being implemented.
Williams could exceed that salary limitation and might be able to get incentives based on attendance.
"There's no question that they really want him, so we'll see what they're willing to do," Steinberg said.
Williams' salary potential could impact the Dolphins' decision, because they understand he has financial responsibilities, including support of three children and another on the way. Williams has a paternity settlement with one of the three mothers that requires him to pay $50,400 annually.
In addition, having Williams play football might be more favorable for the Dolphins than other possible activities during his NFL suspension of at least one year for violation of the league's substance-abuse policy. In 2004, when Williams retired, he traveled the world (including stops in Japan, Thailand and Australia, where he lived in a tent) and attended a school of holistic medicine in California. He also studied yoga in India.
"This would be a structured, football environment for him," Steinberg said.
As for Vick, he will take part in a three-day minicamp Friday through Sunday. Vick, the younger brother of Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, was not selected in the NFL Draft last weekend after a troubled college career. He was kicked off the Virginia Tech team in January after a series of incidents, including stomping on the leg of Louisville defensive end Elvis Dumervil during the Gator Bowl.
A week after being dismissed from the team, Vick was arrested in January after brandishing a firearm in a dispute with three teens in a McDonald's parking lot. He also was suspended for the 2004 season after playing in parts of the 2003 season.
Saban would not confirm or deny whether Vick was invited to the minicamp.
The 6-0, 200-pound Vick impressed NFL personnel by running the 40-yard dash in 4.47 seconds at the NFL combine.
I think he would tear it up in the CFL. He migh set the season rushing record.
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