Former teammates predict Williams retirement will last

DAVIE, Fla. -- With running back Ricky Williams ready to reverse directions and come out of retirement, his former Miami Dolphins' teammates were mixed in their reaction Wednesday.\nDefensive end David Bowens said he would like to see Williams rejoin the Dolphins, in part because they're 0-4. But Pro Bowl linebacker Zach Thomas said he doubted that help from Williams is on the way.\n"He will not be playing for the Dolphins," Thomas predicted. "He's got too many things with the fans and too much with the media, and that's the reason he ran from it in the first place. He wouldn't come back here."\nThomas might be right. Gary Ostrow, an attorney who has represented Williams, said the 2002 NFL rushing champion hopes to receive clearance from the league to play again before the Oct. 19 trade deadline so he can be dealt by Miami.\nWilliams asked the NFL for a hearing to clarify his status following repeated violations of the league drug program. The Dolphins say their understanding is he must serve a suspension for the rest of this season, and the NFL has declined to comment.\n"It's very murky water, and Ricky has asked for a clarification," Ostrow said. "He would like the option to play for another team."\nContributing to Williams' change of heart about playing was an arbitration ruling Sept. 24 that he must repay more than $8.6 million to the Dolphins for breaching his contract. There's also the $3.5 million salary he has done without while traveling the world.\nHe's expressed an interest in playing for the Oakland Raiders. Their coach is Norv Turner, who was Williams' offensive coordinator during his two seasons in Miami.\n"The Raiders would fit Ricky's personality better anyway," Ostrow said. "But he may not have many options other than going back to the Dolphins. How many teams are going to have an interest in him other than Norv, who has a relationship with him?"\nWhether Miami would welcome him back is uncertain. He caused a lot of resentment by retiring in July, shortly before training camp. The Dolphins haven't won a game since he left, and at 0-4 they're off to their worst start in 38 years going into Sunday's game at New England.\n"It has been very difficult," coach Dave Wannstedt said. "The guy was 65 or 70 percent of our offense. I don't think we would have redone our whole offensive line and started from scratch if we knew we were going to have to start from scratch at the running back position."\nIn the days following Williams' retirement, center Seth McKinney called it selfish and stupid. Williams in turn disparaged McKinney's blocking. Williams said players had no respect for Wannstedt, and even poked fun at the coach's mustache. Defensive tackle Larry Chester said Williams was acting like a bitter girlfriend and owed the team an apology.