Mort reports Dolphins give Ricky Williams an extension through 2009...

[Rick]

   ESPNs Chris Mortensen is reporting the Miami Dolphins have given RB Ricky Williams a 1 year extension through 2009.  No other specific details were given about the deal.

  I am extremely happy about this deal.  Great move by the new regime!!!!

[Philly Fin Fan]

^^^
I thought he already had two years left on his contract? Is this like when Mort reported the Dolphins have "picked up" his contract for this season, when it wasn't an optional year to begin with?

[Rick]

^^ Ricky was signed by Miami until the end of the 2008 season.  He is supposed to make $730,000 this year.  In 2009, Ricky was to be a free agent.   

[Defense54]

I know he doesn't need any motivation , but its good to see him get rewarded for a change. Bill knows how to play him...........

[Banshee]

Awesome!    Given the right conditions, Ricky's gonna be a premiere back once again. 

[DolFan619]

http://blogs.sun-sentinel.com/sports_football_dolphins/2008/08/ricky-re-ups-fo.html

Ricky re-ups for another year according to ESPN report

According to a report on ESPN this morning, the Dolphins want Ricky Williams to stick around another year. The Dolphins wouldn't confirm the one-year contract extension. I've e-mailed his agent out in LA, but we'll ask GM Jeff Ireland later today when he meets with the media to discuss the cuts and waiver pickups.

What do you think? Did Ricky deserve extension? Do you think he'll be here another two seasons?

Here's the ESPN story

The Dolphins signed running back Ricky Williams to a one-year contract extension that will keep him in the Miami backfield through 2009, a source close to the veteran running back said.

The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, told ESPN's Chris Mortensen on Saturday that there was no signing bonus, but Williams' salary in 2009 could increase significantly over this year's base of $730,000.

The Miami tailback can increase his 2008 compensation with easily achievable incentives, the source said. Williams, 31, was scheduled to be a free agent in '09.

Dolphins officials had no comment on Williams' new pact.

Williams, the 2002 NFL rushing champion, has played in only 13 games since retiring in the summer of 2004. He has tested positive for marijuana at least four times since the Dolphins acquired him in 2002, and their franchise-record playoff drought began that same year.

In July, the 1998 Heisman Trophy winner said he felt good going into the Dolphins' season.

The Dolphins, coming off an embarrassing 1-15 season, are banking that he does.

Williams returned last year, but his comeback lasted less than one half. He gained only 15 yards on six carries before he fumbled, was stepped on and tore his chest muscle against Pittsburgh. Teamed with Ronnie Brown, who was on pace for a career season in 2007 before he tore a ligament in his right knee, Miami's running backs have lofty expectations.

> Posted by hfialkov at 11:01:02 AM

[DolFan619]

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/palmbeach/miamidolphins/entries/2008/08/31/dolphins_extend_rickys_contrac.html

Dolphins extend Ricky’s contract? Could be bad news for Ronnie

By Ben Volin | Sunday, August 31, 2008, 11:57 AM

The Dolphins are shedding veterans and hording draft picks, but reportedly have decided that a 31-year-old running back is in their future.

According to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen, the Dolphins have extended Ricky Williams’ contract another year, keeping him in Miami through the 2009 season.

The team has not confirmed the move. General manager Jeff Ireland will be speaking with the media at 2:30 p.m. today to discuss the roster, which was finalized (somewhat) Saturday afternoon.

Williams, who has played in just 13 games since 2003, can reportedly receive a significant increase next season from the $730,000 base salary he is earning in 2008, according to Mortensen.

The move, if true, keeps the Dolphins’ two-headed backfield of Williams and Ronnie Brown under contract for the next two seasons. But it also further clouds the future of Brown, the Dolphins’ No. 2 overall draft pick in 2005.

Not only is Brown 10 months removed from a torn ACL, he also is a much more expensive option at running back. He is due approximately $3.6 million in base salary in each of 2008 and 2009, and then $5 million in 2010, the last year of his rookie contract.

If Williams proves he can stay healthy (and stay away from the sticky icky), Brown could become expendable.

Williams rushed for 123 yards on 29 carries during the preseason, while Brown had just 17 carries for 53 yards while being limited by a sprained right thumb. Both should receive plenty of work this season, but Williams has become a favorite of Dolphins football czar Bill Parcells, and has passed Brown on the depth chart.

[YoFuggedaboutit]

Looks like Ricky's getting a reward for staying on track and keeping his nose clean..... plus I'm willing to bet that the Dolphins will forget about the $8.6 million judgment. 

[Bubba]

I know this is over simplified, but the 'fins don't have cap issues and both Ricky and Ronnie has been injury prone, I like the idea of keeping both of them.  I have also always been a fan of running a tandem of tailbacks, if not often that tandem has such talent.

[Banshee]

Everyone in the NFL is injury prone.   

[fyo]

Looks like Ricky's getting a reward for staying on track and keeping his nose clean..... plus I'm willing to bet that the Dolphins will forget about the $8.6 million judgment. 

I believe Wayne said that the $8.6 million would "go away" if Ricky fulfilled his (then new, now old) contract.

[TonyB0D]

F ricky, that selfish traitor.

[Banshee]

Let it go, man.   Hatred makes you sick. 

[YoFuggedaboutit]

Let it go, man.   Hatred makes you sick. 

I don't think he'll be saying that after Ricky busts out a 75 yard TD run against the stinkin, lousy Jets.

[DolFan619]

  Good for Ricky.  Hopefully this is FINALLY a sign that he's grown up, and his life is now on the straight and narrow.