Williams back on football fieldMiami running back issues apology on first day of practice.

Miami Dolphins running back Ricky Williams made all the right moves Monday.
First, he showed up for the Dolphins’ first training camp practice in Davie, Fla. Then he apologized for leaving the team in the lurch last season, said he was done with dope and submitted to a media interrogation regarding his surreal one-year retirement.
But one question — the first one — momentarily stumped him: Why did he return?
“Why? Why? I don’t know,” he said. “I don’t know.” - NFL Football -
Williams was greeted by teammates and cheered by fans on Monday. Lining up for his first play since the 2003 season, Williams took a handoff from Gus Frerotte and sprinted 20 yards to the goal line.
But there was no defense on the field, and Williams is sure to meet stiffer resistance in the weeks to come as he tries to regain favor and reclaim a starting job for the Dolphins, who fell to 4-12 last season. - NFL Football -
“There were things about life that I wanted to explore outside of football, and I had never had the chance,” Williams said at a news conference after practice. “I realize by making that decision, I affected the team in a negative way and upset a lot of fans. - NFL Football -
“I’m very regretful that people were hurt in the process of me doing that. I do realize that to a lot of people it comes off as being very selfish. So I do offer an apology to all the people who were negatively impacted.” - NFL Football -
When the topic turned to his admitted use of marijuana, Williams said he no longer smokes it. He faces a four-game suspension at the start of the season for violating the NFL substance-abuse policy.
His words of contrition seemed to satisfy teammates, including center Seth McKinney, who a year ago called Williams a quitter. - NFL Football -
“In the team meeting, he did what he had to do,” McKinney said. “He’s a man about it. We’re all being men about it. Nobody is holding any grudges. We all want him back. He’s a great player.”
Locker-room teasing helped lighten the mood, players said. Defensive tackle Larry Chester noted Williams’ long, scraggly beard and multidirectional hairdo.
“Guys were saying he looked like a little homeless guy,” Chester said. “It was all in fun.”
■ TWO OTHER TOP PICKS SIGN: No. 1 overall pick Alex Smith signing with the San Francisco 49ers was the big news Monday, but two other first-round choices also agreed to terms with the teams that drafted them. - NFL Football -
The New England Patriots were the first NFL team to sign a No. 1 pick this season when they agreed to terms with Fresno State offensive lineman Logan Mankins, the 32nd and final pick of the first round. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
The Philadelphia Eagles came to an agreement with USC defensive tackle Mike Patterson on a five-year deal. Patterson, the 31st pick in the draft, was a member of two national-championship teams with the Trojans. - NFL Football -
■ LAW WORKS OUT FOR LIONS: Cornerback Ty Law’s workout for the Detroit Lions on Monday may start the ball rolling on getting him to an NFL training camp.
According to Law’s agent, Carl Poston, Lions general manager Matt Millen was excited and surprised about how well Law worked out.
“They told us that they had to work some things around financially and they could give us an offer by (today),” Poston said. - NFL Football -
Law, who has been in four Pro Bowls, was released by New England. He has been rehabilitating a surgically-repaired left foot.
The Chiefs are one of a handful of teams that have kept in contact with Law as he has rehabbed. Law visited Kansas City in March, and the Chiefs have maintained weekly contact with his agents. Last week, president/general manager Carl Peterson told The Star that no contract has been offered to Law. - NFL Football -
■ JAYHAWK JOINS BROWNS: Former Kansas player David McMillan and the Cleveland Browns have reached agreement on a contract. McMillan, a defensive end with the Jayhawks, is expected to play outside linebacker in Cleveland’s new 3-4 defense. He had a career-high seven sacks as a senior. - NFL Football -
■ CARDINALS’ CAMP ON MOVE: The Arizona Cardinals are moving their training camp from Flagstaff, Ariz., because of a virus outbreak on the Northern Arizona University campus.
The team said late Monday afternoon that no decision had been made on where the camp will be located. Players are scheduled to gather Sunday, with workouts beginning next Monday.
Last week, more than 100 people attending summer camps at the university contracted the highly contagious norovirus, an illness that is not life-threatening but causes flulike symptoms.

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