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Williams' path to bonuses eased

DAVIE -- The Dolphins are so happy with Ricky Williams, they sweetened his contract before he even played a game.

The Dolphins and their new running back agreed to a revised incentive package that makes it easier for him to earn bonuses, senior vice president Rick Spielman said Monday.

The deal was sealed on the eve of Sunday's opener, when Williams ran for 111 yards and two touchdowns to help Miami beat Detroit 49-21.

One change in the contract, which runs through 2006, is that any bonus Williams earns will be added to his base salary in subsequent seasons.

For example, Williams' performance against the Lions put him on pace to rush for 1,776 yards. That would mean a $1.6-million bonus this year, and his base salary in future years also would increase by $1.6-million annually.

This season Williams' base pay is the NFL minimum of $450,000.

Last season with New Orleans, he rushed for 1,245 yards, caught 60 passes and scored seven touchdowns. A similar performance this season would earn Williams about $23-million over the length of the contract, agent Leigh Steinberg said.

Williams qualifies for a bonus by reaching 750 yards rushing, 35 receptions, 300 yards receiving or seven touchdowns. Those minimums are lower than under the old agreement.

He can also receive bonuses for playing time and each postseason victory.

KICKER'S CAREER IN DANGER: Brett Conway's career could be over because of a torn leg muscle.

Conway hurt his leg kicking a field goal in the first half of the Redskins' victory over Arizona on Sunday. He arrived at Redskins Park holding a large white envelope that contained his MRI exam results.

"It shows a lot of tears in it," Conway said. "It's probably the worst I've seen."

The tears are in the quadriceps, and it's the fourth major injury in Conway's career. Last month, he was sidelined with a hip flexor. At 27, he realizes his career is in jeopardy.

"The hardest thing is finding out why this keeps happening to me," he said. "We can't even figure that part out. It's tough."

BENGALS: Quarterback Gus Frerotte had the thumb on his passing hand tightly wrapped a day after spraining it during a third-quarter sack. He expects to be able to play in Cleveland on Sunday. If the thumb is too sore, Jon Kitna would be next in line.

BROWNS: Starting offensive tackle Ryan Tucker, who went out with a knee injury Sunday, does not have a torn ligament. Tucker hurt his left knee during the first quarter and didn't return.

CHARGERS: Pro Bowl safety Rodney Harrison could be out 2-3 weeks with a pulled groin.

COWBOYS: Linebacker Dat Nguyen had surgery on his broken right wrist and is out 6 to 8 weeks.

Nguyen, who recorded the second-most tackles in team history with 172 last season, was injured Sunday but continued to play.

GIANTS: Halfback Tiki Barber has more than a pulled hamstring to worry about for Sunday's game against the Rams.

Barber said after practice that he sprained the second toe on his right foot during Thursday's 16-13 loss to the 49ers. The injury was so painful Barber had trouble walking after the game.

Barber missed practice but said he expects to play Sunday.

JAGUARS: Coach Tom Coughlin gave punt returner Damon Gibson a big vote of nonconfidence and a good reason to start worrying about his job.

Gibson made a bad judgment in a 28-25 loss to the Colts when he fielded a punt that bounced past him in the third quarter.

He muffed the punt, the Colts recovered, and three plays later they scored a touchdown for a 21-17 lead they never relinquished.

Asked if Gibson would be the punt returner Sunday at Kansas City, Coughlin responded, "It's noon on Monday."

LIONS: Mike McMahon will be the starting quarterback even though he was benched in favor of rookie Joey Harrington during a 49-21 loss to the Dolphins.

McMahon completed 13 of 25 passes for 179 yards and a touchdown, but he was intercepted on the first play of the second half, setting up an easy score.

RAIDERS: Running back Zack Crockett was cleared by team doctors to play at Pittsburgh on Sunday after injuring his neck against Seattle.

RAMS: Former Bucs middle linebacker Jamie Duncan, who dislocated two fingers a month ago in a preseason game, might play wearing a cast against the Giants.

SEAHAWKS: Quarterback Trent Dilfer is recovering from a sprained knee quicker than expected, and he could be ready to start the home opener against Arizona on Sunday.

The former Buc is expected to practice fully Wednesday for the first time since spraining his right knee in a preseason game Aug. 10. He was supposed to be out 1-2 months.

TITANS: Defensive end Jevon Kearse had a screw inserted into his broken left foot and could return in six weeks.

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