NFL

Smith hints at return for 16th season

By wire services
Published December 17, 2004

TEMPE, Ariz. - Fifteen seasons might not be not enough for Emmitt Smith.

The league's all-time leading rusher sounds as if he would like to come back for a 16th, with the Cardinals or another team.

"I don't have a problem playing next year," he said after Thursday's practice.

Smith stopped just short of saying for sure he will come back.

"I'm not totally happy with the I way I performed in terms of the success of the team and all," he said. "But I wanted to make a contribution, and I feel like I have made a contribution. And I think I've got a lot in me to make more contributions to this team or wherever it may be if I choose to continue on."

Smith, 35, has rushed for 732 yards in 202 carries, an average of 3.6 yards, and scored nine touchdowns. A sore big left toe kept him out of one game, and his carries have dwindled in the other three games of a four-game losing streak largely because the team has had to abandon the run while playing from behind.

Coach Dennis Green, who has said he believed this was Smith's final season, said he wanted nothing to do with the subject.

"I haven't thought about anything except the Rams right now," said Green, whose 4-9 team plays St. Louis on Sunday.

Smith, the NFL's career rushing leader with 18,150 yards and counting, is in the last year of a two-year, $7.5-million contract he signed after leaving Dallas. Injuries shortened his 2003 season. Then the Cardinals hired Green, who made Smith the starter.

"I've enjoyed my stay here with Dennis," Smith said. "He's given me an opportunity to get back on the football field and showcase my talent, whereas earlier this year there was a chance I was going to be a backup."

NEW YORK - Ricky Williams insists the Dolphins' dismal season isn't his fault.

"That's their problem. It's not my problem anymore," Williams told 60 Minutes in an interview to air Sunday. "I played as hard as I could whenever I put that uniform on, but I'm not doing that anymore, you know? I moved on."

The Dolphins are 2-11 after Williams, 27, retired shortly before training camp in July.

"I didn't know ahead of time or I would have given them a clue," he said.

Williams said a third failed drug test made him retire because he was "scared to death" people would find out he smoked marijuana.

BEARS: Linebacker Brian Urlacher likely will miss Sunday's game with a left hamstring injury, and coach Lovie Smith said he is not sure when Urlacher will return. Asked what the MRI exam taken this week revealed, Urlacher said, "The MRI said I would be doubtful for this weekend. That's what it said."

CHARGERS: Training camp will be held in San Diego next summer after the past two seasons in the Los Angeles suburb of Carson.

COWBOYS: Quarterback Drew Henson was dropped to No.3 with Tony Romo moving up to No. 2. Romo has been with the team since the start of last season without taking a snap. Henson said he doesn't believe it is a demotion. Henson, who started on Thanksgiving but was replaced at halftime, said he understands coach Bill Parcells wants to give Romo and starter Vinny Testaverde more practice time with the first unit.

PANTHERS: Todd Sauerbrun was arrested on suspicion of driving while impaired and released on $1,700 bond. Coach John Fox said Sauerbrun, who leads the NFC in punting average, will play Saturday.

REDSKINS: Linebacker LaVar Arrington is likely to return in a limited role Saturday after missing the past 11 games with knee injuries. A final decision will not be made until Saturday morning. Arrington has not played since Sept. 19. He had surgery for a lateral meniscus tear in his right knee Sept.23 then aggravated a bone bruise condition while pushing himself to return.

STEELERS: Receiver Plaxico Burress will sit out Saturday, missing his fourth consecutive game because of a sore hamstring. Burress said he believes missing one more game should allow him to play Dec.26 against the Ravens.

[Last modified December 17, 2004, 00:35:28]