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Around the NFL

Compiled from Times wires

© St. Petersburg Times, published April 24, 2001

The agent for Ricky Williams is exploring ways for the New Orleans Saints running back to be traded to the Dolphins, the Miami Herald reported Monday.

Williams reached agent David Dunn on Saturday night, the newspaper said. Although the Cleveland Browns, Buffalo Bills and Chicago Bears also are interested in Williams, the former Heisman Trophy winner wants to be traded only to the Dolphins, the Herald said.

The Saints selected two running backs in the weekend's draft, including Deuce McAllister 23rd overall. Williams told the New Orleans Times-Picayune he was pleased with the selections and they will make the team better.

Miami coach Dave Wannstedt played down his team's interest one day after personnel boss Rick Spielman called Saints general manager Randy Mueller to ask about Williams' availability.

"It was a 30-second conversation, and then it was on to the next subject," Wannstedt said. "There was no conversation like, "Are you guys going to trade him? This is what we'll offer.' This is blown way out of proportion."

Browns director of football operations Dwight Clark called the Saints after they selected McAllister to see if they would be interested in trading Williams. "They didn't want to talk about it at all," he said.

Asked Sunday about a trade, Mueller said, "It would be prohibitive. Even if we were interested, we couldn't do it. We'd have to cut players, and it would tear our team apart. We're working on getting better, not worse."

The Herald said the Saints told Miami they can't trade Williams because the prorated portion of his signing bonus would accelerate into this season in one lump sum. The Saints told the Dolphins that would cost them about $3.5-million against the cap; the actual figure is $5.7-million.

The only way the Saints could get cap relief out of a trade would be if Williams returned all or part of the $5.7-million. Under the collective bargaining agreement, the Saints still would take the cap hit this year, but they would get a cap credit next year for what portion of the signing bonus Williams agreed to return.

BENGALS: Defensive lineman John Copeland, who had spent his entire eight-year career with the team, was released, two days after Cincinnati made defensive end Justin Smith its top pick in the draft.

Also, quarterback Akili Smith was acquitted of two misdemeanor drunken driving charges in San Diego. Smith was pulled over Feb. 8 for driving the wrong way on a one-way street.

BRONCOS: Free-agent fullback Howard Griffith is discussing a return, agent Mark Bartelstein said. Coach Mike Shanahan was "very optimistic."

EAGLES: Defensive end Mike Mamula, a first-round draft choice in 1995, was released.

"We really appreciate all of the time and effort Mike has given to this organization," coach Andy Reid said. "He helped get this program going again during my time here. But with the few new additions during the off-season, we decided to go in a different direction as far as Mike is concerned."

Last month the Eagles re-signed Brandon Whiting, who was competing with Mamula and started 11 games at defensive end opposite Hugh Douglas. The Eagles signed free-agent defensive end Nduke Kalu, who had been with the Washington Redskins, to a five-year contract last month. Saturday, they chose Mississippi defensive end Derrick Burgess in the third round of the draft.

COLLEGE FREE AGENTS: Three South Florida players hooked up with teams, including long snapper Ryan Benjamin, who signed with the Bucs. At least six Florida State players signed, their agents said.

Bulls defensive end Shawn Hay will sign this week with San Francisco, agent D. Robert Lewis said. Receiver Scott McCready, a graduate of King High, agreed to terms with New England. The Seminoles who signed were defensive end David Warren (Indianapolis); offensive tackle Tarlos Thomas (Philadelphia); punter Keith Cottrell (Detroit); tight end Ryan Sprague (Pittsburgh); center Jarad Moon (Carolina); and cornerback Clevan Thomas (Tennessee).

- Staff writers Antonya English and Brian Landman contributed to this report.

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