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After his tumultuous past, I never thought I’d see this day. But so happy are the Miami Dolphins with running back Ricky Williams, they signed him to a one-year contract extension through the 2009-10 season yesterday. Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland said the team wanted to extend Ricky’s deal so he didn’t become a free agent after this season:

“I wasn’t here in the past so I don’t really know if he had a lack of dedication in the past. I mean, I know what I read and I know what circulates in NFL circles. But when we sat down coming here, we said, ‘We’re going to give this guy every benefit of the doubt. And he’s got to show us that he is dedicated.’ And he’s done everything that we’ve asked him to do. And we feel very good about our decision to extend him.”

With RB Ronnie Brown still on the mend from a torn ligament in his right knee, Ricky’s the number one running back on this team (according to the team’s depth chart) with something to prove. And I believe he’s up to the challenge. Ronnie will need sufficient time to heal and Ricky’s recent good play will allow Ronnie to return at a somewhat slower pace. For the preseason, Ricky tied for the team lead in rushing with 29 carries for 123 yards and one touchdown and had two catches for eight yards. But even with a recent thumb injury, Ronnie is not backing down. He had 12 carries for 47 yards and one touchdown against the Saints in last week’s final preseason game. Ricky Williams or Ronnie Brown? Right now it’s all good news for the Dolphins.

Sources: MiamiDolphins.com, Yahoo! Sports, Photo: Newscom

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Ricky Williams Gets Contract Extension

Tony Sparano should just go ahead and change his name to Tony Soprano. He’s going to get that a lot. But whatever you want to call him, he’s the new head coach of the Miami Dolphins. While you’re at it, you might as well start calling the Miami Dolphins the Miami Cowboys as another Dallas transplant (Coach Soprano … I mean Sparano was the assistant head coach in Dallas) has landed in South Beach (Bill Parcells and GM Jeff Ireland preceded).

This Miami gig has been somewhat of a revolving door since ‘04 (Dave Wannstedt, Jim Bates, Nick Saban and Cam Cameron), but Bill Parcells’ endorsement suggests Coach Sparano might last awhile. The list of “Parcells Proteges” who have become NFL coaches includes Bill Belichick, Tom Coughlin, Sean Payton, Romeo Crennel and Eric Mangini. Coach Sparano wouldn’t mind having his name in that group. And I believe he will. If Bill Parcells gives this guy his recommendation, that’s good enough for me. Coach Sparano is a high-character guy, he understands how to develop young players, and he will instill a much-needed culture of winning in Miami.

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Tony Sparano Named to Coach Dolphins