Williams Files Papers to Officially Retire

Ricky Williams filed retirement papers with the NFL that probably will prevent him from playing this season, even if he changes his mind about quitting.

The Miami Dolphins were informed Monday that the papers were filed with the NFL Management Council on Williams’ behalf late last week. Last month, a week before the start of training camp, he told the Dolphins that he had decided to retire at 27.

The papers aren’t binding. But because Williams was in the league’s substance-abuse program, he can’t return for one year without penalty. Williams has said he’s a three-time offender in the program, meaning the penalty would be an indefinite suspension that would prohibit him from playing this season. The Dolphins receive immediate salary-cap credit for the running back’s $3.6-million base salary this season.

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Larry Fitzgerald, the wide receiver from Pittsburgh who was the No. 3 overall pick in the draft, agreed to a six-year contract that could be worth up to $60 million.

That puts him in a financial bracket as high or perhaps higher than the first two draft picks. About $20 million is guaranteed, said a source close the negotiations who spoke to Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

Quarterback Eli Manning, the No. 1 pick of the draft, also received $20 million guaranteed from the New York Giants but had $54 million in incentives.

Offensive tackle Robert Gallery, the No. 2 pick, reportedly received $18.5 million guaranteed and up to $60 million in incentives from the Oakland Raiders.

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Tackle Mike Williams was excused from the second of two Buffalo Bill practice sessions for what the team called personal reasons. Coach Mike Mularkey indicated Williams could be back today.

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Wide receiver Joe Jurevicius, one of the leaders of Tampa Bay’s run to the Super Bowl two years ago, will undergo back surgery that will keep him out indefinitely. Jurevicius sat out most of last season because of a knee injury.

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Hall of Fame wide receiver Paul Warfield, 61, who had two stints with the Cleveland Browns in the late 1960s and late 1970s, returned to the team as a scout and career planning consultant.

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Wide receiver Roy Williams, the No. 7 overall pick, made his first appearance at the Detroit Lions’ training camp.

“It’s fun to be out here and start working,” Williams said. “I only missed a day and a half of practices, and I’m caught up already.”

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Edgerrin James said that he intends to play out the final year of his contract with the Indianapolis Colts, dispelling any notion he would seek a trade to the Miami Dolphins.

“When next year comes, I’ll worry about next year,” James said. “Right now, I’m here, so I’ll worry about that.”

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Shortly after the end of last season, Cincinnati Bengal Coach Marvin Lewis signed a new four-year contract that will pay him more than $2 million a season, a Bengal spokesman said.

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Tennessee’s Peter Sirmon twisted his left knee during the Titans’ first training camp session in full pads, and Coach Jeff Fisher said the linebacker would have an MRI exam.

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The New York Giants waived free-agent running backs Antwoine Womack and Jermaine Jones and signed running backs Derrick Knight and Chris Douglas.

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New England Patriot defensive lineman Rodney Bailey is out for the season after undergoing surgery on his torn Achilles’ tendon. The Patriots also released offensive tackle Jack Fadule.