Williams’ quick exit unexpected

The first sign of a change in Ricky Williams came when he returned from vacation in Australia last winter with a shaved head, the distinctive dreadlocks gone.

Now he’s gone, too. Williams has decided to retire at the peak of his career, stunning the Miami Dolphins and leaving an enormous void in their backfield less than a week before the start of training camp.

Williams, who rushed for 3,225 yards in two seasons with the Dolphins, phoned from Hawaii to inform coach Dave Wannstedt of his decision, then continued his travels by flying to Tokyo.

Williams has always been a breakaway threat. But retirement at age 27?

“I was completely surprised,” Wannstedt said Sunday. “My main thought process was to try to get Ricky to come back here, sit down, talk about some things and see if we can get this thing back on track. He obviously chose to go another direction.”

Long ambivalent about life in the spotlight, he said there’s no chance he’ll change his mind. But his agent, Leigh Steinberg, held out the possibility that the retirement could be temporary.

Williams might be back in South Florida by the end of the week, Steinberg said.

“Right now he seems at peace with his decision and intends to retire,” Steinberg said. “Whether it ends up being short term or long term, we’ll have to see.”

Williams told the Herald marijuana tests he failed had a minor influence on his decision, but were only one of many factors. In May, three South Florida newspapers reported that Williams tested positive for marijuana and faced a fine of at least $650,000 for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy for a second time since joining the Dolphins.

His attorney, Gary Ostrow, said there was no violation, and a ruling on Williams’ appeal was pending. But Williams told the Herald he has gotten around drug tests in the past by taking a special liquid players all over the league consume to avoid detection.

“I don’t know really what he was talking about,” Wannstedt said. He declined further comment on the subject.

Wannstedt said the retirement was a shock in part because Williams stayed in great shape during the offseason, participated in every practice and attended a team meeting as recently as June 22. Most teammates apparently had no clue about his retirement plan.

“This is certainly unexpected,” defensive end Jason Taylor said.

Even Steinberg was stunned. The agent said Williams first told him he was seriously considering retirement Wednesday.

“What a mind boggle,” Steinberg said. “He said he simply didn’t feel the passion and motivation that is a prerequisite for playing his position.”

Money wasn’t an issue, Steinberg said. Williams, who is single but has three young children, was to make at least $3.6 million this season, with incentives possibly pushing that as high as $6 million.

After winning the Heisman Trophy at Texas in 1998, Williams joined the New Orleans Saints when coach Mike Ditka used all of his draft picks to acquire the standout running back. Ditka said Sunday he hasn’t spoken with Williams in about six months and was taken aback by the retirement news.

“I’d love to talk to him and try to talk him out of it,” Ditka said from Chicago. “It seems kind of foolish to me, but I don’t know what’s on his mind. You’re just destroying a great career. He’s a talent. To let that all go to waste doesn’t make a lot of sense.”

Williams played three season for New Orleans but didn’t blossom until he was dealt in 2002 for two first-round draft picks to the Dolphins.

At times, Miami’s biggest trade since 1970 looked like a steal. Williams led the NFL in 2002 with 1,853 yards rushing and broke nine team records. Last season he ran for 1,372 yards despite little offensive support.

It’s just like Williams to go against the grain: He was never the stereotypical football player, and his passions include shopping, photography and film.

In 2001 he was diagnosed with social anxiety disorder, a condition contributing to his extreme shyness, and in New Orleans he often conducted interviews while wearing his helmet. He professed to be happy during his two seasons with Miami, but the trip to Australia may have whetted his appetite for more travel, and he said it changed his perspective on what’s important.

He’s not the first running back to retire at or near his peak. His friend Jim Brown quit at 30, Barry Sanders retired at 31 and Robert Smith quit at 28.

Fresh start for Boston

After only a few months as a Miami Dolphin, David Boston is starting to look and feel much more at home. In Dolphins strength coach John Gamble, he’s found a guy he can talk muscles and nutrition with. And in wide receivers coach Jerry Sullivan, he’s been reunited with the man who helped him achieve Pro Bowl status in 2001.

The David Boston who was said to be hard to get along with in San Diego has not been seen.

“It makes me wonder why people talk about having problems with him because he’s been a model guy since he’s been here,” Dolphins quarterback A.J. Feeley said. “He comes in and works out every day. Doesn’t say much. Keeps to himself. But he’s in and out, working hard.”

The Dolphins, who sent cornerback Jamar Fletcher and a conditional sixth-round draft choice to the Chargers to acquire Boston, are banking that he can regain that 2001 form, which saw him catch 98 passes for 1,598 yards and eight touchdowns.

“I think David’s a good player and I don’t view him as a bad guy. I think he’s a good guy. It just never fit with us,” San Diego coach Marty Schottenheimer said.

Around the league

The Rams signed first-round draft pick Steven Jackson to a five-year contract. Jackson was the 24th overall pick and the first running back taken. He ran for 3,625 yards and 39 touchdowns in three seasons at Oregon State. Financial terms were not released… . The Texans signed first-round pick (10th overall) Dunta Robinson to a six-year deal worth about $10.7 million. Robinson, a cornerback out of South Carolina, is the highest selection of any team to agree to terms… . The 49ers signed former University of Washington quarterback Cody Pickett, a seventh-round pick, to a three-year contract. Terms were not released.