Williams wants trade

Dolphins' reactions mixed regarding return

? With running back Ricky Williams ready to reverse directions and come out of retirement, his former Miami Dolphins teammates were mixed in their reaction Wednesday.

Defensive end David Bowens said he would like to see Williams rejoin the Dolphins, in part because they’re 0-4. But Pro Bowl linebacker Zach Thomas said he doubted that help from Williams was on the way.

“He will not be playing for the Dolphins,” Thomas predicted. “He’s got too many things with the fans and too much with the media, and that’s the reason he ran from it in the first place. He wouldn’t come back here.”

Thomas might be right. Gary Ostrow, an attorney who has represented Williams, said the 2002 NFL rushing champion hoped to receive clearance from the league to play again before the Oct. 19 trade deadline so he could be dealt by Miami.

Contributing to Williams’ change of heart about playing was an arbitration ruling Sept. 24 that he must repay more than $8.6 million to the Dolphins for breaching his contract. There’s also the $3.5 million salary he has done without while traveling the world.

He has expressed an interest in playing for the Oakland Raiders. Their coach is Norv Turner, who was Williams’ offensive coordinator during his two seasons in Miami.