Ricky Williams Has A New Home!

NFL.COM Reports that suspended RB Ricky Williams has signed with the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League.

Suspended for the 2006 season by the NFL after a fourth positive drug test, Williams signed a $240,000, one-year contract with the Toronto Argonauts -- a deal making him the highest-paid running back in the Canadian league.

Williams, who's still under contract with the Miami Dolphins, is expected to begin practicing with his new team Monday; the Argonauts open preseason play this weekend and start their regular season at home against Hamilton June 17. The 18-game regular season runs through late October.

A former Heisman Trophy winner, Williams missed Miami's first four games last year following his third positive test, and lost an appeal over the fourth -- which carries a mandatory one-year ban. But the desire to continue playing and earning led him to Toronto, adding another chapter to the enigmatic player's resume.

Before the signing was formally announced, Dolphins coach Nick Saban issued a statement saying the team left the decision about playing in the CFL up to Williams.

Steelers Rookie WR Arrested

The AP reports that Pittsburgh Steelers' wide receiver Santonio Holmes was arrested for disorderly conduct at a hotel in South Beach, police said.

Holmes was arrested the night of May 26. He was released from jail after he signed a promissory note to appear in court to be arraigned, Miami Beach police spokesman Bobby Hernandez said.

The events leading to Holmes' arrest weren't released by police.

Steelers spokesman Dave Lockett said he didn't know about the arrest and couldn't immediately comment on it. Holmes was the Steelers' first-round pick in April out of Ohio State.

Can McNair Fly with the Ravens?

There is talk around the NFL that delaying the decision in Steve McNair's grievance until June 1 could restart trade talks between the Ravens and the Tennessee Titans.

Should trade talks resume, what exactly is McNair's worth to the Ravens?

McNair, who was the NFL's Co-MVP just two years ago, may or may not have much left in the tank. That's the million dollar question!

While the Ravens' offer of a fifth-round pick was turned down on the second day of the draft. Titans general manager Floyd Reese has since insinuated that his previous demand of a fourth-rounder has since gone up. Many NFL executives believe that McNair does not even warrant a first DAY pick. The consensus ranges from fourth to sixth round draft pick.

"If [the Titans] get more than a fourth-round pick, they ought to give Reese a big raise," said Gil Brandt, a former Dallas Cowboys executive and now a senior analyst for the NFL's Web site. "People are smart enough to know that he is going to be released unless they can redo his contract. There's no purpose to trade and give up the store for that guy."

A conditional pick - one that increases based on playing time, amount of wins or a playoff appearance - could be the best way to bridge the gap between the Ravens and the Titans.

In the event of a trade, the Ravens want to obtain McNair as soon as possible to integrate him into their offensive system. The Titans, on the other hand, need to unload McNair's $23.46 million salary cap number by late July so they can sign their draft picks. As time goes on, the Titans lose leverage. If they wait too long, they may have to take whatever the Ravens offer - or simply release him.

Some speculate that adding McNair could return Baltimore to the playoffs. Only time will tell.

Fantasy Football News: Receiver Harrison to Undergo Surgery

Marvin Harrison, the Colts' seven-time Pro Bowl wide receiver, left mini-camp early on Sunday to return to his hometown of Philadelphia, Pa., where he is scheduled to undergo elbow surgery Monday. Harrison has already gone through wrist surgery this offseason.

"Marvin's going to get his surgery done on his elbow that he's been having trouble with," Colts Head Coach Tony Dungy said Sunday. "It was planned. We just couldn't get a late flight to get him back there in time."

Harrison, who has played in the last seven Pro Bowls, caught 82 passes for a team-high 1,146 yards and a team-high 12 touchdowns last season. He sustained a wrist injury late last season.

"It's just some things he played with and played through," Dungy said. "We just want to get them taken care of. It should be, from what I understand, a very clean procedure, and in about a month be back to normal."

Fantasy Football: Bush Gets MRI

Reggie Bush underwent an MRI exam on his left hamstring after he spent all three days of the Saints' rookie camp limited to watching or participating in half-speed drills.

Bush and Saints coach Sean Payton so far have shown only minimal concern about the injury.

"It feels good, but obviously not 100 percent," said Bush, adding he could not recall having a hamstring injury before. "That's why we're taking precaution."

Bush said he expected to be "100 percent" by the end of the week, well ahead of the Saints' full-squad minicamp slated for June 2-4.

Fantasy Football News: Doug Flutie Retires

Doug Flutie retired Monday, ending a 21-year career in which the diminutive Heisman Trophy winner threw one of college football's most famous passes and went on to play a dozen seasons in the NFL.

The decision by the 43-year-old Flutie was announced by the New England Patriots, for whom he played five games last season.

Flutie spent 12 seasons in the NFL and also played in the USFL and the Canadian Football League. He won the CFL's Most Outstanding Player award six times and the league's Grey Cup championship three times.

Flutie finishes with 14,715 passing yards and 86 touchdowns in the NFL, spending most of his time as a backup. Last season, he attempted just 10 passes and converted the league's first drop kick for an extra point since the 1941 NFL title game

Fantasy Football News: Jimmy Smith Retires

"This is a day I've been trying to get to my whole career. I reached my goal to have played in a long and illustrious career in the NFL," Smith said in a press conference that was hastily-arranged this morning following Smith's surprising announcement that he was retiring.

Smith's rise to fame in the NFL was as improbable as the Jaguars' meteoric rise to success, and it was no coincidence that the Jaguars didn't hit their stride until Smith hit his. It was in the second half of the Jaguars' second season that Smith and the Jaguars came to life simultaneously, as Smith's late-season surge led the Jaguars to the AFC title game, the capping blow having been his game-winning touchdown catch in Denver.

Records have fallen since then. Smith has led the Jaguars in receiving yards in each of the last 10 seasons and ranks seventh in NFL history with 862 receptions and 11th with 12,287 receiving yards.

"A sad day in one respect," owner Wayne Weaver said. "This is kind of the end of an era in Jaguars history and I can tell you it was a great era. Jimmy will always be remembered as one of our early heroes," said Weaver.

"I thought I had another year in me," Smith said. "You guys know I've been going back and forth. It's best to leave on top. Not many guys get to do what I'm doing today; walk away happy."

Smith hinted at retirement following the Jaguars' 28-3 playoff loss in New England, after a game that was not one of Smith's best. He said he struggled during the winter on a decision to play another season.

"This is not a total surprise," coach Jack Del Rio said. "It was something I was trying to have him put off. I was trying to buy another year. He felt, in his heart, it was the right thing to do. I will miss Jimmy."

Smith's retirement leaves the Jaguars with a young corps of wide receivers. Two of them – Reggie Williams and Matt Jones – are first-round draft choices. Wilford was the team's second-leading receiver, behind Smith, last season. Cortez Hankton and Chad Owens move up the pecking order.

"It's hard because I know I can still go out there and do it. It's just best for me to leave. Now, with camp just around the corner, I just don't think I can do it," Smith said.

Smith was asked if drug-testing had forced his retirement decision. "I've been playing for 36 years. I'm tired. Leave it at that," Smith said.

Smith was in the final year of a contract that was to pay him $3.6 million in salary this year. That salary savings is credited to the Jaguars' salary cap.

Excel Virus Targets Fantasy Football Fans

CNET is reporting news of a virus attacking fantasy football fans throughout the UK.

While the "football" in this case is soccer, it illustrates the danger of accessing files from persons or web sites you don't know.

The XF97/Yagnuul-A virus can infect users' .xls spreadsheets once the attachment is opened. The virus deploys an infected fantasy league file on the computer's hard drive and may also modify a user's data, according to an alert Monday from security company Sophos.

Statleader.com is an internet-based fantasy football service where the downloading of spreadsheets is not required. Our service includes player rankings, drafting assistance, player point projections, and more.

Antowain Smith's a Texan

The Houston Texans agreed to terms with running back Antowain Smith on Monday, giving the team a backup for starter Domanick Davis. Not quite a Reggie Bush, (whom the Texans let go by selecting DE Mario Williams in the draft) Antowain Smith filled in for Deuce McAllister last year after he suffered a season-ending knee injury and ran for 659 yards and three touchdowns.

Smith attended the University of Houston and has 6,881 yards rushing and 54 touchdowns in nine NFL seasons. He has also played for Tennessee, New England and Buffalo.

49ers Trade Dorsey for Dilfer

The San Francisco 49ers announced Thursday they have traded Ken Dorsey and an undisclosed selection in the 2007 draft to the Cleveland Browns for QB Trent Dilfer.

"Trent was a player we had interest in last season," Head Coach Mike Nolan said. "We were looking for a veteran quarterback with experience that could help mentor Alex Smith. Trent fits the bill on both counts and we are excited to have him with the 49ers."

Heading into the NFL Draft, Nolan and Vice President of Player Personnel Scot McCloughan both discussed the importance of surrounding their young quarterback with weapons. McCloughan said the trade falls along those same lines, adding another weapon to Smith's arsenal.

"It's like drafting tight end Vernon Davis in my mind because adding a veteran like Trent for Alex to go to will just help him develop at a faster pace and become the quarterback we know he can be both on and off the field," said McCloughan.

Dilfer (6-4, 234), a 13-year veteran from Fresno State, was originally drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the sixth overall choice in the 1994 draft. He spent six seasons with Tampa Bay (1994-99) before moving to the Baltimore Ravens in 2000 where he won a Super Bowl Championship in his only season with the team. Dilfer then signed as an unrestricted free agent with the Seattle Seahawks where he spent four seasons (2001-04) before being traded to Cleveland in 2005.

In his career, Dilfer has started 107 career games, completing 1,646-of-2,953 games with 106 touchdowns and 117 interceptions. He earned Pro Bowl recognition in Tampa Bay in 1997, after passing for 2,555 yards and 21 touchdowns. In 2005, Dilfer started 11 games for the Browns, completing 199-of-333 passes for 2,321 yards with 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

Dorsey (6-4, 218), just completed his third year with San Francisco. He has started 10 games in his career, completing 171-of-316 passes for eight touchdowns and 11 interceptions. In 2005, Dorsey started three games, completing 48-of-90 passes for 481 yards. Dorsey threw two touchdowns and two interceptions.

Marcus Vick's Last Chance?

Bratty little brother Marcus Vick has been invited to a 3-day mini-camp with the Miami Dolphins.

"As we did last year, we are going to bring in a number of unsigned players to our rookie minicamp, strictly for evaluation purposes," "This doesn't mean we are about to offer any of them a contract. All we are doing is finding out as much as possible about each of these players. This is a continuation of our overall evaluation process and does not imply a commitment of any kind." Dolphin Coach Saban said.

The Dolphins, who drafted two receivers but no quarterbacks last weekend, were in the market for passers at the rookie minicamp.

Well, why not? They needed somebody to throw to the rookies!

Michael Vick recently said his brother has matured greatly over the past few months but needs someone "to take him under their wing."

Maybe not being drafted was the smack-in-his-empty-head that he needed. Stay tuned for more drama!

Fantasy Football News - Steve McNair

Steve McNair's agent Bus Cook said Sunday that the Titans' were considering releasing McNair or possibly trading him to the Ravens.

"Steve's a Tennessee Titan. That has not changed," Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome said.

The Titans drafted Texas quarterback Vince Young with the No. 3 overall pick Saturday as McNair's successor. Tennessee has been looking for a way to reduce or eliminate the $23+ million salary cap number McNair is scheduled to count for in the 2006/2007 season.

The NFL Players Association filed a grievance earlier this month when the Titans barred McNair from working out on their property, fearing an injury would make them liable for his entire salary-cap number.

Tennessee won't need salary cap relief until July when it's time to start signing Young and the other nine draft picks. The last time the Titans had a pay-cut showdown with a top player was in 2004 with running back Eddie George, the franchise's all-time leading rusher. He finally asked for, and received, his release a week before training camps opened in July.

Fisher said this situation is difficult considering all McNair has meant to the franchise, leading them to their only Super Bowl appearance and two AFC championship games.

"Steve has been around long enough to understand that you have to separate the business side from everything else. Steve has confidence in his abilities. Steve is not finished playing. He's determined to prove that he can play and play at a very high level," Fisher said.