ricky loses his appeal.....out for the year [Archive]

Steveo 90

04-27-2006, 06:57 PM

it looks like the argo's from the cfl have an interest

linkage (http://phinzmania.com/content/view/84/44/)

It might not be quite as attractive as the exotic locales to which he has become so accustomed as a well-practiced globetrotter the last two offseasons, but if erstwhile tailback Ricky Williams is interested in a paid junket to Canada, well, the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL might oblige.

Argos vice president of football operations Adam Rita confirmed Thursday afternoon that his club has placed Williams on its negotiation list, meaning Toronto now owns the exclusive CFL bargaining rights to the banished tailback. Under CFL rules, each team is permitted a 35-man negotiating list and can discuss a contract with those players, even if they are under NFL suspension.

The NFL announced on Tuesday that Williams' appeal of a fourth violation of the league substance abuse policy was denied and that he is suspended for one year. This marks the second time in three years that Williams will sit out a full season. Williams missed the 2004 campaign when he abruptly retired, only days before the start of training camp that summer, following his third violation of the substance abuse policy.

Williams can apply for reinstatement to the league after one year.

During that year, Rita reasoned, Williams is going to have to stay in shape if he plans to return to the NFL for the 2007 season. And the CFL, which opens training camps next month, could provide an alternative, Rita said, to continue playing football at a high level, to stay in shape, earn some money and refocus on his personal and professional priorities.

Rita said that the Argos have not yet discussed the possibilities with agent Leigh Steinberg but did speak to one of his associates and definitely want to continue the dialogue. There are no CFL rules that preclude the Argonauts, now that they have secured Williams' negotiating rights, from signing him.