Ricky Forgets Playbook in Hotel Room

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Miami Herald
Posted on Mon, Aug. 22, 2005

DOLPHINS NOTEBOOK
Ricky leaves playbook

BY ARMANDO SALGUERO

asalguero@herald.com


Dolphins running back Ricky Williams caused something of stir over the weekend when he left what is believed to be part of his playbook in his room at the team hotel Saturday afternoon in Pittsburgh.

Williams apparently realized he didn't have the material that contains team information and plays after checking out of the Marriott City Center where the club stayed overnight Friday. The club dispatched two officers from the Allegheny County Sheriff's Department to help retrieve the book that was found by the housekeeping department.

''We really don't have a playbook, but we do have a little preparation plan for these games that we give,'' Dolphins coach Nick Saban said. ``So if he left anything at the hotel, that would be the only thing he could have left. But I don't know if it did or didn't happen.''

Sheriff's department public information officer Sgt. Pat Hirsh was unavailable to comment Sunday afternoon, but a department source confirmed that the booklet was retrieved by some off-duty deputies who escorted the Dolphins to the game.

The booklet had Williams' name and number on it, the police source said. A supervisor at the Marriott City Center, who would not divulge her name, also confirmed the incident.

Losing one's playbook is a fineable offense for the Dolphins and around the NFL. Under the collective bargaining agreement, teams can fine players no more than $5,000 for such an offense.

But it is unclear if Williams will be fined.

''I'm the one that decides who gets fined for what,'' Saban said. ``But I'm not big on fining players for things because I want them to do what's right . . . I think the most important thing is if a player is responsible for his stuff, not whether he gets fined or not.''

Williams was unavailable for comment as Miami players were off Sunday.

Despite the transgression, Williams started Saturday evening's game against the Steelers -- his first start of the preseason. He gained 9 yards on five carries, but remains Miami's leading rusher this preseason with 56 yards on 16 carries.

BETTER PREPARED

The Dolphins will prepare a more detailed plan for winning Saturday night's preseason home opener against Tampa Bay.

''We'll put more preparation for this particular team,'' Saban said. ``I don't know how that will affect our ability to perform in the game. It will be interesting to see how we respond and play.''

Although plans have not been cemented, Saban has said he would likely let some starters play into the third quarter this game.

NEWSON INJURED

Receiver Kendall Newson will undergo surgery on his right knee, which he injured in the second half of Saturday's game. He seems headed for the injured reserve list.

Saban confirmed the need for surgery but did not give a timetable for it and did not specify what is wrong with Newson. Doctors are apparently waiting for swelling to subside in the knee before repairing what is believed to be ligament damage.

The loss of Newson means the Dolphins must work to find a backup to Wes Welker as a punt returner.
 
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