|
DAVIE, Fla. >> By this weekend, the Miami Dolphins could have Ricky Williams at running back and a Pro Bowl center to block for him. The prospect is enough to make a player personnel director's knees buckle with anticipation. Kreutz weighing options
Star-Bulletin wire services
"I can barely stand up right now," Miami's Rick Spielman joked yesterday.
The Dolphins and Cleveland Browns both want to acquire Williams from the New Orleans Saints. Miami has offered three draft picks for Williams, including at least one first-round choice, and trade talks are expected to continue today.
Miami was also awaiting a decision by free-agent center Olin Kreutz, who concluded a two-day visit yesterday. Kreutz, 24, said he'll either accept a free-agent offer from Miami or re-sign with the Chicago Bears.
"It's right in the middle -- Miami and Chicago," the former St. Louis School and Washington standout said. "I'm going to figure it out real soon. My timetable is the next couple of days."
To New Orleans, the Dolphins are offering first- and fourth-round picks this year, and a conditional third-round choice in 2003 that could become a first-rounder. In exchange Miami would get Williams and the Saints' third-round pick this year.
"We've got our best offer on the table, and we believe it's better than Cleveland's deal," Spielman said. "We're giving them the opportunity to get two No. 1 picks."
Spielman said Miami's offers to the Saints and to Kreutz are final. The Dolphins are prepared to make Kreutz the highest-paid center in the league with a deal that would top the six-year, $24.75 million contract Pittsburgh's Jeff Hartings signed a year ago.
"Obviously it's not all about money," Kreutz said. "But it's a big part of it."
If Kreutz signs with Miami, incumbent Tim Ruddy will move to guard or be released.
Kreutz went to dinner Tuesday with Spielman, coach Dave Wannstedt, offensive line coach Tony Wise and linemen Mark Dixon and Brent Smith. Yesterday, Kreutz had lunch with quarterback Jay Fiedler, who picked up the tab. That's how badly the Dolphins want Kreutz.
Kreutz told reporters he likes the South Florida weather because it reminds him of his native Hawaii. He also likes the Dolphins.
"If they get Ricky Williams, I don't know what else they would need," he said.
"Olin Kreutz," Spielman shouted with a grin from the back of the room.
Wannstedt gave Kreutz high praise in reports by the Chicago Sun-Times and the Chicago Tribune.
Wannstedt was the Bears' head coach when they drafted Kreutz out of Washington in 1998.
"We're bringing in, in our opinion, if not the best, then one of the best centers in football," Wannstedt said in the Sun-Times.
"He's a tough guy ... and a blue-chip center," he told the Tribune. "In most cases, players like this don't get on the market."