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Report: Saban testifies on Williams' behalf
Dolphins coach Nick Saban testified on Ricky Williams' behalf during an appeal of a positive drug test that could cost the running back the entire 2006 season, according to a report in the Miami Herald.
A source told the Herald that Saban spoke for about 30 minutes over the telephone Monday. Dolphins spokesman Harvey Greene did not return a message from the Herald on Tuesday, but another attorney with experience in this type of case told the newspaper that it's normal for a coach to speak on a player's behalf.
"Obviously, you know what the coach wants, he wants the guy to play," the attorney, who asked not to be identified, told the Herald. "It's still important for the coach to speak because it gives you a sense of a guy's character and how he fits within the team and how he works."
Williams and his lawyer met Monday with NFL counsel Jeff Pash for seven hours, seeking to have the league overturn a positive drug test.
The NFL has no timetable to rule on the appeal, Williams' lawyer David Cornwell said Tuesday.
Cornwell said he and his client presented "compelling evidence" showing that disciplining Williams would "undermine the integrity" of the NFL's substance abuse policy.
The league, which doesn't acknowledge drug tests until there is a final determination, had no comment on the appeal.
If the positive test is upheld, it would be Williams' fourth violation of the substance abuse policy, meaning at least a one-year suspension.
According to ESPN.com's John Clayton, the Dolphins are hoping they can get an expedited ruling on Williams' case before the NFL draft on April 29-30. While appeal processes of this nature generally move slowly, the fact that this case has been made so public means that a ruling will likely come sometime in the next two weeks.
Previous positive tests were for marijuana, which Williams acknowledged using. But the latest test apparently involved a drug other than marijuana.
Williams retired and sat out the 2004 season. He owes the Dolphins $8.6 million for breaching his contract and, motivated at least partly by the need for a paycheck, he returned last year to play for Saban.
Before being allowed to return, Williams served a four-game suspension at the start of the season for his third violation of the drug program. He still ran for 743 yards last season and averaged 4.4 yards per carry while sharing playing time with rookie Ronnie Brown. Williams gained 280 yards in the final two games when Brown was hurt.
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