With either Ronnie Brown or Ricky Williams likely out the door, it’s no secret that the Miami Dolphins are targeting a running back. Enter DeAngelo Williams of the Carolina Panthers — an impending free agent who the Dolphins have already shown an interest in.
Apparently, the former All-Pro is equally as intrigued.
Per the South Florida Sun Sentinel, Williams, currently in Miami for a charity event, confirmed his interest in the ‘Fins, and would welcome a permanent move to South Beach.
“This is a place I’d like to live,” said Williams, who is in Miami for the Nautica South Beach Triathlon, raising money for charity by biking 19 miles on Sunday. “I hope I’m at the top of their list and they come after me.”
Asked for a determining factor in his decision making, Williams acknowledged that it’s all about the quarterback.
“It’s all going to boil down to quarterbacks,” Williams said. “In this league, the running game is all predicated on if you have a quarterback or not. If you don’t have a quarterback, teams stack the box and they force you to do what you do best.”
Oddly enough, both teams are shaky at best at the position.
The Dolphins seem like they’re willing to roll with the incumbent Chad Henne for another season. The Panthers hold the draft’s first overall pick, and signs point to them selecting Auburn’s Cam Newton, though that’s far from a sure thing.
With the league’s future up in the air, it’s unclear if Williams would even have a chance to pick his next team. As the article points out, Williams could be tendered by the Panthers under a new CBA if the free agent rules from last season carry over to 2011.
Carolina has three other backs — Jonathan Stewart, Mike Goodson, and Tyrell Sutton — under contract for this year, so they’re probably inclined to let Williams walk. In that case, Miami looks like Williams’ best bet, but there will be a lot of time to ponder other destinations for the soon-to-be 28-year-old as free agency remains on hiatus.
