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MIAMI (AP) -- Ricky Williams has decided to retire at the peak of his career, stunning the Miami Dolphins and leaving them with an enormous void in their backfield one week before the start of training camp.... His retirement after just five NFL seasons caught the Dolphins by surprise. The news was first reported Sunday by The Miami Herald..... Miami opens camp Friday....

Williams played three season for New Orleans but didn't blossom until he was dealt in 2002 for two first-round draft picks to the Dolphins. It was the team's biggest trade since 1970, and at times it looked like a steal. Williams led the NFL in 2002 with 1,853 yards rushing and broke nine team records. Last season he ran for 1,372 yards despite little offensive support.

The decision by Williams, who was to make about $3.5 million this season, is the latest setback in an abysmal offseason for the Dolphins. It started with a strange organizational reshuffling that included the hiring of former quarterback Dan Marino as vice president. He resigned 22 days later. The Dolphins promoted running backs coach Joel Collier to offensive coordinator, but he later returned to his old job, citing health reasons. Tight end Randy McMichael was arrested following a domestic dispute, and Pro Bowl linebacker Zach Thomas underwent knee surgery that will force him to miss part of the exhibition season.

And now, due to the timing of Williams' retirement, the Dolphins head into training camp with few options for filling the position. Eddie George, who might have been a possibility, signed with the Dallas Cowboys this week.

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Williams has also admitted to taking a drug-masking agent, designed to allow him to pass the NFL's drug-testing rules. He alleges that NFL players use the agent "by the gallon."

Williams recently tested positive for marijuana use, and circumstantial evidence suggests that drug use may have been a motivating factor in the decision. In talking to the Herald, Williams acknowledges prior marijuana use and infers that he will continue to use marijuana now that he is out of the NFL.

He spent part of the offseason with rock star Lenny Kravitz, an admitted marijuana user and legalization advocate. He also spent time with Snoop Dogg, a rap star who has often appeared on camera with marijuana. While in Jamaica, he spent time with Bob Marley's kids and said, ''The people in Jamaica, living in these little tin shacks, they were the happiest people I've ever seen.''

Meanwhile, the rules setup by the NFL have grated on Williams. "Human beings aren't supposed to be controlled and told what to do. They're supposed to be given direction and a path. Don't tell me what I can and can't do. Please."

Many will draw the conclusion that Williams left the NFL to afford himself the luxury of smoking pot without fear of ramifications.

Demon wrote:

~I used to play pro football, but then I got high...~

edh wrote:

You know whats worse for the Dophins than that? They still have Dave Wannstedt

creed wrote:

The pharse that best describes this indivigual is "self centered asshole?" or jsut "Grand Fucktard" I cant decide

SK12879 wrote:

creed wrote:

The pharse that best describes this indivigual is "self centered asshole?" or jsut "Grand Fucktard" I cant decide

Perhaps you should actually read something about the guy before making such grand statements.

http://www.sportsline.com/nfl/story/7523738

He has social anxiety disorder and doesn't really appreciate the limelight. And the marijuana thing is the press blowing something up that wasn't said or implied.