For a man who once craved marijuana, lived in tents and wandered remote outposts, Williams is something of a changed man, and embraces his new ''humdrum'' life.
''When you get older,'' he said, ``you appreciate humdrum. I will be 32 on Thursday. Life was almost more fun when it was in flux. But there's more stability now, and it's easier. There's always temptations, but they're fleeting thoughts. I have a better idea what I want to do with my life now. To me, that's a better life. I'm in a good place.''
Although Williams has changed his mind before, he said Tuesday he feels strongly he will play only two more seasons, then concentrate on finishing the 60 credits he needs for a premed degree, with an eye toward a second career in osteopathic medicine.
"I want to be one of the guys who can walk away from the game on my own terms," Williams said.
For now, he's juggling football and academics, taking two classes per semester at Nova Southeastern.
Williams, who still gets drug-tested three times a week, dreamed how his contract extension negotiations would go, and it happened just that way last September (he is signed through 2009). Last week, ''I dreamed I got cut,'' he said. ``It's insecurity about my age.''
