Er no, not good news...
The article was moved rather than deleted, this time I have copied the text.
(from the Times Picayune, New Orleans):
Mueller still dissatisfied with Dolphins' proposal
Miami appears stronger suitor in Williams chase
03/06/02
By Jeff Duncan
Staff writer/The Times-Picayune
Miami has emerged as the favorite to land Ricky Williams, but the Dolphins might have to sweeten their deal to land the Saints' star running back.
No talks were held Tuesday between the Saints and the two main suitors for Williams -- the Dolphins and Cleveland Browns -- but that didn't mean there wasn't movement. Cleveland appeared to be retreating, while Miami appeared to be gaining momentum.
Whether the Dolphins have come far enough to close a deal remains to be seen.
"Unless we are going to get better, we're not going to do it," Saints general manager Randy Mueller said Tuesday. "I don't see a present deal really improving us."
An NFL source close to the negotiations said the Saints currently favor Miami's offer because the draft picks being offered are more desirable than the players being offered by the Browns.
However, the source said the Saints aren't ready to pull the trigger because they don't want to surrender their third-round pick in this year's draft and don't think Miami's low first-round pick and a fourth-rounder are enough to offset the salary cap hit the team will take.
If the deal is going to happen, it probably will be finalized Thursday when the sides talk in Coral Gables, Fla. Saints and Browns officials will be in south Florida to scout draft prospects at the University of Miami Pro Day.
Dolphins officials say their offer is final.
"I'm sure they're trying to get the best deal they can," Dolphins coach Dave Wannstedt said. "Deals like this are never done until they're done. A lot of things change."
Miami is working under the assumption that a deal will not be completed, Wannstedt said. If a trade for Williams fails, they plan to bring in free-agent running backs James Allen, Warrick Dunn and Garrison Hearst for visits. But it's clear that Williams, who rushed for a career-high 1,245 yards this season, is Miami's first option.
Cleveland, meanwhile, cooled on the deal one day after appearing to trump the Dolphins with an offer of its first-round pick (No. 16 or 17 overall). In fact, Browns president Carmen Policy denied that his club ever offered its top selection for Williams.
"I'm not saying they didn't have conversations (about the first-round pick), but it was never offered," Policy said. "I'm sure the idea of the first-round pick was mentioned, and probably demanded, but it was never offered."
Mueller declined comment on the Browns' offer.
Wannstedt said Browns coach Butch Davis told him Sunday at the National Football Scouting Combine that the Browns "are not interested" in Williams.
The Browns have offered their first-round pick in this year's draft and any two players from a selected group of players designated by the Browns, NFL sources said. In return, the Browns get Williams and the Saints' third-round pick (No. 78) this season. Cleveland's first-round selection is either the No. 16 or 17 overall pick, pending a coin flip with Atlanta.
The Dolphins have offered a first-round pick (No. 25 overall) and fourth-round pick (No. 125) in this year's draft and a conditional third-round pick in the 2003 draft that could escalate to a first-round pick if Williams meets performance thresholds. The Dolphins are also asking for the Saints' third-round pick.
If the Saints trade Williams, the club will absorb $2.8 million of his prorated signing bonus on this year's salary cap, giving him a cap figure of $4.3 million.
"We don't have anything done, but by the end of the week we will or Ricky will stay here and play for the Saints," Saints coach Jim Haslett said. "Ricky's a good football player, and we're not going to give away good football players. It's nothing against Ricky's abilities. We've got another first-round pick at running back, and we need help in other areas."
Well, if that's what it takes to seal the deal, I say drop the requirement for NO 3rd and sign on the dotted!:rocker:
