LEAGUE SUSPENDS ONTERRIO

MINNEAPOLIS - The NFL has suspended former University of Oregon standout
Onterrio Smith for four games this season for violating the league's
substance abuse program, according to a report in the Minneapolis Star Tribune.

The Star Tribune, citing "three league sources with knowledge of the
situation" as its source, said Smith will be ineligible to play until the
Oct. 17 game at New Orleans, unless he wins an appeal of the suspension.

Smith also will forfeit four game checks, worth $71,764, the newspaper said.

Smith fell to the fourth round of the 2003 draft after being tabbed by many
as one of the top three running backs available in the draft.

The prep standout from Sacramento first went to the University of
Tennessee, but was dismissed after testing positive for marijuana use. He
transferred to Oregon, where he finished his college career.

The Vikings are barred from commenting on the suspension until the league
makes a formal announcement. The league confirms suspensions only after the
preseason is finished, the Star Tribune said.

Most players enter the substance abuse program after their first positive
test, but Smith automatically was subject to the program when he was
drafted "because of the circumstances surrounding his departure from
Tennessee," the newspaper said.

Dolphins ask Williams for $8.6 million payback

The Miami Dolphins have asked Ricky Williams to return $8.6 million they
say the running back owes the team because he has decided to retire.

The star running back shocked the Dolphins by announcing just before the
start of training camp that he was retiring at age 27 after five seasons in
the league, the last two with Miami.