Source: Williams' drug test dirty

Former NFL rushing champion Ricky Williams tested positive again for marijuana last month, which will delay his return to the league until at least September, a person familiar with the case said yesterday.

Williams sought to end a 1-year drug suspension last month when he asked to rejoin the Miami Dolphins. But following the positive drug test, clinicians in the NFL's substance abuse program advised commissioner Roger Goodell to delay reinstatement, the person close to the case said.

The person spoke on condition of anonymity because of the confidential nature of the testing program.

The Dolphins and the NFL declined comment.

Williams, who turns 30 on May 21, has played only 12 games since 2003. Before his latest setback, new Miami coach Cam Cameron repeatedly declined to say whether he would welcome Williams back.

Williams' latest positive test first was reported by ESPN.com. His agent, Leigh Steinberg, did not immediately return phone calls seeking comment.

The NFL suspended Williams in April 2006 after he violated the league's drug policy for the fourth time. That failed test apparently involved a substance other than marijuana and may have been related to his interest in holistic medicine.

Williams' previous positive drug tests were for marijuana, which he acknowledged using.

Last year Williams played in the Canadian Football League, then taught yoga in California. Steinberg recently quoted Williams as saying his interest in Eastern philosophy had overcome his desire for mind-altering substances.

* Titans cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones, in New York yesterday to meet with commissioner Roger Goodell to appeal his seasonlong suspension, was ticketed for speeding Monday, Nashville police said.

Jones was stopped at 12:45 a.m. Monday on Interstate 65 after an officer clocked him on radar at 79 mph in a 55-mph zone. Police said Jones also was cited for not having a driver's license with him.

* Falcons quarterback Michael Vick refused to discuss questions bout his ties to an alleged dog-fighting operation. Dogs were found at a home owned by Vick in Smithfield, Va., though he said previously that he rarely went to the house and didn't know that a large kennel on the property could be involved in a criminal activity.

The Daily Press of Newport News, Va., reported that Vick has sold the house.

* Former San Francisco 49ers receiver Antonio Bryant pleaded no contest to reckless driving and was sentenced to 1 year of probation for speeding on a California freeway at more than 100 mph in his orange Lamborghini, prosecutors said. *