The 49ers likely are off the list of possible suitors for Dolphins running back Ricky Williams. San Francisco coach Mike Nolan, head coach for the South team at the Senior Bowl, said Thursday he didn't think his team would be particularly interested. ''Look, if the price is right, I'd have to say that I'm interested in everybody,'' Nolan said. ``But we're pretty strong at running back.'' The 49ers have Kevan Barlow and former University of Miami standout Frank Gore as their top two running backs.

The Miami Dolphins are expected to name former Houston Texans head coach Dom Capers as their new defensive coordinator, ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported. Richard Smith and Will Muschamp essentially served as the unit's co-coordinators in 2005. Smith had the title of defensive coordinator, while Muschamp's title Assistant Head Coach/Defense. Recently dismissed as the Texans' head coach, Capers posted an 18-46 record in four seasons (2002-05), including a league-worst 2-14 mark this year. He was 31-35 in four seasons (1995-98) with the Carolina Panthers, and Capers was the first head coach in the history of both teams.

Former Buffalo Bills coach Mike Mularkey has been offered the job as offensive coordinator of the Miami Dolphins, a person close to the discussions said Saturday. Mularkey met with Dolphins coach Nick Saban, then flew home to Buffalo on Saturday to decide whether to accept the job, said the person, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team has not confirmed the offer. Scott Linehan, Saban's offensive coordinator last season, departed Thursday to become coach of the St. Louis Rams.

Speaking about Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Terrell Owens on Tuesday, Dolphins coach Nick Saban left the door open about his interest in acquiring the controversial wide receiver during the off-season. "I think we're interested in anybody who would make our team better," Saban said on ESPN Radio's The Dan Patrick Show. "Guys who have been proven playmakers in this league are all people we would be interested in." Saban said he didn't know whether he was willing to make Owens his next reclamation project ? like he did with running back Ricky Williams and wide receiver David Boston ? but Saban noted it might be worth the research to find out. "(That) can only be brought about by a lot of conversation and getting to know someone," Saban said. "I don't know this particular player well enough to make that determination right now, but it's something we might be interested in in the future." This marked the first time Saban spoke directly about Owens, since league rules prohibited Saban from commenting about acquiring another team's property. That changed when agent Drew Rosenhaus was granted permission by the Eagles to seek a trade for the wide receiver. Rosenhaus refused comment about the possibility of Owens joining the Dolphins.