Miami Dolphins coach Nick Saban is offering his support to troubled running back Ricky Williams. In his first comments about Williams' latest failed drug test, Saban said Friday he wanted to help Williams stay clean, avoid any additional trouble and help the NFL keep drug tests confidential as required by league rules. "We want to support every player, and I think every player knows he has a responsibility for what to do and what not to do," Saban said. "As a coach, I also feel a responsibility to put a player in the best situation possible so he can have success."

The Dolphins expect Minnesota to release quarterback Daunte Culpepper before the Vikings are scheduled to pay him a $6 million roster bonus on March 17. Because of that belief, the Dolphins have resisted the offer to trade for Culpepper, who also is scheduled to make $2 million in base salary for the 2006 season. The Dolphins and Vikings recently discussed a trade for Culpepper. Although no exact compensation was discussed, the Vikings are asking for more than the second-round pick that was reported this month. Despite those discussions, the Dolphins are not interested in a trade at this point. They are examining a number of quarterback options. The Dolphins are expected to speak with the agents for San Diego quarterback Drew Brees if the Chargers and Brees are unable to work out a contract extension by the end of next week.

The Dolphins appear ready to part ways with future Hall of Fame linebacker Junior Seau and may do the same with quarterback Gus Frerotte if a restructured contract can't be agreed upon. That was the sentiment Tuesday from agent Marvin Demoff, who represents both. "We've had discussions with Gus, but not much has been resolved," Demoff said. "With Junior, there have been no discussions. We're assuming that each party believes they are better off separating from the other." Coach Nick Saban has said he will not comment on free-agent plans. But the Dolphins are expected to release players or try restructuring contracts to create room under the NFL's salary cap before the free-agent signing period starts March 3. Seau counts $2.92 million against the 2006 cap, while Frerotte stands at $4.68 million because of incentives he reached last season.

Although Miami Dolphins running back Ricky Williams has failed another drug test ? his fourth violation of the NFL's anti-drug policy ? the substance involved was not marijuana, sources said Monday. Marijuana triggered positive tests in 2002 and 2003. The third violation was for dropping out of the substance-abuse program by retiring in July 2004. Williams already has begun the appeal process regarding the latest positive test, a source said. The process is expected to take another four to six weeks. People close to Williams and others in the league would not say Monday what caused the latest violation, which could result in at least a one-year suspension. His agent, Leigh Steinberg, said Monday he is confident that his client no longer is using drugs. "Ricky has been in the best behavioral mode of his life," Steinberg said. "He didn't work this hard to get back only to let that happen." Williams returned to the Dolphins last season and was a success after sitting out a four-game league suspension. The appeal process begins with the NFL Players Association, which already has sent the case to the league for review.

The Vikings have held talks with the Miami Dolphins over the past week about a possible trade involving quarterback Daunte Culpepper. Two sources confirmed the talks, with one saying the Vikings have approached "a limited number of teams'' about Culpepper. No terms about a possible deal were available, but one source said the price for Culpepper would be more than a second-round pick. Culpepper and Vikings vice president of football operations Rob Brzezinski did not respond to a request for comment. The Dolphins are extremely interested in Culpepper among a short list of veterans they might take a look at. Among the others are Tennessee's Steve McNair and Washington backup Patrick Ramsey. Coach Nick Saban has said on at least two occasions this offseason that he wants to acquire a young quarterback for the team to develop, but with some of those options possibly limited, Saban could turn his attention to a veteran. Saban has become progressively concerned about filling the position. The Dolphins are interested in Vanderbilt quarterback Jay Cutler but think he might be drafted too high in the first round for them. The Dolphins have the No. 16 overall pick. Miami also is interested in Clemson's Charlie Whitehurst and Alabama's Brodie Croyle. But Whitehurst and Croyle are not considered as strong as Cutler. All of that has caused the Dolphins to take a further look at veterans such as Culpepper.

Miami Dolphins running back Ricky Williams apparently is in trouble with the NFL again. The Miami Herald reported on its web site Sunday night that Williams faces at least a one-year suspension from the NFL after testing positive for drug use a fourth time under the league's substance abuse policy. According to the report, two sources confirmed a report by WSVN-TV that Williams had failed the test, although neither would say the substance he used. Williams had tested positive in the past for marijuana use. After stunning the football world by announcing his retirement during training camp in July 2004, Williams returned to the NFL this past season and rushed for 743 yards and six touchdowns.

NFL folks at the Senior Bowl say coach Nick Saban was enamored with Jay Cutler and told a team official that Miami would be in great shape if it could acquire the Vanderbilt QB.

The Denver Broncos have had at least two internal discussions about acquiring Dolphins running back Ricky Williams, but the teams have not talked about a deal. The Denver Post, citing two NFL sources, reported this week that coach Mike Shanahan might consider trading for Williams but likely only if the team does not trade for receiver Terrell Owens. The Broncos have a desire to add playmakers at receiver and running back and this week hosted a meeting that included Owens, his South Florida agent, Drew Rosenhaus and Shanahan. The Broncos' preliminary interest in Williams stems from a desire to upgrade a position manned by Mike Anderson and Tatum Bell. Both had good seasons in 2005 -- Anderson gaining 1,014 yards and Bell 921 -- but neither possesses the combination of size and speed that Williams has and Denver wants. Dolphins coach Nick Saban on Wednesday declined to comment on a possible deal with the Broncos, but a source said no talks between the teams have taken place. Moreover, the Broncos have not talked to Williams' agent, Leigh Steinberg, according to another source. That Williams is available is without doubt, however.