--Ricky Williams revealed this week that Bears running back Cedric Benson had invited him to go on Benson's ill-fated boat trip down Lake Travis a few weeks ago. Williams, who has had his share of off-field issues but more with the NFL's substance-abuse policies than the police, said he might've been able to prevent the incident which resulted in his fellow Longhorn running back in getting charged with resisting arrest and boating while intoxicated.

"I think if I had come down, things might have worked out a little bit differently," Williams said in the Austin American-Statesman. "I find I have a calming influence on people I'm around. As a high-level athlete, it's just something that's ingrained in me. I always think that if I'm there, things would be different. I can't say how."

--DE Jason Taylor was given a taped pep talk by Dolphins Hall of Fame quarterback Dan Marino before his first dance in Monday's "Dancing with the Stars" semifinals.

"If you don't bring back the mirrorball (trophy, which goes to the champion), don't come home," Marino said. Neither Marino nor Taylor ever won a Super Bowl. Taylor sacked the competition and is now in next week's finals along with champion ice skater Kristi Yamaguchi and actor Cristian de la Fuente.

--Former Michigan offensive lineman Dan Dierdorf, a Hall of Famer, is confident that rookie Jake Long will do fine at left tackle despite the detractors who say he's better suited on the more run-oriented right side.

"I was very uncomfortable in a left-handed stance and to play left tackle from a right-handed stance really puts you at a disadvantage," Dierdorf said in an interview on WFTL-640 AM (South Florida). "You have to take an extra step to get back where you ought to be to assume the pass-protection position that cuts off the edge for an outside rusher. Jake is a natural left-handed guy and is very comfortable at it."

QUOTE TO NOTE
"I was just happy to get back to work, honestly. It's where I belong so I can't wait to get back out there now that you get a little taste of it. I am really excited to get out here with the veteran players and get a chance to really see what we have. I was comfortable out here doing what we did." --Coach Tony Sparano when asked if he felt like a rookie at minicamp.

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