Ricky Williams is signed up for two more seasons in the NFL. The Miami Dolphins are hoping he plays out his contract this time.

The Dolphins signed Williams to a one-year contract extension through the 2009-10 season yesterday, putting their faith in the controversial running back even though he has bailed on them in the past.

Williams won the NFL's rushing title in 2002 before flunking the league's substance abuse test five times, announcing an early retirement and torpedoing the Dolphins as they've missed the playoffs a franchise-record six consecutive seasons. But his talent is why now four Miami coaching staffs have put their faith -- and the team's future -- on his legs. Williams has been perhaps the best player on the field during training camp, and the team has centered its offense around him in the preseason.

Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters' contract holdout might extend into the regular season. Peters stands to be fined more than $191,000 -- or one-seventeenth of his $3.25 million base salary this season -- for each week he misses.

John Lynch, a nine-time Pro Bowl safety signed by New England two weeks ago, was released.

Jon Jansen, the team's longest continuous serving veteran who has unquestionably owned the right tackle spot when healthy since 1999, was adjusting to an unexpected demotion. Days before his first regular-season game as a head coach, Jim Zorn announced that second-year player Stephon Heyer has Jansen's starting job.