MIAMI – Former Miami Dolphins running back Ricky Williams was ordered Friday to repay the team more than $8.6 million for breaching his contract when he suddenly quit before training camp.

Arbitrator Richard Bloch ruled Friday that Williams must repay $8,616,353 in bonus money under the contract he left behind when he shocked the Dolphins and their fans with his sudden retirement. The contract ran through 2007.

“We are pleased that Mr. Bloch has confirmed that Ricky Williams breached his contract with the Dolphins and is required to repay compensation,” NFL senior vice president/general counsel Dennis Curran said.

“This decision is consistent with many other cases that have affirmed the right of NFL clubs and players to negotiate compensation based on the player’s fulfillment of the contract,” Curran said.

The Dolphins declined comment Friday, saying they only talk about players on their roster.

Williams’ agent, Leigh Steinberg, was out of the country, his office said. He didn’t immediately return a phone message left Friday.

The Dolphins had filed a grievance against Williams, asking an arbitrator to uphold their contractual right to recover the money paid to him between the signing bonus and incentives. Before the grievance, the Dolphins mailed a letter to Williams asking him to report or pay the money back.

Williams also called the team, telling them he would come back if he received a new contract. The Dolphins declined that request.

Williams has given many reasons why he called Dolphins coach Dave Wannstedt days before workouts were to begin in July to tell him he was quitting. At different times, Williams has expressed displeasure with his contract, an excessive workload and new offensive coordinator Chris Foerster.

It was not immediately known what would happen if Williams declared bankruptcy or decided to return to the team.

But even if the 27-year-old Williams wanted to return, he faces a suspension for the entire 2004 season for violating the NFL drug policy. He has acknowledged testing positive for ma

Dolphins-Steelers still set for Sunday

DAVIE, Fla. – The Miami Dolphins plan to play the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday despite the threat of Hurricane Jeanne.

The hurricane is expected to hit Florida’s east coast this weekend, most likely Sunday morning. While a landfall near Miami isn’t out of the question, the National Hurricane Center’s projected path has the storm most likely striking more than 100 miles north of Pro Player Stadium. Still, the Miami area could be hit with strong wind and rain.

A decision on whether to play Sunday could come as late as Saturday. The Steelers were flying to Miami on Friday, one day early, to beat the storm.

Coach Dave Wannstedt ruled out the possibility of playing Saturday, but said the hurricane could force a postponement until Monday or Tuesday.

Brown anxious to face old team for first time

TAMPA, Fla. – Mr. Raider is eager to hear cheers from the Black Hole one more time.

Tim Brown returns to Oakland this weekend as a member of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, although he hopes fans won’t greet him like a player on the opposing team.

He spent 16 seasons with the Raiders before being released in August and cares about the reaction he’ll get when he runs onto the field Sunday night.

“It’s easy to say you don’t, but when it is all said and done, those are going to be the memories I am going to take with me,” Brown said.

Patriots first team with Chinese Web page

BOSTON – The New England Patriots’ have become the first NFL team to launch an official Chinese language Web page, The launch of the Patriots’ site comes at a time when the NFL is aggressively marketing itself to the world’s most populous nation.

The league launched NFLchina.com last year and broadcast last season’s Super Bowl between the Patriots and Carolina Panthers there for the first time. It also recently reached an agreement with a Shanghai television company to broadcast an NFL game of the week.

The league wants to play a preseason game in China in either 2006 or 2007, said Pete Abitante, the NFL’s senior director of international public affairs.

Urlacher questionable for tilt with Vikings

LAKE FOREST, Ill. – Chicago Bears middle linebacker Brian Urlacher was listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Vikings in Minnesota, after being held out of Friday’s practice because he aggravated the right hamstring he pulled in training camp.

“When you’re dealing with those hamstrings, you never know for sure exactly how it will be,” Bears coach Lovie Smith said.

Smith said Urlacher has a “50-50” chance of playing Sunday.

If Urlacher can’t start, he will be replaced by Hunter Hillenmeyer, who has appeared in 15 games on special teams for the Bears since being signed off waivers last September.

Urlacher has never missed an NFL game and has started 64 straight regular season games since becoming starting middle linebacker in the third week of the 2000 season.

The original hamstring injury occurred July 28 in Bourbonnais on the first day of practice this year. Urlacher missed every preseason game, but played in the Bears’ season-opening 20-14 loss to Detroit and last week’s 21-10 win over Green Bay.

Bears starting safety Mike Brown is out the rest of the season (Achilles), cornerback Charles Tillman (knee) is out seven to 10 weeks and defensive tackle Alfonso Boone is gone for four to five weeks (knee).

Defensive tackle Tank Johnson, who has a strained groin muscle, practiced Friday and is expected to play. However, he remained questionable on the injury list.

AP-ES-09-24-04 1854EDT