DETROIT – Barry Sanders, who unexpectedly left football five years ago, said even he was surprised to learn Miami’s Ricky Williams had done the same thing.

“I’m as surprised as anyone,” Sanders said Tuesday in an interview with The Associated Press. “Even for me, it seems very strange.”

Williams, 27, decided to retire at the peak of his career, stunning the Dolphins and leaving an enormous void in their backfield less than a week before the start of training camp. Williams, who rushed for 3,225 yards in two seasons with the Dolphins, phoned from Hawaii to inform coach Dave Wannstedt of his decision, then continued his travels by flying to Tokyo.

“He’s pretty young, but he always seemed like football wasn’t the most important thing in his life,” said Sanders, who was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in January. “He didn’t seem as excited about it as everyone else. I know in Miami, from friends I talk to, they saw him as a savior in Miami. Maybe he didn’t see himself that way.”

Like Williams, Sanders quit on the eve of training camp – in his case at age 31 before the 1999 season with Detroit. At the time he was within 1,457 yards of Walter Payton’s career rushing record.

Williams could be forced to give back the Miami Dolphins more than $8 million already paid to him because he retired before the expiration of his contract.

Because of penalty clauses included when Williams’ contract was reworked two years ago, the team could try to recoup $5.3 million in incentive money, said sources familiar with the terms who requested anonymity. The Dolphins also could seek $3.3 million of the $8.8 million signing bonus Williams received when he joined the New Orleans Saints in 1999, the sources said.

The Dolphins said they’ve made no decision about whether to pursue the matter. Williams’ contract expires in 2006.

Raiders cut Woodson after failed physical

ALAMEDA, Calif. – The Oakland Raiders released safety Rod Woodson on Tuesday after the 11-time Pro Bowler failed a physical.

The 39-year-old Woodson had a chronic left knee injury last season and had surgery in December. He was placed on injured reserve Nov. 26.

•The Dallas Cowboys waived Chad Hutchinson, ending their attempt to turn the former major league pitcher into a starting quarterback.

Redskins ink first-round draft pick Taylor

ASHBURN, Va. – Sean Taylor signed a seven-year, $18 million contract from the Washington Redskins.

•Jonathan Vilma signed a five-year deal worth about $10 million with the New York Jets.

•First-round pick Shawn Andrews agreed to a six-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Packers vice president Hatley dead at 54

Mark Hatley, the Green Bay Packers’ vice president of football operations, has died at age 54. Hatley’s agent, Bob LaMonte, said he received a call from coach and general manager Mike Sherman on Tuesday morning informing him of Hatley’s death overnight.

Hatley was second in command behind Sherman on personnel matters in Green Bay, where he was responsible for overseeing the team’s scouting efforts.

The cause of his death wasn’t known, and the Brown County medical examiner didn’t immediately return a call from The Associated Press.

Sherman wasn’t immediately available for comment, and team president Bob Harlan also didn’t return a phone call to the AP.

LaMonte said in a phone interview from his home in Half Moon Bay, Calif., he had just seen Hatley on Monday when he was in Green Bay to meet with Sherman.

“He was going golfing. He was fine,” LaMonte said of Hatley.

Hatley joined the Packers in May 2001 after a four-year stint in Chicago, where he drafted back-to-back rookies of the year in Brian Urlacher and Anthony Thomas in 2000 and 01. Sherman wanted an experienced front office hand to stay on top of college scouting matters and free agency while he was occupied with running the Packers.

Hatley was known as a tireless worker who spent countless hours in the film room scouting college talent.

He began his career in personnel in 1992 as pro personnel director for the Kansas City Chiefs and was hired by the Bears in 1997.

A native of Borger, Texas, Hatley played linebacker at Oklahoma State, leading the Cowboys in tackles in 1971 before beginning his coaching career at OSU from 1973-75. He also worked at Tulsa, Texas Christian and Baylor before joining the New Orleans Saints’ coaching staff in 1984.

He joined the Chiefs as linebackers coach in 1987.

“Mark was a consummate professional,” LaMonte said. “Everywhere he went he had great success. He’s been terrific at his job and was just a fantastic individual. You’ll never meet a better guy.”

Hatley is survived by his wife, Claudia; daughter, Eliza; and two grandsons. Tuesday was his 30th wedding anniversary.

AP-ES-07-27-04 1701EDT