Reactions mixed to Ricky positive test

'He doesn't care about football. He doesn't care about the Dolphins. For you to get upset at this point is stupid,' 790 The Ticket host Sid Rosenberg said to a fan.

By MANNY NAVARRO

mnavarro@MiamiHerald.com

Ricky Williams' career with the Dolphins appears to have ended Friday. And, it appears, so too has the desire from fans and radio hosts to see the 30-year-old former Pro Bowl running back play for the team anymore.

On sports radio call-in shows in South Florida, fans voiced their opinions about Williams and the news Friday he had tested positive for marijuana a fifth time, likely ending his tumultuous tenure with the team.

The feelings varied from anger to apathy to sympathy. But the general consensus was it is time for the Dolphins to move on.

''He doesn't care about football. He doesn't care about the Dolphins. For you to get upset at this point is stupid,'' 790 The Ticket host Sid Rosenberg told a caller Friday afternoon.

'I spoke for two hours about Ricky Williams and didn't get a single phone call. It's not a story for me. It's not surprising to me. Ricky Williams made it known a long time ago, football and the Dolphins were not important to him. It's almost like `OK, move on and let the Dolphins do what they have to do.' ''

Though a few fans expressed genuine surprise Williams tested positive, many sounded as though they've grown accustomed to being disappointed by Williams.

''I'm surprised, but I really shouldn't be,'' said Abel Rodriguez, 30, a former Dolphins season-ticket holder who was wearing a jersey of Dolphins running back Ronnie Brown while shopping in Hialeah's Westland Mall on Friday. ``He's just a moron. I quit caring about him the last time he messed up. I'm really done now.''

Rosenberg had several guests on his show Friday, including former NFL stars and University of Miami players Michael Irvin and Bernie Kosar. Irvin felt sorry for Williams.

''I think it's sad,'' he said. ``I heard it on the radio. I know Ricky wants to play football and it's a sad situation. I'm praying for him, and I hope it works out for him.''

Kosar said Williams has to have learned his lesson by now.

''There's a time and a place for things,'' Kosar said, ``and while you're under contract and under scrutiny, that's not the time.''

On The Jim Mandich show on WQAM, fill-in host Steve Goldstein spent most of the day talking about the NBA.

Most callers were not interested in Williams.

Goldstein said on the air: `Ricky Williams, Mr. Yoga, good riddance.''