Gase happy to have Williams back in the fold
DAVIE — Dolphins running back Damien Williams went to the dark side earlier this offseason. Well, that’s what some Dolphins fans would say. Actually, Williams, who was a restricted free agent, merely took a visit to the New England Patriots.
And, yes, he met legendary Patriots coach Bill Belichick, or, as Williams called him, “Ace Boogie with the Hoodie.”
“Yeah, I met him,” Williams said. “He’s a cool dude. He’s how he is, he’s a cool person. He’s quiet, he’s very observant.”
Williams, the Dolphins’ third-down back and a core special teams player, returned to Miami after the Patriots opted to sign running back Mike Gillislee, the ex-Dolphin and University of Florida player.
Williams, one of the most upbeat and loudest players on the team, was productive last season. He totaled 35 carries for 115 yards and three touchdowns to go along with 23 receptions for 249 yards and three touchdowns. For his efforts, the Dolphins offered him $1.8 million for 2017. But Williams, who earned about $600,000 in 2016, reportedly wanted more money.
He said his visit to New England was business, not a personal statement on frustration with his salary or usage.
Whatever the case, Dolphins coach Adam Gase said he’s happy to have Williams back.
“He’s a guy that I really love being around,” Gase said. “When he’s in the building, when he’s on the practice field, he gives you everything he has, heart and soul.”
Injury update
Left tackle Laremy Tunsil (unknown ailment), center Mike Pouncey (hip) and defensive end Nick Williams (unknown ailment) did rehabilitation work on the side of the field at Thursday’s final practice of minicamp.
The Dolphins end their offseason program as healthy as they were when they started.
Same ’ol Pouncey
Pouncey, who didn’t practice during organized team activities or minicamp because of his hip injury, has nonetheless been around the team the entire offseason.
“He’s still a comedian,” center-guard Anthony Steen said. “He still comes to meetings and jokes around with everybody. He’s always here, trying to pay attention and watch film. Even though he’s not playing or practicing, he’s still in there watching film with us trying to stay on top of things.”
Steen said Pouncey, who hasn’t talked to the media during the offseason, seems to be fine physically.
“When he was on crutches, you could definitely tell he was struggling a little bit,” Steen said. “I think he was 75-80 percent for a while on the crutches. The past two weeks, he’s seemed fine to me, [or] threeweeks.”
Quotable
Defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, who is entering his eighth season, was asked whether he felt old hanging out with the rookies and younger players.
“Without question,” said Suh, 30. “Some of the music that they listen to is not necessarily [to] my liking, but I like being around the young guys.”
Voter drive
The Dolphins have registered 90 percent of their players to vote, according to Martin Luther King III and William Wachtel of the Drum Major Institute, a component of Dolphins owner Steve Ross’ RISE (Ross Initiative for Sports and Equality).
King and Wachtel have been at the team’s facility recently trying to get every player registered to vote.