Miami shows faith in Williams

The Miami Dolphins on Sunday signed Ricky Williams to a one-year contract extension through the 2009-10 season.

Williams, who won the 2002 rushing title, has gone in and out of NFL retirement and has flunked the league’s substance-abuse test five times.

Dolphins General Manager Jeff Ireland said the team extended the 31-year-old’s contract so he wouldn’t become a free agent after this season.

“I wasn’t here in the past so I don’t really know if he had a lack of dedication in the past,” Ireland said. “When we sat down coming here, we said, ‘We’re going to give this guy every benefit of the doubt. And he’s got to show us that he is dedicated.’ And he’s done everything that we’ve asked him to do. And we feel very good about our decision to extend him.”

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The New York Giants shored up their defensive end position by signing former Philadelphia Eagles first-round pick Jerome McDougle after losing seven-time all-pro Michael Strahan to retirement in June and two-time all-pro Osi Umenyiora to a season-ending knee injury a little more than a week ago.

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John Lynch, the nine-time Pro Bowl safety signed by New England two weeks ago, was released. Patriots Coach Bill Belichick praised Lynch, who turns 37 on Sept. 25, and said, “As has been the case in other situations, I would not rule anything out down the road.”

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Jon Jansen, the player nicknamed Rock, the Washington Redskins’ longest continuous serving veteran who has owned the right tackle spot when healthy since 1999, has been demoted to backup at left guard behind second-year player Stephon Heyer.

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The Detroit Lions have signed linebacker Ryan Nece, claimed rookie running back Marcus Thomas and added eight players to the practice squad, including former Dallas quarterback Drew Henson. . . . Receivers Danny Amendola and Mike Jefferson were signed to the Dallas practice squad, and there is a chance that one or both of them will play in the season opener. . . . The San Francisco 49ers claimed linebacker Ahmad Brooks, who will probably back up linebacker Patrick Willis, off waivers from Cincinnati, waiving linebacker Dontarrious Thomas to make room on their 53-man roster. . . . The Bengals released 11th-year defensive tackle Michael Myers, picked up guard Frank Davis and defensive tackle Orien Harris on waivers and placed center Dan Santucci on injured reserve. . . . Oakland Coach Lane Kiffin says the Raiders are looking for a backup fullback and planning a few more cuts. Cornerback DeAngelo Hall missed practice because of his father’s death.