During an interview on Monday, running back Ricky Williams discussed his decision to sign with the Baltimore Ravens. He also talked about entertaining the thought of playing in Detroit and said he spoke to Lions offensive coordinator Scott Linehan before ultimately signing with Baltimore.
Williams also mentioned that he spoke to Linehan after last year's Lions-Dolphins game. The issue for the Lions is that Williams said this:
"For me, last year when we played the Lions, Scott Linehan, who was the offensive coordinator here with coach [Nick] Saban, he came up to me after the game, and he said that if you need a home, we'd love to have you on our team."
Even though it was near the end of the season, a comment like that could be considered tampering by the NFL, which already found the Lions guilty of tampering with the Chiefs over a seemingly innocent comment. To avoid another tampering charge, Linehan said today that his recollection of the conversation differs from what Williams said.
"I have great regard for Ricky as a person and a player, but my recollection of our exchange is not what was reported. Like most coaches do after games, I briefly talked to one of my former players and wished him well. It was no different than what goes on after every NFL game between coaches and their former players.''
Even if Linehan did say that Williams was welcome to join the Lions if he needed a home, he is absolutely right in that stuff like this goes on after every game. It wasn't meant to be something that tampers with the Dolphins, but rather it was just a friendly comment between a player and his former coach. Obviously the NFL might view it differently, but it would be pretty ridiculous if the league takes issue with what Williams said and hits Detroit with another tampering charge.