Miami’s decision to exercise a one-year option on Williams’ contract earlier this week doesn’t guarantee the controversial running back a spot on the team’s 2008 roster. Rather, the Dolphins were following protocol to insure Williams couldn’t opt out of his current deal and become a free agent.

Williams’ fate will be decided later by Miami’s new brain trust: Parcells, new general manager Jeff Ireland and whomever the Dolphins hire to replace fired head coach Cam Cameron.

The Dolphins had until January to renew Williams’ contract for one more season at $730,000, which is the NFL-minimum base salary for a player with seven accredited seasons. Such a procedural move was a no-brainer. The Dolphins didn’t have to pay Williams any guaranteed money and he could have value as trade bait

or backing up starter Ronnie Brown, who will be coming off a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

“After the current administrative overhaul is complete, I hope to have a chance to visit with Bill Parcells regarding his feelings about Ricky,” agent Leigh Steinberg said.

The option is part of the eight-year rookie contract Williams signed in 1999 when represented by a firm headed by rap artist Master P (Percy Miller). Two years of that deal were tolled when Williams didn’t play in 2004 and 2006.

The clause wouldn’t be an issue had Steinberg finalized a lucrative extension he was negotiating for Williams during the 2004 off-season. Williams was coming off two standout seasons after being acquired by the Dolphins in a 2002 trade with New Orleans.

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