Hawks look for experience in candidates for president

The Seattle Seahawks’ short list of presidential candidates includes longtime Miami Dolphins executive Bryan Wiedmeier, sources said Tuesday.

John Idzik of the Arizona Cardinals and Ron Hill of the Atlanta Falcons were also expected to meet with Seattle officials this week. Their status in the Seahawks’ search was unclear. The Seahawks have been without a president since owner Paul Allen fired Bob Whitsitt on Jan. 14.

“Having somebody with a deep football background in this position is going to be important going forward and the key aspect of our hiring process,” Allen said in announcing Whitsitt’s firing.

Judge upholds arbitrator in Williams case

An arbitration ruling that ordered Ricky Williams to repay the Miami Dolphins $8.6 million was upheld by a federal judge in Miami, who rejected arguments that the award disregarded Florida law and was excessive.

U.S. District Judge James Cohn ruled arbitrator Richard Bloch was “well within the scope of his authority” in his interpretation.

Bloch ruled in September that Williams breached his contract by abruptly retiring. Under the terms of that contract, the 2002 NFL rushing champion was required to repay the Dolphins $8.6 million in bonus money he had received, Bloch said.

Rolle arrested on a domestic violence charge

Tennessee Titans cornerback Samari Rolle was arrested in Brentwood, Tenn., on assault charges after a Monday altercation with his wife, authorities said. Police said Danisha Rolle, 27, was treated for a cut over her left eye and released from Baptist Hospital in Nashville.

New RCA Dome playing field planned for Colts

The worst playing surface in the NFL – as voted by the players – will be replaced by a synthetic turf in 2005.

The city’s Capital Improvement Board in Indianapolis, has approved $800,000 for a field for the Indianapolis Colts along with $900,000 for a hard cover to protect the turf when the RCA Dome hosts non-football events. The 8-year-old AstroTurf in the downtown stadium was voted the worst surface in the league.

Around the league

The Bengals used their franchise tag on running back Rudi Johnson, who set a Cincinnati rushing record last season . … The New Orleans Saints are expected to designate defensive end Darren Howard as their franchise player for the second straight season. … Akili Smith, the third overall pick in the 1999 draft, will try to get back in the NFL by playing in NFL Europe with the Frankfurt Galaxy this spring.