NEW ORLEANS -- The New Orleans Saints are talking seriously to the Cleveland Browns and the Miami Dolphins about trading star running back Ricky Williams.

"One way or another, we want to have something done this week if it's going to get done," New Orleans coach Jim Haslett said Tuesday.

Rick Spielman, the Miami personnel director, said Monday that the Dolphins had made an offer. On Tuesday, an NFL management source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Cleveland had renewed its offer to Saints general manager Randy Mueller for the 1998 Heisman Trophy winner.

The Saints, who used their No. 1 pick last season on running back Deuce McAllister, have been trying to trade Williams for months.

"Ricky met with Randy the week after the Super Bowl. Randy said he wasn't sure what would happen and that they were just looking at their options," said Leigh Steinberg, Williams' agent.

"We're just interested bystanders at this point. Of course, Ricky's position is he's happy in New Orleans. He'd be happy to stay, but if he's traded, he'd be happy to play for another team. ... Any of the team that have been mentioned as desirable places to play."

Former New Orleans coach Mike Ditka gave up all of the Saints' draft picks in 1999 to get Williams, who has irked the team by skipping offseason workouts and who was stopped last week by police for speeding at 126 mph.

Williams has rushed for 3,129 yards in his first three NFL seasons, although he has been bothered by injuries. In his rookie season, the former Texas star had 884 yards while playing on a sprained ankle. He broke an ankle after gaining exactly 1,000 yards in 10 games in 2000.

Last season, he ran for 1,245 yards.

But the Saints feel they can get considerable production from McAllister for less investment. And they also would like to get back some of the draft choices that Ditka surrendered for Williams.

Haslett acknowledged the Saints would like to play McAllister more.

"He only carried the ball 15 times all season," Haslett said. "You don't draft someone No. 1 and not play them."

The Dolphins, who ranked 23rd in rushing last season, had offered first- and third-round picks for Williams but want a second-rounder back to give them at least one choice in the first three rounds. New Orleans balked at that.

The source said the Browns would offer their first-round draft pick (No. 16 or 17 overall) for Williams. Miami's pick is considerably lower -- 26th overall.

Browns spokesman Todd Stewart said the team would not comment on trade talks.

A deal for Williams would bring the Browns full circle. He was available for the expansion Browns in the 1999 draft, but the team instead decided to use its No. 1 pick on quarterback Tim Couch.