Other NFL Capsules: Former NFL WR Hurd changes lawyers
DALLAS (AP) — Former NFL wide receiver Sam Hurd has hired new attorneys to defend him against accusations that he tried to establish a drug-dealing network.
Hurd, 26, said he would plead not guilty to charges that he tried to buy large quantities of cocaine and marijuana, according to a Monday court filing by his new attorneys, Michael McCrum of San Antonio and Jay Ethington of Dallas. Authorities say they caught Hurd telling an undercover agent that he and a co-conspirator already distributed cocaine throughout the Chicago area and needed more supply.
McCrum, a former federal prosecutor who was once nominated to become the U.S. attorney for Texas' western district, said he was "honored" to represent Hurd but it was too early to comment on the charges.
"I am looking forward to seeing what evidence the government may have," McCrum said Monday. "I believe there's much more to the story than what's being portrayed."
Hurd, a former Chicago Bears and Dallas Cowboys wide receiver, was arrested in December during an undercover sting. The Bears released him a few days after the arrest.
According to a criminal complaint filed in federal court, Hurd told an undercover agent that he was interested in buying five to 10 pounds of cocaine and 1,000 pounds of marijuana per week to distribute in the Chicago area. He allegedly said he and a co-conspirator already distribute about four kilograms of cocaine per week. A kilogram is about 2.2 pounds.
Hurd allegedly described himself as the person who handled "high-end deals."
Hurd was scheduled to appear in court Wednesday, but federal court records indicated that hearing was canceled. Kathy Colvin, a spokeswoman for the U.S. attorney's office in Dallas, declined to comment.
Ethington described his new client as in a "transition period" following his arrest. The attorneys would not say whether Hurd continues to live in the Chicago area or in San Antonio, where he played high school football and several family members still live.
The attorneys replace high-profile defense lawyers David Kenner and Brett Greenfield of Encino, Calif. Kenner did not return messages seeking comment.
Team Capsules
Ravens fine season again ends in disappointment
OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — For all they accomplished — an unprecedented perfect record at home, a division title and a berth in the AFC title game — the Baltimore Ravens nevertheless fell tantalizingly short of reaching their ultimate goal. Again.
A 23-20 loss to the New England Patriots on Sunday concluded Baltimore's fourth straight playoff run. On each occasion, the Ravens won at least once before losing. And every time, the end came in disheartening fashion.
This time, a dropped pass and a missed field goal in the final minute ended Baltimore's quest to reach the Super Bowl.
"Coming up short just gets kind of old," defensive tackle Haloti Ngata said Monday as the players said their goodbyes and stuffed their belongings into oversized trash bags.
Four years ago, the Ravens advanced to the AFC championship game before losing at Pittsburgh in a game decided in the closing minutes.
In the 2009 playoffs, Baltimore beat New England and then fell at Indianapolis. Last year, the Ravens' season ended with a 31-24 loss at Pittsburgh in a game they led 21-7 at halftime.
And now this: Baltimore (13-5) gave the Patriots all they could handle before Lee Evans lost his grip on a pass in the end zone and Billy Cundiff's 32-yard field goal try sailed wide left.
One tough loss is difficult to take. Four agonizing defeats, in successive seasons, are downright intolerable.
"This year especially," Ngata said. "I think we all believed we were going to win and get to the Super Bowl. This one kind of hurt a little bit more than in previous years, but you've just got to get back to work and try to get there again."
No other team in the NFL has been to the playoffs in each of the past four seasons. A few months from now, the Ravens will focus their energy on making another playoff run. Until that time, they'll have to live with the misery of watching another squad represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.
"If you get blown out, you just say you lost," cornerback Chris Carr said. "But when you feel like you lost to a team that's inferior to you, you're always going to be second-guessing, wishing you could have done this, looking at this play, looking at that play. It's extremely unsettling."
For the second time in two days, Cundiff stood before reporters and cameras Monday and explained what it felt like to miss a chip-shot field goal with so much on the line. He swallowed hard, instructed the throng to move back, then told everyone that he was ready to move forward.
"You face the music. You understand what goes on with the game and the position I play," Cundiff said. "Everyone's going to be there to pat you on the back when you make the kick. A lot of times I try to deflect the attention because it is a team win. And when things don't go the way you want them to, you've got to take a lot of the blame."
None of the Ravens blamed the loss entirely on Cundiff, who hopes to make amends in Baltimore next season.
"These situations, they don't define a person. It's the response that defines somebody," he said. "I can either go ahead and roll over, or I can pick myself up — knowing it's going to sting — get back to work and prepare for next year."
Ah, next year. Middle linebacker Ray Lewis promised he will return for a 17th season, but the roster will inevitably be altered from its current state.
"You know it's going to happen but you don't know which guys it's going to be," quarterback Joe Flacco said. "It's tough to be in our shoes and go through that. You hope they bring as many people back as they can."
As soon as he arrived home Sunday night, Flacco shaved off the Fu Manchu mustache he grew in the latter part of the season.
He played brilliantly in defeat at New England, which could help to blunt the criticism he received this season and perhaps get him a new contract before his current deal expires next year.
"The first four years I've played here we've gone to the playoffs every time, won a game," Flacco said. "I think the last two years I've played well in the playoffs. I think if you watch the film and you're a guy in this organization, you can say I've played well."
All the work the Ravens put in since the end of the lockout was directed toward getting to the Super Bowl. And now, they're going to have to do it all over again.
"It (stinks) because it starts over," linebacker Terrell Suggs said. "Back to the training and when are you coming in for workouts and stuff like that. And then eventually training camp is going to open again, and it just (stinks) because we've done so much. Just to fall short, it's bad."
Is it better to get to the playoffs and lose, or to never get there at all? Remember the Buffalo Bills, who lost four straight Super Bowls?
The Ravens do.
"The last couple years kind of felt like the Buffalo Bills, in a sense," Carr said. "Especially this year, I really felt like we had the talent to do it. But we just didn't do it."
-- David Ginsburg
Harbaugh's Niners go from 6-10 to cusp of Super Bowl
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Jim Harbaugh arrived as the new coach of the 49ers a year ago challenged with turning around San Francisco's once-proud franchise in the midst of a lockout and minus the usual offseason preparation time with his players.
He did it, and then some. And he did it his own blue-collar, rah-rah way.
Even Harbaugh acknowledged Monday it was no easy accomplishment. A day after his team lost the NFC championship game 20-17 in overtime to the New York Giants to miss a chance at the Super Bowl, Harbaugh regrouped and told his team how proud he is of this special season.
"Who's got it better than us? No-body!" became a mantra for the NFC West champions (14-4), who ended an eight-year stretch without a playoff berth or winning record and then became a surprise participant in the NFC title game after beating Drew Brees and the Saints in the divisional round.
"As Sir Andrew Barton said: 'Fight on my men, we're hurt but not slain. We'll lay down and bleed a while. Then we'll rise and fight again,'" Harbaugh said.
"I've said so often how proud I was of this team. I thought they played their hearts out. I thought we were a well-coached team. Be very proud of our guys. They stand toe-to-toe and fight every time they go out onto the field. It didn't have the ending that we wanted. The football gods had a different ending in mind for this ball game."
Harbaugh took a double hit after big brother, John, and the Baltimore Ravens lost Sunday's first game to New England. No "Superbaugh" this year.
"That was another painful thing," Harbaugh said.
As he looks back, Harbaugh can point to all the progress made with a roster featuring only a handful of new faces from the group that went 6-10 last season and saw coach Mike Singletary fired with one week left.
Harbaugh, the 15-year NFL quarterback, left Stanford for a chance to prove he could coach at the highest level. He made it clear he didn't care to make friends along the way, aside from in his own building.
After a win at previously unbeaten Detroit on Oct. 16, Harbaugh made headlines for his second-long handshake and backslap with Jim Schwartz that infuriated the Lions coach. Harbaugh's response in the aftermath when asked about reaching out to Schwartz: "Apologies seem like excuses."
And Harbaugh offered no excuses Monday after his Niners missed many opportunities to win. Kyle Williams lost his second fumble in overtime, setting up Lawrence Tynes' winning field goal.
"It's tough," said running back Frank Gore, who became the franchise rushing leader last month. "It's over. We've got to move on. I know we've got a great group of guys in here, guys who work hard, a coaching staff that works hard. We'll get back."
San Francisco fell short 30 years after the Niners' two-decade run began under the late Bill Walsh with the first of five Super Bowl championships. Harbaugh used some of the same methods as the Hall of Fame coach and his unique version of Walsh's West Coast offense.
"The main symmetry between the teams is sort of coincidental but not really — getting the coach from Stanford that we did back in '79 and the Niners did here this year has made just a huge difference in the culture and the winning attitude and the approach of this football team," former 49ers offensive lineman Randy Cross said .
"I guess it's simplistic to credit just one person — because it's never just one person. They were really looking for the individual who was going to kind of take that place by the scruff of the neck and drag it into this decade and form it in sort of his vision. They thought various people along the way were that guy but they found it in Jim."
San Francisco's defense ranked No. 1 against the run and allowed only three touchdowns rushing and all in the final two games — and the Niners had 38 takeaways to only 10 turnovers for a plus-28 turnover differential. That matched the second-best mark in NFL history since 1941.
"We let an opportunity get away from us, one of those chances that don't come around often," All-Pro linebacker Patrick Willis said. "It hadn't been around here for a while and we let it slip away from us. Only time will heal that. ... I don't believe in moral victories. There's a lot we can look back on and be thankful about, considering where we have been in the past; there's a lot of positives we can build on."
The 49ers plan to bring back quarterback Alex Smith, the 2005 No. 1 overall draft pick who orchestrated five comeback wins during the regular season — four of those on the road — and another in a thrilling 36-32 victory against the Saints. Smith threw just five interceptions and thrived under Harbaugh.
Neither Harbaugh nor Smith offered any kind of timeline for when something might get done in regards to a new contract, though Smith will be rewarded with a raise and multiyear deal. He made $4.9 million in base salary this season plus earned a $1 million bonus for reaching the playoffs.
Both sides are committed to getting something done — in time, after everybody decompresses a bit.
"Not in a crazy rush at this point. Take our time a little bit. I think I have until March 13, that's when the contract is up," Smith said. "I love it here. I love what's going on, I love this team the coaching staff, I love everything about it. No question I want to stay."
General manager Trent Baalke also faces key decisions with free agents such as cornerback Carlos Rogers, wideout and return man Ted Ginn Jr., linebacker Ahmad Brooks and safety Dashon Goldson. The team has expressed a commitment to re-signing injured wide receiver Joshua Morgan, who was lost for the season in early October to a broken right leg that required surgery.
"My preference is to be back," said Rogers, who had six interceptions in the regular season.
Notes: The 49ers handed out team awards: Len Eshmont Award for most inspirational player: DT Justin Smith. Bill Walsh Award for team MVP: DT Justin Smith. Bobb McKittrick Award for courageous offensive lineman: C Jonathan Goodwin. Hazeltine Iron Man Award as defensive most inspirational picked by coaches: DT Justin Smith. Thomas Herrion Memorial Award for first-year player: CB Cory Nelms. Ed Block Courage Award chosen by teammates: QB Alex Smith.
-- Janie McCauley
Akers: Stop hateful remarks aimed at Williams
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Kyle Williams is ignoring the barrage of hateful, hurtful, even threatening comments he has received via social media in the aftermath of his ill-timed fumble that cost the San Francisco 49ers the NFC championship game against New York.
Williams said Monday he takes full responsibility for his fumble on a punt return in overtime of a 20-17 loss to the Giants on Sunday night that set up Lawrence Tynes' winning field goal, calling the moment "painful."
"I really didn't pay attention to Twitter. All the feedback I needed was family and friends, the guys in the locker room," Williams said.
Instantly, Williams was made a villain on the Internet.
He insisted it's part of his job to face the criticism in the aftermath of his mistakes and not hide out in a difficult time. Perhaps that will go a little way in calming down the angry fans, some of whom wished harm on Williams and his family after the gaffes.
"It's one of those things you have to take accountability for," Williams said. "Everybody is responsible for what they do on the field. It's something that I was responsible for and I made a mistake and it's time to own up to it and move forward."
Kicker David Akers took to Twitter on Monday asking people to stop with the harsh remarks directed toward his teammate, saying "ppl need to get a grip! Leave Kyle alone!" He also reminded everybody the NFC West-champion 49ers (14-4) win and lose together, so there would be no finger-pointing in the locker room.
"I'm irritated with the way people are treating him, absolutely," Akers said. "I think it's ridiculous. You know, get a grip on what life's about. He went out and he put his soul out there. That's what he does. He was not trying to do anything other than make an incredible play for this team. He had a great kickoff return. Mistakes happen. We all make mistakes. But when you're out there truly battling to do the best you can, my hat goes off to him, to anybody that does that."
Many of the 49ers spent the time after the game and into Monday thinking about the missed chances, and not just by Williams.
"It doesn't surprise me," coach Jim Harbaugh said of players supporting Williams. "This is a class bunch of guys, a class group, a class team. They have never been a finger-pointing group."
Williams has spoken to his father, Chicago White Sox general manager Ken Williams, and also heard from players around the league who offered their support. Ken Williams told ESPN on Monday that his son might have separated his shoulder in the third quarter before making a pair of critical blunders.
Williams, filling in for injured return man Ted Ginn Jr., also fumbled with 11:06 left in regulation. The Giants won a challenge that the ball touched Williams' right knee and Devin Thomas recovered. That gave the Giants the ball back at the 29 and Eli Manning then threw a 17-yard touchdown pass to Mario Manningham with 8:34 remaining.
The 23-year-old Williams, born in nearby San Jose, said Monday he still doesn't think the ball hit his knee.
"I told him to keep his head up. Things happen like that when you're trying to make a play," running back Frank Gore said. "Kyle did a great job for us all year. We can't just point the finger at that. It's a football game. Things happen, and he'll be fine. He's going to work hard. He's a great player and he made great plays for us this year. I'm happy he's a teammate of mine. I'll back him up any time."
A year ago with the Eagles, Akers missed a pair of field goals in the NFC divisional playoffs as Philadelphia lost 21-16 to the eventual Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers.
"I was that guy last year," Akers said. "It's tough because we're all competitors and we all give it everything we have. Kyle's made a lot of big plays for us. He's just trying to make plays out there. The weather conditions were horrible. I know he'd never give any excuses for any of that. I say this and I say it in the truest way: We win as a team, we lose as a team."
Williams, a second-year pro out of Arizona State, stood at his locker a day later and expressed his regret while also noting how eager he is to get back to work soon. Harbaugh said tests Monday on Williams' shoulder didn't reveal a separation but that he was extremely sore.
"Nobody feels worse than he does," linebacker Patrick Willis said. "Some of the stuff out there that I've seen, man, I was just like, 'They're saying that because they're hurting.' But we live this game, we breathe this game, we sleep this game. If they feel that way, you can only imagine how bad he feels. You never want anyone to go through anything like that. It's just unfortunate that it happened to a player like him. To me, he's one of the best skill players in this game. ... I'm sticking behind him. He's still my teammate."
-- Janie McCauley
Dayton: Vikings stadium must be at Dome to pass
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton told Vikings owner Zygi Wilf on Monday that the team's new stadium will have to be at the Metrodome site if a stadium bill is to pass the Legislature this year, Dayton's spokeswoman said. The Vikings have said they prefer a Ramsey County proposal to build a $1.1 billion stadium in suburban Arden Hills.
Dayton spokeswoman Katharine Tinucci said it's not that the Democratic governor necessarily prefers the Metrodome site. But he believes that the stadium must be at that site if the bill is to pass during the legislative session that convenes Tuesday.
"I can't say this is the governor's favorite (site)," Tinucci told The Associated Press.
Vikings vice president Lester Bagley did not immediately return a phone message Monday night. The Vikings' lease at the Metrodome has expired, and team owners have said that 30-year-old facility is no longer profitable enough compared with other NFL facilities. Fans fear that no new stadium could drive the team to another city.
Along with the Arden Hills and current Metrodome locations, one possible Minneapolis site for the stadium is near the Basilica of St. Mary Catholic Church, not far from the Minnesota Twins' Target Field. However, the basilica's rector, the Rev. John Bauer, said last week that church leaders do not want the stadium so close to their building and that they are exploring legal options.
Dayton said last week another possible Minneapolis site, near the city's Farmer's Market, is no longer under active discussion.
Bears to interview Emery, Licht again
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — The Chicago Bears say they will bring back Kansas City college scouting director Phil Emery and New England pro personnel director Jason Licht for second interviews for their general manager job this week. The Bears are looking to replace the fired Jerry Angelo.
Emery has spent the past three years as Kansas City's director of college scouting. Licht rejoined the Patriots' personnel department in 2009, after working there from 1999 to 2002.
Bears player personnel director Tim Ruskell, San Diego director of player personnel Jimmy Raye and New York Giants director of college scouting Marc Ross have also interviewed.
Meanwhile, the Bears say offensive coordinator Mike Tice will not interview for Oakland's coaching job after the Raiders "moved forward with the second phase of their interview process."
League Capsules
Newton replaces Manning on NFC Pro Bowl squad
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Panthers quarterback Cam Newton is headed to Hawaii.
The Carolina signal caller, the No. 1 overall selection in the 2011 draft, was added to the NFC Pro Bowl squad Monday in place of New York's Eli Manning. Manning and the Giants beat the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC championship to advance to Super Bowl XLVI on Feb. 5 in Indianapolis, meaning Manning had to withdraw from the annual all-star game.
Newton completed 310 of 517 passes for 4,051 yards, the most by a rookie quarterback in NFL history. He also threw for 21 touchdowns with 17 interceptions to post an 84.5 quarterback rating.
Newton's 14 rushing touchdowns are the most ever by an NFL quarterback in a season. He became the first quarterback ever to throw for 4,000 yards and rush for 500 yards in a season. Newton was traveling Monday and unavailable for comment.
His agent James "Bus" Cook did not immediately return phone calls.
"It's obviously a tribute to him and says a lot about his work ethic and his approach to the game," Panthers general manager Marty Hurney said during a telephone interview from the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. But "it's not just one person, and Cam will certainly tell you that. A lot of people contributed to him reaching that goal. In this game, you are only as good as the people around you."
Newton will be the first Panthers quarterback to play in a Pro Bowl since Jake Delhomme in 2005, and only the fourth overall. Kerry Collins played in the game 1996 and Steve Beuerlein in 1999. Delhomme and Beuerlein were both voted in, while Collins played in the game as an alternate.
No Carolina quarterback has ever played in more than one Pro Bowl, but Newton certainly has that opportunity.
"It puts you on the map," Hurney said of Newton playing in the annual Pro Bowl. "It's a quarterback's league and he draws a lot of attention to the organization because he's in that elite status. That brings your organization a lot of positive attention. When you put up numbers like that you will attract attention."
Panthers backup quarterback Derek Anderson said he's "proud" of Newton.
"The way that he grew and handled himself this year and led our team..." Anderson said. "Reaching the Pro Bowl is a great accomplishment and it's something nobody can ever take away from you. I know that Cam, given all spring and summer, is going to take great strides next season and I'm very excited to see him grow and lead us."
Hurney said he's been impressed with Newton since the first day he saw him play at Auburn.
"The impact he has had on the organization and in the locker room, as well as the diversity he has brought to the offense has been enormous," Hurney said. "He's been a huge spark at the most important position in the game right now. We're thrilled to see him get chance."
Panthers coach Ron Rivera had pushed for Newton to be one of the three NFC quarterbacks selected to the Pro Bowl, but the rookie was beat out by Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers, New Orleans' Drew Brees and Manning. Newton was selected as the first alternate ahead of Atlanta's Matt Ryan, Detroit's Matthew Stafford and San Francisco's Alex Smith.
Still, Rivera felt Newton was deserving of the honor.
"He set a standard, a very high standard for any rookie quarterback coming in, and he wants to improve," Rivera said. "He's gotten better in so many different areas. His basic fundamentals just continue to get better and better. Mentally, he's getting the grasp of this offense. He's understanding defenses better and better. You're starting to see leadership come out of him. He's really taken his game to next level, and there's so much room for him to grow. He's got such a high ceiling."
Falcons safety William Moore said earlier this season that Newton is one of the most difficult quarterbacks to defend.
"He's like playing a D-lineman," Moore said. "It's like a D-end at quarterback. Then he's so fast. The last time we played, I got a chance to get him down. But he doesn't go down with one hand. You've got to gang tackle him. It's going to be important this week."
Newton said after the season that he thinks he'll be even better prepared for the 2012 season because he'll have a full offseason to prepare.
He didn't have that opportunity as a rookie because the NFL lockout wiped out most of the offseason.
"I can't even tell you how much it's going to help," Newton said after the Panthers finished the season 6-10. "This season took me by storm, but without any coaching staff leaving — fingers crossed — it's going to be the first time in a long time that I've had the same offensive philosophy for two years going forward. I look forward to it and look forward to doing my part to make this an elite team."
Panthers offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski remains in consideration for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coaching job.
-- Steve Reed
Giants-49ers NFC title game draws huge audience
NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Giants' overtime victory over the San Francisco 49ers was the third-most watched conference championship game in 30 years.
New York's 20-17 win for the NFC title Sunday on Fox had a 30.6 fast national rating and 44 share, Nielsen Media Research said Monday.
The rating was up 9 percent from the 28.1/50 for Green Bay's 21-14 win over Chicago in the early conference championship last year on Fox and an increase of 8 percent from the 28.3/43 for Pittsburgh's 24-19 victory over the New York Jets in the last game on CBS.
The game drew 57.6 million viewers, according to Fox, trailing only San Francisco's win over Dallas on Jan. 10, 1982, which featured Dwight Clark's famous leaping touchdown catch (68.7 million), and New Orleans' overtime victory over Minnesota on Jan. 24, 2010 (57.9 million).
Viewers peaked from 10-10:30 p.m. EST with a 36.9/52 and 69 million viewers.
New England's 23-20 win over Baltimore in the AFC title game drew a 27.4/48 fast national, the highest rating for an early AFC championship since the San Diego's 17-13 win over Pittsburgh drew a 28.3/58 on NBC in January 1995. The Patriots' win drew 48.7 million viewers.
The NFC playoffs averaged a 23.9/43 and 42.6 million viewers, the network's most watched playoffs and up 11 percent from last year.
The rating is the percentage of television households tuned to a program, and the share is the percentage among those households with televisions on at the time.
Bears DE Peppers going to Pro Bowl
LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP) — Chicago Bears defensive end Julius Peppers is going to the Pro Bowl. The Bears said Monday that Peppers had been added to the roster for Sunday's game in Hawaii, replacing Jason Pierre-Paul of the Super Bowl-bound New York Giants. It will be Peppers' seventh appearance in the all-star game.
Peppers had 27 tackles, 11 sacks, five tackles for losses, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries this season. The 10-year NFL veteran has reached double-digit sacks in seven seasons.
Five other Bears were named to the Pro Bowl: linebackers Lance Briggs and Brian Urlacher, running back Matt Forte and defensive backs Corey Graham and Charles Tillman.
Coaching
Rams hire Schottenheimer as offensive coordinator
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Jeff Fisher isn't wasting any time putting his staff together in St. Louis.
The new Rams coach formally announced Monday that Brian Schottenheimer was the team's new offensive coordinator and that Gregg Williams will run the defense.
Schottenheimer spent the past six seasons with the New York Jets, where he helped the team make consecutive trips to the AFC championship game. He was also a quarterbacks coach with the Chargers, and he will be charged with getting the most out of Sam Bradford in St. Louis.
"I am really excited to have Brian join our staff," Fisher said. "He is a well-respected coach in this league who has had success for many years at a high level as an offensive coordinator. We share the same philosophies on the offensive side of the ball and I think he is a tremendous addition to our staff."
Williams is a 22-year NFL coaching veteran who spent the last three seasons as defensive coordinator for the New Orleans Saints. A former head coach in Buffalo, he also spent six years coaching under Fisher with the Tennessee Titans.
"He brings an aggressive approach that I'm sure will benefit our defense and he has a wealth of knowledge that will aid our entire team," said Fisher, who was hired little more than a week ago.
The Rams haven't had a winning season since 2003, and they had the NFL's worst offense last season with Bradford nicked up and no true deep threats at receiver. Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels recently left to return to the Patriots.
Williams will replace Ken Flajole while fired Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo is taking over the Saints' defense. Spagnuolo was fired earlier this month after going 10-38 in three seasons with the Rams.
The Rams replaced him with Fisher, who sat out the 2011 season after 17 years in Tennessee. He and Schottenheimer will have a franchise-type player in Bradford, the No. 1 overall pick in 2010, and the No. 2 overall pick in this year's draft. They also have a favorable salary-cap situation.
Schottenheimer has been here before: The former University of Florida quarterback was an offensive assistant on Dick Vermeil's staff in St. Louis in 1997, and later worked for his father, Marty, in Washington and Kansas City.
Williams, who has deep ties to Missouri and played at Northeast Missouri State, has put together seven top 10 defenses in 15 years as a defensive coordinator or head coach (Tennessee, Buffalo, Washington and New Orleans).
Tice will not interview for Raiders job
ALAMEDA, Calif. (AP) — Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Mike Tice will not interview for the Oakland Raiders vacant head coaching job as originally planned.
Tice had been scheduled to meet with Oakland general manager Reggie McKenzie on Tuesday at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala. But the Bears said Monday that interview won't take place because the Raiders have moved onto the "second phase" of their interview process.
McKenzie has been searching for a replacement for Hue Jackson, who was fired Jan. 10 after going 8-8 in his only season on the job. McKenzie fired Jackson on his first day on the job, saying he wanted his own man as head coach.
The Raiders have been tightlipped about the search, but McKenzie told Comcast SportsNet Bay Area that a hiring could come this week. McKenzie is at the Senior Bowl scouting for the draft.
McKenzie has already interviewed Denver defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, Philadelphia offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg, former Miami interim coach Todd Bowles, New Orleans offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael Jr. and Green Bay linebackers coach Winston Moss for the job.
ESPN reported Monday that Allen would get a second interview, which is expected to be held this week at the Senior Bowl.
The Broncos finished 20th in the league in total defense this season and were 24th in the league in scoring defense at 24.4 points per game in his first year as coordinator in Denver.
Allen has been secondary coach the previous three seasons with the Broncos. He has also coached for the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints.
The Raiders are searching for their seventh coach since 2003. Oakland has not been to the playoffs or had a winning record since playing in the Super Bowl following the 2002 season under coach Bill Callahan.
-- Josh Dubow
Falcons make another change on coaching staff
FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons have made another change on their coaching staff, firing defensive backs assistant Alvin Reynolds.
The announcement Monday continues the shakeup that began after the Falcons were blown out by the New York Giants in the opening round of the playoffs.
Reynolds had been with the team since head coach Mike Smith was hired in 2008.
The Falcons lost Smith's top two assistants when offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey took the head coaching job at Jacksonville and defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder moved to the same post at Auburn. Dirk Koetter has taken over the offense, while Mike Nolan was hired to run the defense.
In addition to Reynolds, offensive line coach Paul Boudreau also was let go and quarterback coach Bob Bratkowski became Mularkey's offensive coordinator at Jacksonville.
Browns hire new secondary coach
CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Browns have hired Tim Hauck to coach their defensive backs. Hauck served as an assistant secondary coach for Tennessee in 2009 and 2010 under Jeff Fisher. Hauck's replacing Jerome Henderson, who left Cleveland earlier this month after three seasons to coach Dallas' defensive backs.
Hauck played 13 seasons in the NFL with New England, Green Bay, Denver, Seattle, Indianapolis, Philadelphia and San Francisco. Hauck was with the Packers when Browns president Mike Holmgren coached in Green Bay.
He takes over a unit that finished second in the league against the pass this season. Cleveland allowed just 184.9 yards per game, en route to finishing 4-12.
Hauck spent five seasons coaching at Montana, his alma mater, and UCLA before joining Fisher's staff. When Fisher was fired, Hauck was not retained by Mike Munchak.
Munchak hires Brown, Millard as assistant coaches
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee coach Mike Munchak has hired a couple new assistants, adding another former Houston Oilers' teammate and someone to focus on helping the Titans' defense rush the quarterback better.
Keith Millard fills a new spot on staff, a position Munchak said Monday he thought about adding a year ago. Millard, the 1989 Defensive Player of the Year, played eight seasons in the NFL and has coached the past nine. He was co-defensive line coach with Tampa Bay in 2011.
Steve Brown will be the assistant secondary coach. He spent the past nine years at the University of Kentucky with four as defensive coordinator, and he also spent six seasons coaching with the NFL's St. Louis Rams, including a Super Bowl win in 2000 over the Titans.
Redskins announce hiring of Morris as DBs coach
ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — The Washington Redskins have announced the hiring of Raheem Morris as a defensive backs coach.
The former Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach agreed to take the job two weeks ago. The Redskins confirmed the move Monday, when he joined coach Mike Shanahan's staff in Mobile, Ala., for this week's Senior Bowl. The 35-year-old Morris was fired by the Bucs this month. He had a 17-31 record over three seasons at Tampa Bay.
Morris' hiring is one of three coaching moves made by Shanahan thus far in the offseason. Safeties coach Steve Jackson and receivers coach Keenan McCardell were informed earlier this month that they will not return next season.
Hilliard joins Redskins staff as WR coach
ASHBURN, Va. (AP) — Ike Hilliard is the new receivers coach for the Washington Redskins.
The Redskins also announced Monday that Bob Slowik will move to linebackers coach after working with the secondary for the last two seasons.
Hilliard played 12 seasons in the NFL and spent this season as an assistant receivers coach for the Miami Dolphins. He replaces Keenan McCardell, who was dismissed earlier this month.
The changes are among several to coach Mike Shanahan's staff this offseason. Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach Raheem Morris was brought in to coach the defensive backs, safeties coach Steve Jackson was let go, and linebackers coach Lou Spanos left to become UCLA's defensive coordinator.
Elsewhere
Irwin, former voice of Packers, dies at 77
MILWAUKEE (AP) — Jim Irwin, the longtime former radio voice of the Green Bay Packers during a distinguished sports broadcasting career, has died after a battle with cancer. He was 77. His wife, Gloria, said Irwin died Sunday of metastatic cancer at their home in Southern California, where he was in hospice care.
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported Irwin worked as a color analyst for Packers games on WTMJ-AM from 1969 until 1975. He then worked as a play-by-play announcer until he and his longtime on-air partner, former Packers receiver Max McGee, retired at the end of the 1998 season. During his run, Irwin called 612 consecutive Packers games.
In addition, Irwin also called University of Wisconsin football games for 22 years, Milwaukee Bucks games for 16 years, University of Wisconsin basketball games for five years and UW-Milwaukee basketball games for two years. He also filled in for Bob Uecker on Milwaukee Brewers games.
Irwin was inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame in 2003 and was recognized as Wisconsin sports Announcer of the Year 10 times. He's in the Wisconsin Broadcasting Association Hall of Fame.
Irwin was born in Linn Creek, Mo. He served in the U.S. Army in Korea before majoring in speech at the University of Missouri. Irwin was diagnosed with cancer in 2010.
"He was just as positive as he could be the whole way through," his wife said. "It's a very mean disease."
Funeral arrangements are pending.
