Published: Wednesday, November 25, 2009
NFL NOTEBOOK
Bills contact Shanahan
BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bills consider two-time Super Bowl-winner Mike Shanahan a legitimate candidate to be their next head coach. A person familiar with the Bills’ search told The Associated Press that the team has contacted the former Denver Broncos’ coach. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the Bills are not discussing the search. Shanahan has been out of football since the Broncos fired him at the end of last season. A message left at his Denver office was not returned. He was 146-91 in 14 seasons in Denver, including the playoffs. But the Broncos struggled in his final three seasons, going 24-24, including an 8-8 finish last year in which they missed the playoffs after losing their final three games. Shanahan was fired with the Broncos owing him about $20 million over the final three years of his contract. The Bills would have to at least match what Shanahan’s owed if they intend to make a competitive offer.
Leftwich placed on IR
TAMPA, Fla. — Byron Leftwich’s season is over after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers put the backup quarterback on injured reserve with a sore right elbow. Leftwich opened the season as the starting quarterback, but was replaced by Josh Johnson after three games. Rookie Josh Freeman has since become the starter, and Leftwich had been listed as third on the depth chart. Tampa Bay also announced on Tuesday that it had signed quarterback Rudy Carpenter from the Dallas Cowboys practice squad. The Bucs also released reserve cornerback Mike Mickens. The team filled his roster spot by signing receiver Terrence Nunn from New England’s practice squad.
Winston gerts extension
PHILADELPHIA — Right tackle Winston Justice has signed a four-year contract extension with the Philadelphia Eagles. The team announced the deal on Tuesday. Justice could have become an unrestricted free agent after this season. A second-round pick in 2006, Justice has started every game this season after starting only one in his first three years in the NFL. He replaced Shawn Andrews, who didn’t take a snap and was placed on injured reserve with a season-ending back injury.
Bucs demote coach
TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa Bay coach Raheem Morris will call defensive plays for the Buccaneers after demoting defensive coordinator Jim Bates following a 1-9 start. The Bucs, who lost to New Orleans 38-7 Sunday, are 26th in the NFL in total defense, allowing just over 378 yards per game. They’re last in rushing defense and have allowed 294 points, the second-highest total in the league. It’s the second major change Morris has made with the coaching staff since training camp. Offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski was fired 10 days before the start of the season. It’s not clear what Bates’ duties will be the rest of the season. He was hired last winter to install a system to replace the one the Bucs ran for 13 seasons under former defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin.
Vikings game moved
NEW YORK — The NFL has moved the Minnesota at Arizona game to the night slot on Dec. 6 under its flexible scheduling policy. The league announced Tuesday that it was moving the original Week 13 night game, New England at Miami, to a 10 a.m. start. It will switch the Vikings-Cardinals game from 1:15 p.m. to 5:20 p.m. The league’s flexible scheduling policy allows it to change the Sunday night game to select a better matchup starting in Week 11. Minnesota leads the NFC North at 9-1 going into its home matchup Sunday against Chicago. Arizona is 7-3 and atop the NFC West heading into its game at Tennessee on Sunday.
Giants back will play
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs says his right leg feels “really good” and he should play against Denver on Thursday. Jacobs missed the fourth quarter and overtime in the Giants’ 34-31 win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday after he was tackled by Thomas DeCoud and Stephen Nicholas on a 5-yard run late in the third quarter. Jacobs was helped off the field and didn’t come back in the game. He participated in full practice Monday and was expected to practice again Tuesday. He walked through the locker room without being visibly hindered.
Roethlisberger to play
PITTSBURGH — Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has a concussion, but is expected to play Sunday at Baltimore as long as he continues to pass the daily tests given to players who have sustained the injury. Coach Mike Tomlin said on Tuesday that he plans to go into the game with Roethlisberger and second-year player Dennis Dixon as his only quarterbacks. A third, inexperienced quarterback will be signed, but Tomlin said he won’t be ready to play. Backup quarterback Charlie Batch broke his left wrist during the 27-24 loss in Kansas City on Sunday and will have surgery today.
Associated Press
BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Buffalo Bills consider two-time Super Bowl-winner Mike Shanahan a legitimate candidate to be their next head coach. A person familiar with the Bills’ search told The Associated Press that the team has contacted the former Denver Broncos’ coach. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity because the Bills are not discussing the search. Shanahan has been out of football since the Broncos fired him at the end of last season. A message left at his Denver office was not returned. He was 146-91 in 14 seasons in Denver, including the playoffs. But the Broncos struggled in his final three seasons, going 24-24, including an 8-8 finish last year in which they missed the playoffs after losing their final three games. Shanahan was fired with the Broncos owing him about $20 million over the final three years of his contract. The Bills would have to at least match what Shanahan’s owed if they intend to make a competitive offer.
Leftwich placed on IR
TAMPA, Fla. — Byron Leftwich’s season is over after the Tampa Bay Buccaneers put the backup quarterback on injured reserve with a sore right elbow. Leftwich opened the season as the starting quarterback, but was replaced by Josh Johnson after three games. Rookie Josh Freeman has since become the starter, and Leftwich had been listed as third on the depth chart. Tampa Bay also announced on Tuesday that it had signed quarterback Rudy Carpenter from the Dallas Cowboys practice squad. The Bucs also released reserve cornerback Mike Mickens. The team filled his roster spot by signing receiver Terrence Nunn from New England’s practice squad.
Winston gerts extension
PHILADELPHIA — Right tackle Winston Justice has signed a four-year contract extension with the Philadelphia Eagles. The team announced the deal on Tuesday. Justice could have become an unrestricted free agent after this season. A second-round pick in 2006, Justice has started every game this season after starting only one in his first three years in the NFL. He replaced Shawn Andrews, who didn’t take a snap and was placed on injured reserve with a season-ending back injury.
Bucs demote coach
TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa Bay coach Raheem Morris will call defensive plays for the Buccaneers after demoting defensive coordinator Jim Bates following a 1-9 start. The Bucs, who lost to New Orleans 38-7 Sunday, are 26th in the NFL in total defense, allowing just over 378 yards per game. They’re last in rushing defense and have allowed 294 points, the second-highest total in the league. It’s the second major change Morris has made with the coaching staff since training camp. Offensive coordinator Jeff Jagodzinski was fired 10 days before the start of the season. It’s not clear what Bates’ duties will be the rest of the season. He was hired last winter to install a system to replace the one the Bucs ran for 13 seasons under former defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin.
Vikings game moved
NEW YORK — The NFL has moved the Minnesota at Arizona game to the night slot on Dec. 6 under its flexible scheduling policy. The league announced Tuesday that it was moving the original Week 13 night game, New England at Miami, to a 10 a.m. start. It will switch the Vikings-Cardinals game from 1:15 p.m. to 5:20 p.m. The league’s flexible scheduling policy allows it to change the Sunday night game to select a better matchup starting in Week 11. Minnesota leads the NFC North at 9-1 going into its home matchup Sunday against Chicago. Arizona is 7-3 and atop the NFC West heading into its game at Tennessee on Sunday.
Giants back will play
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — New York Giants running back Brandon Jacobs says his right leg feels “really good” and he should play against Denver on Thursday. Jacobs missed the fourth quarter and overtime in the Giants’ 34-31 win over the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday after he was tackled by Thomas DeCoud and Stephen Nicholas on a 5-yard run late in the third quarter. Jacobs was helped off the field and didn’t come back in the game. He participated in full practice Monday and was expected to practice again Tuesday. He walked through the locker room without being visibly hindered.
Roethlisberger to play
PITTSBURGH — Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has a concussion, but is expected to play Sunday at Baltimore as long as he continues to pass the daily tests given to players who have sustained the injury. Coach Mike Tomlin said on Tuesday that he plans to go into the game with Roethlisberger and second-year player Dennis Dixon as his only quarterbacks. A third, inexperienced quarterback will be signed, but Tomlin said he won’t be ready to play. Backup quarterback Charlie Batch broke his left wrist during the 27-24 loss in Kansas City on Sunday and will have surgery today.
Associated Press
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