NFL notes
Published 9:37 pm Wednesday, January 23, 2008
RAVENS: Cam Cameron was hired as the Baltimore Ravens’ offensive coordinator Wednesday. The 46-year-old Cameron was fired as Miami Dolphins coach after going 1-15, with his lone victory coming at the expense of the Ravens. Cameron is the first assistant to join new coach John Harbaugh’s staff.
DOLPHINS: Miami coach Tony Sparano hired three assistants from his former team, the Dallas Cowboys. Joining Miami were Paul Pasqualoni as defensive coordinator, Todd Bowles as assistant head coach and secondary coach, and Kacy Rodgers as defensive line coach. All worked in Dallas with Sparano, who was the Cowboys’ assistant head coach before taking the Miami job last week. VMI head coach Jim Reid accepted an offer to become the Dolphins’ linebackers coach. David Corrao, who coached linebackers at Mississippi in 2007, joined Miami as defensive quality control coach. Dolphins linebacker Channing Crowder crashed his pickup truck into a tree alongside Florida’s Turnpike on Wednesday and left the scene of the early morning collision, authorities said. Crowder was cited for careless driving and leaving the scene of a crash involving property damage — a second-degree misdemeanor.
PACKERS: Green Bay offensive tackle Chad Clifton has been added to the NFC Pro Bowl roster, replacing the Seahawks Walter Jones, who had shoulder surgery.
CHARGERS: Charlie Joiner, the team’s career receiving leader, was hired to replace James Lofton, who was fired Tuesday, as the team’s wide receivers coach. Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers had surgery Wednesday to repair the torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. The surgery was performed by Dr. David Chao of the team’s medical staff. Rivers will rehab for up to six months.
BUCCANEERS: Mike Alstott’s long run with Tampa Bay may be over. Amid speculation that the six-time Pro Bowl selection is set to announce his retirement after 12 seasons, the team said the 34-year-old fullback will discuss his plans for the future during a news conference today.
SAINTS: Ex-Mississippi head coach Ed Orgeron, who was fired after the 2007 season, is joining New Orleans as defensive line coach.
TITANS: Former Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Rien Long has improved to stable condition after he crashed his sports car into a rock wall while driving onto an interstate. Nashville Police said the 26-year-old Long was driving too fast down an onramp to Interstate 40 near downtown just before midnight Monday. Vanderbilt University Medical Center officials say Long’s condition has steadily improved over the last 24 hours. Long won the Outland Trophy and was an All-American as a junior at Washington State in 2002. Long missed the 2006 season with a torn Achilles’ tendon, then was placed on injured reserve for 2007 with a knee injury before being waived.
REDSKINS: Sean Taylor, the first player voted posthumously to the Pro Bowl, will have his jersey number worn at the game by two of his former Washington Redskins teammates. The NFL announced that tight end Chris Cooley and tackle Chris Samuels will both wear No. 21 at the game Feb. 10 in Honolulu. Taylor died Nov. 27, a day after being shot at his home in Florida. The 24-year-old safety was leading the NFL in interceptions at the time. He was chosen the following month for the NFC team in balloting among coaches, players and fans.
Associated Press
