NFL NOTEBOOK
Published 11:35 pm Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Chargers axe four assistants
SAN DIEGO — Chargers coach Norv Turner got rid of four assistants on Tuesday, two days after San Diego was eliminated from the playoffs by the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Secondary coach Bill Bradley and tight ends coach Clancy Barone were fired. The team said offensive line coach Jack Henry and assistant secondary and quality control coach Kevin Ross will not have their contracts renewed when they expire in February.
Cards bring back TE
TEMPE, Ariz. — Arizona has re-signed 10-year veteran tight end Jerame Tuman to replace injured Stephen Spach. The Cardinals placed Spach on injured reserve Tuesday because of a torn ligament in his right knee.
Denver hires Nolan
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — New Broncos head coach Josh McDaniels has lured former San Francisco 49ers coach Mike Nolan to Denver. Nolan agreed late Tuesday to become the Broncos’ fourth defensive coordinator in four years. Nolan, 49, served as defensive coordinator with the Ravens, Jets, Redskins and Giants before getting his first head coaching job in San Francisco, where he was fired midway through his fourth season last year.
Houston promotes Bush
HOUSTON — The Texans made Frank Bush, 46, their defensive coordinator Tuesday. He replaces Richard Smith, who was fired along with two other defensive assistants after the Texans finished 8-8 for the second consecutive season. Houston ranked 22nd in total defense (336.6 yards per game) and 23rd against the run (122.6 yards per game). The Texans also finished minus-10 in turnover margin after forcing only 22 turnovers, third lowest in the AFC.
Wiegmann going to Pro Bowl
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Denver Broncos center Casey Wiegmann has been added to the AFC roster for the Pro Bowl, earning his first trip to the league’s all-star game in his 13th NFL season. Wiegmann centered a line that set a franchise record by allowing just 12 sacks this season and was second in the league with a 396-yard average.
Bucs’ pair make to Pro Bowl
TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa Bay’s Ronde Barber and Davin Joseph were added to the NFC Pro Bowl squad on Tuesday, replacing Green Bay cornerback Charles Woodson and Dallas guard Leonard Davis. It’s the fifth selection for Barber, who had four interceptions and extended his consecutive games streak to 176 this season. It will be the first trip to the annual all-star game for Joseph, the Buccaneers’ first-round draft pick in 2006.
Pittsburgh’s Polamalu ailing
PITTSBURGH — Steelers All-Pro safety Troy Polamalu injured a calf before last Sunday’s divisional playoff victory over San Diego and will work only lightly during the first couple of days of practice for the AFC championship game. Coach Mike Tomlin wasn’t certain if Polamalu could play against the Chargersts until Polamalu ran onto the field for the first defensive series. Polamalu played the entire game as the Steelers won 35-24, but he had no interceptions and was limited to three tackles.
Lions talk to Miami assistant
ALLEN PARK, Mich. — Detroit on Tuesday interviewed Todd Bowles, Miami’s assistant head coach, as a potential replacement for the fired Rod Marinelli. The 45-year-old Bowles is one of several candidates to assume the reins of the worst team in league history. Detroit fired Marinelli on Dec. 29, a day after the franchise finished the first 0-16 season in NFL history. The Lions also have interviewed Tennessee defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, the New York Giants’ Steve Spagnuolo, San Diego’s Ron Rivera and Minnesota’s Leslie Frazier — all defensive coordinators.
Chiefs hire new GM
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Scott Pioli, who helped build and lead a dynasty in New England, is now in charge of a Kansas City franchise which hasn’t won a playoff game in 14 years. The 43-year-old Pioli will be introduced on today as Chiefs general manager, replacing Carl Peterson. The fate of coach Herm Edwards and his staff was not immediately known.
Associated Press
