REDSKINS: The team fired defensive coordinator Gregg Williams and offensive coordinator Al Saunders and promoted defensive line coach Greg Blache to defensive coordinator on Saturday. The Redskins also formally announced the hiring of Seahawks quarterback coach Jim Zorn, who agreed to a three-year deal Friday to become Washington’s offensive coordinator. Quarterbacks coach Bill Lazor and Al Saunders’ son, offensive assistant Bob Saunders, will also not return next season, the Associated Press reported. The Associated Press reported that most, if not all, of the rest of the coaching staff was expected to remain with the team. The Redskins also announced that a head coach would likely not be in place for at least another week.
RAIDERS: Lane Kiffin said he hopes to be back as Oakland Raiders coach next season, a day after reports surfaced that owner Al Davis has asked him to resign.
Kiffin was asked after coaching the North team at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala., on Saturday whether he wanted to return for a second season as Oakland’s coach.
“I hope so,” he said.
Kiffin would not comment further on a report by ESPN that Davis drew up a resignation letter for him two weeks ago.
“It’s got nothing to do with this game, and these guys’ last game here,” he said.
The Raiders have denied the report when it came out Friday.
Speculation about Kiffin’s status began three weeks ago after reports surfaced following the season that he wanted to fire defensive coordinator Rob Ryan. The Raiders dismissed those reports and announced that Ryan was staying on as coordinator.
Kiffin was reportedly upset that he didn’t have control of his coaching staff, leading Davis to ask for his resignation. If Kiffin were to resign, he would not be paid for the remaining two years of his contract.
Kiffin, 32, was the youngest man to coach a game in the NFL since Harland Svare took over the Los Angeles Rams as a 31-year old in 1962. The team went 4-12 in his first season in Oakland.
BROWNS: Cleveland has made contract offers to quarterback Derek Anderson and running back Jamal Lewis, key players they hope to keep off the free-agent market. Anderson, who won 10 games and threw 29 touchdown passes in his first season as a starter, is scheduled to become a restricted free agent on Feb. 29. If the Browns can’t lock him up with a long-term deal before then, they can tender him with a one-year contract worth $2.52 million. The club would then be able to match any contract offers made to Anderson by other teams or receive first- and third-round draft picks as compensation if the 24-year-old signs with another team. Lewis rushed for 1,304 yards and nine TDs in his first season with the Browns, who signed him to a one-year, incentive-stuffed contract worth $5 million last March. Lewis, who can become an unrestricted free agent, has said he wants to stay with Cleveland.
BENGALS: The NFL cleared linebacker Odell Thurman to resume working out with Cincinnati, a step toward reinstatement from his two-year suspension. Thurman will be allowed to work out with the training staff at Paul Brown Stadium. He’s hoping for full reinstatement before the team’s minicamp in April.
Associated Press
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