FALCONS: Atlanta assistant Emmitt Thomas was promoted Wednesday to interim head coach for the final three games of the regular season. He replaces Bobby Petrino, who resigned to become coach at Arkansas.
A 64-year-old assistant with the Falcons since 2002, Thomas has no previous experience as a head coach, but has 28 years in coaching. He’s the first black head coach in the team’s history.
Thomas will serve out the season following the sudden resignation of Petrino on Tuesday to return to college coaching.
The only assistant coach who was not with the team Wednesday was Petrino’s brother, wide receivers coach Paul Petrino, who also resigned.
COWBOYS: Dallas wide receiver Terry Glenn went through some drills at practice for the first time all season, a good indication the already dominant Dallas offense could have another weapon by the playoffs.
Glenn, out because of two knee operations, is not expected to play Sunday against the Eagles. He’s more likely to make his season debut the following Saturday at Carolina or in the regular-season finale at Washington. If the Cowboys get a first-round bye, Glenn would have four weeks of practice before the first playoff game.
RAMS: St. Louis quarterback Marc Bulger took all the repetitions in practice and is on track to return after missing two games with a concussion. But coach Scott Linehan will wait until Friday, after two more days of practice and no symptoms, before selecting Bulger as the starter for Sunday’s home game against the Green Packers.
RAVENS: Baltimore placed cornerback Chris McAlister on injured reserve, ending a disappointing season in which the three-time Pro Bower missed most of the second half with a sore knee.
BRONCOS: Denver punter Todd Sauerbrun proclaimed his innocence and expressed frustration over an assault charge stemming from an altercation with a taxi driver outside a restaurant last weekend.
“It’s a false allegation and the truth will come out,” Sauerbrun said. “It’s a completely overblown issue.”
Denver police said Sauerbrun was cited for simple assault early Saturday. Witnesses said he struck a cab driver who kicked him out of his taxi for belligerent behavior.
Sauerbrun said he’s flustered because this latest run-in paints him in a bad light with the public and the league — which suspended him last year — and might also impact his future in Denver, where coach Mike Shanahan gave him a second chance this season after he fell out of favor and was released last season.
CARDINALS: Arizona placed tight end Leonard Pope on injured reserve. Pope dislocated his right ankle in Sunday’s 41-21 loss at Seattle. Rookie Ben Patrick will move into Pope’s starting role.
JETS: The spy games between the New York Jets and New England Patriots began last season.
The Jets were caught videotaping at Gillette Stadium last season and the Patriots had that New York employee removed from the area, according to published reports Wednesday. Jets coach Eric Mangini said his team received permission to film behind both end zones during the playoff game in January.
Mangini maintained the Jets did nothing wrong, and had filmed at New England during the regular season without incident. It was nothing like what the Patriots did earlier this season, when a New England employee was caught taping New York’s defensive signals and punished by the league.
TEXANS: Houston receiver and kick returner Jerome Mathis received a misdemeanor citation after his pit bull chewed through a fence and behaved aggressively. Brazoria County sheriff’s department Capt. Chris Kincheloe said Wednesday that Mathis was cited for allowing a dog to roam, a misdemeanor that carries a fine of up to $500.
SAINTS: New Orleans signed kicker Martin Gramatica and placed Olindo Mare on injured reserve. Mare hurt his hip making a tackle late in the Saints’ 34-14 triumph over Atlanta on Monday night.
COLTS: Indianapolis is planning to be without four starters for Sunday’s game at Oakland. Coach Tony Dungy said Wednesday receiver Marvin Harrison (bruised left knee), defensive tackle Raheem Brock (ribs), safety Antoine Bethea (sprained left knee) and defensive end Robert Mathis (two sprained knees) are all expected to sit out this week.
DOLPHINS: Cleo Lemon will get another chance at quarterback. Lemon, 0-4 as a starter this season before losing his job to rookie John Beck, will be back in the lineup Sunday against the Baltimore Ravens.
49ERS: San Francisco put quarterback Alex Smith on injured reserve and signed Chris Weinke to provide depth at the injury-depleted position. Smith will have surgery today on his separated right shoulder.
Associated Press
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
