hard to pick between manning and peterson for...

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Hard to pick between Manning and Peterson for MVP

by Alex Marvez Alex Marvez is a Senior NFL Writer for FOXSports.com. He's covered the NFL for 14 seasons as a beat writer and is the president of the Pro Football Writers of America. Updated: December 30, 2008, 12:07 PM EST Can I have another week or two? Please? Oh well. The Associated Press wasn't going to wait for my 2008 awards ballot beyond Monday's noon deadline. So even though no clear-cut favorite had emerged, I had to pick somebody for the NFL Most Valuable Player honor. This was a torturous process. One day, I was leaning toward Indianapolis quarterback Peyton Manning. The next, Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson. The former led his team to nine consecutive victories and a playoff spot. The latter won the NFL's rushing title. Manning. Peterson. Manning. Peterson. I looked at the negatives. Manning wasn't consistently playing at an MVP level during Indianapolis' 3-4 start. Peterson is a largely one- dimensional player who doesn't factor into Minnesota's passing game beyond serving as a decoy. Manning. Peterson. Manning. Peterson. Tick, tick, tick ... Well, I'm basically out of time so here it goes: Manning got my vote. Let's forget about Sunday's regular-season finale

against Tennessee. With their playoff seeding already set, both teams were going through the motions while looking ahead to the postseason. But from Weeks 9 to 16, no player at football's toughest position was better. Manning averaged 269 passing yards and two touchdowns each game while completing 71.4 percent of his attempts. Manning also threw just three interceptions and was sacked four times, which can be partially credited to his pocket savvy. It wasn't just the aftereffects of messy offseason knee surgery and preseason rust that Manning overcame in 2008. His supporting cast was arguably the worst since Manning's rookie season in 1998. The Colts ranked 31st in rushing with running back Joseph Addai and the offensive line beset by injuries. Manning also has sorely lacked a deep threat with wide receiver Marvin Harrison (60 catches for 636 yards) a shell of the player he once was. Still, Manning notched his seventh consecutive season with double-digit victories. Two of those came against the NFL's best defenses — Pittsburgh and Baltimore. There were come-from-behind road victories against Minnesota, Houston and San Diego. And the topper: A 29-of-34, 362-yard passing performance on Dec. 18 at Jacksonville that saw Manning complete his first 17 throws. Peterson never enjoyed the same caliber single- game performance as Manning. Peterson, though, was more consistent throughout the entire season. He notched 100-yard rushing outings in 10 of 16 games and was held below 76 yards just once.

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Adrian Peterson is a great player,

but he isn't a complete one just yet.

(Tom Dahlin / Getty Images)

Peterson did this with defenses keying to stop him as Minnesota juggled quarterbacks Tarvaris Jackson and Gus Frerotte as starters. This is why Peterson is receiving my vote as the NFL's top offensive player. He was too good to get stiffed on two awards.

Yet there's a play from mid-November that I couldn't get out of my head. Trailing 19-13 at Tampa Bay, the Vikings faced a fourth-and-three with 2:29 remaining. A healthy Peterson wasn't even on the field. He could only watch as Tampa Bay forced a Frerotte interception and held on for the victory. A true MVP carries his team in that situation. Instead, Vikings coach Brad Childress felt backup running back Chester Taylor was the better option in a passing situation. Say what you will about Childress' head coaching prowess and decision making, but the fact Peterson was on the sideline tells me he isn't a complete player just yet. Once again, Manning has proven that he is. Here is the rest of my AP ballot. Award winners will be announced in the coming days. Coach: Atlanta's Mike Smith He didn't have the Big Brother-type backing of Bill Parcells like Miami's Tony Sparano. He didn't inherit

an all-star defense like Baltimore's John Harbaugh. And unlike New England's Bill Belichick, his team was coming off a nightmare season both on and off the field. That's what separates Smith from the three other top contenders for this award. With returning veterans having gotten burned by former head coach Bobby Petrino, Smith first had to win the trust of his roster. He then needed to erase the stigma surrounding the franchise from the Michael Vick dog-fighting scandal that crippled the 2007 Falcons. Smith quickly did both through his player-friendly approach and assembling of a top- notch coaching staff with 188 combined years of NFL experience. He also worked closely with first- year general manager Thomas Dimitroff in reshaping Atlanta's roster. A defensive specialist, Smith reduced the practice repetitions being given to injury-prone defensive end John Abraham and was rewarded with a 16.5- sack season. Smith wisely recognized early in the preseason that rookie quarterback Matt Ryan was already primed to become a starter and pulled the trigger. The Falcons also showed excellent resiliency under Smith, having yet to lose consecutive games under his watch. Not bad for a guy who had never held a head coaching position before at any level. Comeback Player: Miami quarterback Chad Pennington To those now claiming the New York Jets made a mistake by cutting Pennington: Where were you in August? That's when fans and media couldn't scoot



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Pennington out the door fast enough in favor of Brett Favre. You can't blame them, really. Pennington experienced a disastrous 2007 campaign — getting benched at midseason for the equally poor Kellen Clemens — and hadn't even secured a starting spot entering the 2008 preseason. The Dolphins didn't care and quickly signed Pennington following his Jets release. It was the best personnel move the overhauled Dolphins made in 2008. Pennington has helped orchestrate the greatest single-season turnaround in NFL history. He isn't flashy — and never was — but his efficient play (just seven interceptions in 476 attempts) helped Miami have the league's best turnover ratio at plus-17. Pennington also provided Miami's best quarterback leadership since Dan Marino in the 1990s. That was especially important on a team with so many new and young players. Said Dolphins tight end Anthony Fasano: "He was signed on a Wednesday and voted a team captain on Saturday. What does that tell you?" It tells you Pennington probably has a long-term future as Miami's starting quarterback. Nobody can say the same for Favre in New York. Defensive player: (tie) Dallas linebacker DeMarcus Ware, Pittsburgh linebacker James Harrison I have never split an AP vote before, but the competition in this category was too close to reward a single player. Ware and Harrison are both worthy of this honor. With 20 sacks, Ware made a strong run at Michael Strahan's single-season sack record of 22.5. Ware had a sack in all but two of those contests and three three-sack games where he was simply unblockable. But how can you slight the top player on the NFL's No. 1 defense? Harrison set Pittsburgh's single- season sack record with 16, forced seven fumbles and had an interception. The attention that Harrison drew helped create opportunities for fellow outside linebacker LaMarr Woodley, who notched 11.5 sacks in his second NFL season. Harrison's steady pressure also allowed Pittsburgh to use safety Troy Polamalu more extensively in pass coverage. Polamalu has responded with a career-high seven interceptions. Ware and Harrison have played so well that Miami linebacker Joey Porter — who also has enjoyed an outstanding season — can't crack the top two for this award. Offensive rookie: Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan Look up. See that bar? Ryan has set it there for all

rookie quarterbacks that follow. He has enjoyed arguably the greatest season ever for a first-year quarterback. It isn't just sound passing statistics or the fact he is the first rookie to ever start 16 games and throw fewer than 15 interceptions. It's how well Ryan responded to the pressure that came with having the largest rookie contract in NFL history, not to mention the tall task of making Falcons fans forget about Michael Vick. Ryan did both and led Atlanta into the playoffs to boot. Defensive rookie: New England linebacker Jerod Mayo Traditionally, Patriots coach Bill Belichick has shown the same affinity for rookie linebackers as he does discussing injury issues with the media — none. Belichick usually goes the free-agent route à la veterans like Adalius Thomas, Rosevelt Colvin and Junior Seau. But this year, Belichick addressed his team's aging unit by selecting a linebacker in the first round for the first time since becoming New England's head coach in 2000. He wasn't disappointed. A starter at left inside linebacker from the get-go, Mayo leads his team and all rookies in tackles with 128. He also was credited with New England's first 20-tackle game since Stats LLC began tracking the statistic in 2004. "For a rookie, he is probably as professional as anybody I've coached," Belichick recently told Patriots media. All-Pro teams

The number of selections allowed is in parenthesis



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Offense WR (2): Andre Johnson, Houston; Steve Smith, CarolinaTE (1): Jason Witten, DallasT (2): Michael Roos, Tennessee; Jordan Gross, CarolinaG (2): Steve Hutchinson, Minnesota; Chris Snee, New York GiantsC (1):Shaun O'Hara, GiantsQB (1):Peyton Manning, IndianapolisRB (2): Adrian Peterson, Minnesota; Michael Turner, AtlantaFB (1): Le'Ron McClain, BaltimorePlace Kicker (1): Stephen Gostkowski, New EnglandKick/punt Returner (1): Clifton Smith, Tampa Bay Defense DE (2): John Abraham, Atlanta; Aaron Smith, PittsburghDT (2): Albert Haynesworth, Tennessee; Kevin Williams, MinnesotaOLB (2): DeMarcus Ware, Dallas; James Harrison, PittsburghILB (2): James Farrior, Pittsburgh; Ray Lewis, BaltimoreCB (2): Nnamdi Asomugha, Oakland; Cortland Finnegan, TennesseeS (2): Troy Polamalu, Pittsburgh; Ed Reed, BaltimorePunter (1): Donnie Jones, St. Louis



SPORTS / STEELERS & NFL

Roethlisberger's injury 'mild'Wednesday, December 31, 2008 By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Peter Diana / Post-Gazette

Ben Roethlisberger has taken a number of hits this season that have left him hurting.

Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was not the only Steelers player who left Sunday's game after a blow to the head. He was the only one who left Heinz Field in an ambulance.

The other, safety Tyrone Carter, left the field briefly in the first quarter, then returned and intercepted two passes, proving there are concussions, and then there are concussions.

"Even though I had a concussion and Tyrone Carter had a concussion in the last game, it all depends on the severity of it," safety Troy Polamalu said.

Polamalu left the Oct. 19 game in Cincinnati after tackling Bengals back Cedrick Benson. He returned to practice the following Wednesday and started the next game against the New York Giants.

Roethlisberger also is likely to start the next game when the Steelers open the playoffs at home. Sources yesterday described his concussion as "mild" or "low grade," and coach Mike Tomlin would not rule out him practicing this week.

Roethlisberger watched Steelers practice yesterday, then left quickly afterward without speaking to the news media.

Tomlin said his quarterback will continue to undergo tests but sounded optimistic Roethlisberger will play Jan. 11.

"He's doing better," Tomlin said. "He's starting the process of taking the battery of tests that come after one sustains a concussion. I don't know where we are in regards to those tests. We have less urgency this time around because we don't play on Sunday, quite honestly.

"We will proceed slowly with him because we have that luxury. But we feel comfortable with where he is relative to Sunday and where he's capable of being next week in preparation for our game."

It was at least Roethlisberger's third concussion in 2 1/2 years. He suffered one in his infamous motorcycle accident in June 2006 and another in Atlanta that October. It's possible he could have had more, because not every concussion is revealed publicly by the Steelers.

Carter left Sunday's game during the Steelers' first defensive series after he tackled receiver Donte Stallworth. At the time, his return was described as questionable because of "a blow to the head."

"I was woozy a little bit, but it wasn't like a concussion or they never would have let me back in," Carter said.

He said he answered all the doctor's questions, including the play in which he was injured.

"When I hit the dude, I felt numbness in my hand a little bit and I was trying to wait for it to come back because I didn't have any feelings at first," Carter remembered. "Then, I stepped up and I was not light-headed, but I was weak. When I got to the

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sideline, I knew everything. It was some freaky stuff."

Polamalu's concussion in October was his second in the past three seasons and seventh confirmed since his high school days.

"I think they're excellent how they deal with concussions," he said of the Steelers. "The doctors have to clear you. You have to be really honest with the doctors."

Roethlisberger's last public concussion occurred Oct. 22, 2006, in Atlanta. He started, amidst great public debate, the following week in Oakland and threw four interceptions, two returned for touchdowns, and was sacked five times in a 30-23 loss to the Raiders.

It does not mean there will be a repeat performance this time, his teammates say.

"We're not going off with what's happened in previous years or anything like that," defensive end Brett Keisel said.

"I think he's OK. I talked to him, he's doing all right. I don't know if he's clear yet, he got his bell rung pretty good and it takes a little time to shake those bells out of your ears.

"I've had a few. I think most people who play this game get a few. He just hit hard and hit wrong. Anytime you slap your head on the back like that it's going to leave you a little fuzzy, but I think he's going to be OK."

Byron Leftwich, who replaced Roethlisberger at the end of the first half Sunday and helped the Steelers to a 31-0 victory against the Browns, took most of the snaps in practice yesterday.

"The great thing is that all the tests on him were negative, so it's just a concussion," Leftwich said. "We say 'just' because they happen every week in football. You just hope that he can respond well and come back from it and get a chance to practice and doesn't have any lingering effects from it.

"He seemed cool to me, everything seemed cool, nothing I'd put a red flag up from talking to him or anything. He's the same old Ben."

Ed Bouchette can be reached at [email protected].

First published on December 31, 2008 at 12:00 am

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Steelers Notebook: No surprises for 1st opponentTomlin says team familiar with 3 possible foes in second round Wednesday, December 31, 2008 By Ed Bouchette, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Peter Diana/Post-Gazette

As good as Hines Ward has been during the regular season -- and that's a career that includes 800 catches -- he stands out even more in the postseason.

The Steelers earned the luxury of this weekend off, but it does not mean they have a week off -- nor New Year's Day.

They will practice for the second consecutive day today and report for practice a little later tomorrow so they can sleep; many of them will ring in 2009 tonight at a party together.

Many coaches who have had playoff bye weeks use the first week to practice against a different possible foe each day. The Steelers could play one of three teams Jan. 11 -- San Diego, Miami or Indianapolis. But because they played San Diego and Indianapolis this season and Miami at the end of last season, coach Mike Tomlin said he will not work on any particular offense or defense.

"We have a luxury that we've pretty much seen everybody we would play anyway, whether it's this season or late in the year last season," Tomlin said. "We're familiar with them. There will be very few surprises from that standpoint when we find out who we play."

Said safety Troy Polamalu, "I think we're just getting back to the basics, doing our fundamentals and preparing a little for some stuff we may see."

Post-production

As good as Hines Ward has been in the regular season during his career, he has been even more productive in the postseason.

Ward has 896 yards receiving on 67 receptions in 11 postseason games and scored eight touchdowns. He also has that MVP from Super Bowl XL.

His average per catch in the postseason is 13.4 yards, compared to 12.2 in the regular season. He also scores at a better clip in the postseason: His eight touchdowns give him an average of 0.73 for every postseason start compared to 0.48 for every regular-season start.

Ward's 67 receptions are a postseason record, 10 more than John Stallworth's. He needs 12 yards to pass Lynn Swann for second place in postseason yardage and 159 to move past Stallworth into first.

To bye, or not to bye

Polamalu is not sure what effect the bye week can have on the outcome of a playoff game. But he knows what he likes.

"Right now, I'm happy we have it."

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The Steelers have not won a Super Bowl when they've had a bye since they won their fourth, XIV after the 1979 season.

"I think people may think there may be an advantage in a bye week, mentally," Polamalu said. "I don't think there is at all. I think physically there is."

The last time the Steelers had a playoff bye came after the 2004 season. They squeaked past the New York Jets, 20-17, in overtime at Heinz Field, before the New England Patriots beat them, 41-27, in the AFC championship game.

"In hindsight we can all say we got our butts kicked when we were 15-1," Polamalu said of that season. "If we didn't have the bye week, who knows what would have happened."

No regrets about Big Ben

Tomlin, asked if in hindsight he wishes he had not played Ben Roethlisberger as long as he did Sunday, said: "Does it really matter? We don't have that luxury. We don't live in that world. I never second-guess the decisions that we make. We're thoughtful in the process of coming to those decisions and when we make them, we live with them. That's what we're doing in this instance."

Fast start, strong finish

Willie Parker has had four 100-yard games in his four season openers as a starter, and his 116 yards Sunday left him with four 100-yard games in his five regular-season finales.

The only time he did not finish with a 100-yard game came last season when his leg was broken on his only carry of the 15th game.

Parker became the fifth back to lead the Steelers in rushing four consecutive seasons. The others were Jerome Bettis, Franco Harris, John Henry Johnson and Fran Rogel.

Quick hits

Anthony Madison led the special teams with 25 tackles, 16 of them solo ... LaMarr Woodley, second on the team with 11.5 sacks, had only two in the final seven games ... James Harrison not only set a Steelers record with 16 sacks, his seven forced fumbles tied for the team high since 1992 ... James Farrior led the Steelers with 146 tackles, 100 solo.


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Page 2 of 2Steelers Notebook: No surprises for 1st opponent



NFL Notebook: Broncos fire icon ShanahanPoor finish cost Super Bowl coach his job Wednesday, December 31, 2008 The Associated Press

He was known as a genius, a mastermind and, yes, a Super Bowl champion. Shockingly, though, Mike Shanahan has a newtitle: Unemployed coach.

Shanahan became the latest and most stunning victim of the NFL coaching purge, fired yesterday by the Denver Broncos after a late-season collapse knocked the team out of the playoffs for the third year in a row.

Shanahan became the fourth coach to be fired this week, joining Eric Mangini, Rod Marinelli and Romeo Crennel, after going 24-24 over the past three seasons, including three consecutive losses in 2008 that turned a three-game division lead to an 8-8 record.

"After giving this careful consideration, I have concluded that a change in our football operations is in the best interests of the Denver Broncos," owner Pat Bowlen said.

Bowlen had been steadfastly loyal to Shanahan, rewarding the coach who brought the long-awaited Super Bowl title to Denver.

But Denver remained stuck on only one postseason victory since John Elway retired in 1999 following back-to-back championships. Shanahan finishes at 146-91 over 14 seasons in Denver, including playoffs; his final game was an unseemly 52-21 loss to San Diego with the division title on the line.

"I'm very shocked, extremely shocked," said rookie Spencer Larsen, who played fullback and linebacker this year. "I don't think any of us saw this coming."

"I don't know if necessarily they'll find a better football coach," said linebacker Bill Romanowski, a key player on the Super Bowl teams. "Mike is an outstanding football coach, one of the better coaches I had, if not the best.

"But players start to get tired of the same routines, the same kind of play calling. A new fresh coat of paint sometimes does a whole lot of good."

Shanahan also served as the club's executive vice president of football operations and was in charge of all personnel decisions, so it's likely the Broncos will join the Chiefs in searching for new front-office leadership as well as a head coach.

49ers

Mike Martz was officially dismissed, sending the 49ers on a search for their seventh offensive coordinator in seven seasons. In response to growing speculation, coach Mike Singletary formally announced the move in a brief statement e-mailed to reporters.

Bills

Bills coach Dick Jauron will return next season after team owner Ralph Wilson decided a shake-up wasn't necessary despite a third consecutive 7-9 finish that left unhappy fans demanding change.

Jets

Brett Favre reportedly has a torn biceps tendon in his right arm that will not need major surgery to repair, ESPN said. ESPN, citing unnamed sources, reported that Favre would need arthroscopic surgery to repair the injury but could also play without having an operation.

Also, the Jets will talk to Bill Cowher about their vacant coaching job, a person familiar with the search said. Cowher has also expressed interest in the job that opened Monday, the person said, when the Jets fired Eric Mangini.

Page 1 of 2NFL Notebook: Broncos fire icon Shanahan


Texans

Dissatisfied with the development of a defense featuring three first-round picks, Texans coach Gary Kubiak fired coordinator Richard Smith, secondary coach Jon Hoke and defensive line coach Jethro Franklin.

Browns

Cleveland has scheduled an interview today with fired Jets coach Mangini, a person with knowledge of the meeting said.

Falcons

Atlanta running back Michael Turner was involved in a "domestic dispute" Monday night with the mother of his infant child. Police made no arrests and will not file charges.

Copyright 2008 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.


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Page 2 of 2NFL Notebook: Broncos fire icon Shanahan


Big Ben sits out practice By Scott Brown TRIBUNE-REVIEW Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Ben Roethlisberger watched practice Tuesday and quickly fled from the Steelers' locker room afterward.

The Steelers quarterback made a considerably less conspicuous exit than he did last Sunday, when he got carted off the playing surface at Heinz Field.

The concussion that Roethlisberger suffered in a 31-0 win over the Cleveland Browns doesn't look like it will have much bearing on the Steelers' AFC Divisional playoff game.

The Steelers will monitor Roethlisberger closely, but he's expected to be OK for the team's first playoff game. And coach Mike Tomlin didn't rule out Roethlisberger practicing before the Steelers take a three-day weekend to recharge and then resume their push to the Super Bowl.

"We're going to proceed slowly with him because we have that luxury," Tomlin said, "but we feel comfortable with where he is relative to (last) Sunday and where he's capable of being next week in preparation for our game."

The question of whether Roethlisberger could have played this weekend is a moot one since the Steelers received a first-round bye in the playoffs by going 12-4 in the regular season and winning the AFC North.

Roethlisberger hasn't talked publicly since he hit the back of his head on the turf at Heinz Field and stayed down for more than 10 minutes. He could address his situation today, as he normally speaks with reporters Wednesdays during the season.

"He seems all right -- a little sore but understandably so," said left tackle Max Starks, whose locker is next to Roethlisberger's at the Steelers' South Side training facility. "I'm just glad things aren't as bad as it looked Sunday. That's always a good sign."

Last Sunday marked the second time during Roethlisberger's Steelers career that he's been knocked out of a game with a concussion.

The last time it happened -- October 2006 --- Roethlisberger played the following week at Oakland, though he threw four interceptions in a 20-13 loss to the Raiders.

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Tomlin said Roethlisberger already has started taking ImPACT tests, which the Steelers and other NFL teams use to gauge where a player is physically and mentally after sustaining a concussion.

The tests measure a number of things, including reaction time, visual and verbal memory and hand-eye coordination. Results are measured against baseline scores that are recorded before the season when players are healthy.

"I believe you take it every day until you start meeting your baseline scores," said strong safety Troy Polamalu, who played a week after sustaining a concussion in an Oct. 19 game against the Bengals.

Tomlin says he will follow the recommendation of the Steelers' medical staff when proceeding with Roethlisberger.

"There's never been a circumstance in the two years I've been here where they've given the green light on somebody and I've felt uncomfortable with it," Tomlin said. "If they err, they're going to err on the side of caution."

Tomlin didn't take a cautious approach to the Steelers' final regular-season game, even though his team already had wrapped up a division title and the No. 2 seed in the AFC playoffs.

Tomlin played his key starters for most of the game and said he doesn't regret the decision, even with what happened to Roethlisberger.

"I never second-guess the decisions that we make," Tomlin said. "We're thoughtful in the process of coming to those decisions, and when we make them, we live with them."

Scott Brown can be reached at [email protected] or 412-481-5432.

Images and text copyright © 2008 by The Tribune-Review Publishing Co.

Reproduction or reuse prohibited without written consent from PghTrib.com

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Clark could return next week By Scott Brown TRIBUNE-REVIEW Wednesday, December 31, 2008

• Ryan Clark lifted weights Monday, and the Steelers' starting free safety says he anticipates returning to practice at the beginning of next week.

Clark didn't play in the Steelers' final regular-season game after re-injuring his right shoulder in a 31-14 loss to Tennessee on Dec. 21. Clark missed a game earlier this season after separating his right shoulder. He gets an extra week to recover because the Steelers received a first-round bye in the playoffs. "Last time, I felt I could play the first week (after the injury)," Clark said. "I knew there was no way I could play last week. Once I get the full range of motion, I should be back at practice Monday."

• Steelers coach Mike Tomlin will watch the NFL playoff games this weekend, though not for enjoyment. Tomlin said Tuesday that he catches games on TV when his schedule allows, if only to see what he can glean about an upcoming Steelers opponent. "I think watching televised games gives you a different perspective from time to time -- one that I like," Tomlin said. "Some of the line-of-scrimmage communication with the audio is interesting to me. Some of the commentary that comes out of production meetings, from hearing coaches and players speak, is interesting to me." When asked how revealing he is during the interviews networks conduct with players and coaches prior to a game they are broadcasting, Tomlin smiled. "Believe it or not," he said, "I'm always guarded with what I say."

• Safety Tyrone Carter said he hurt his shoulder and not his head while making a tackle in the first quarter of the Steelers' 31-0 win over the Browns last Sunday. Carter, who was playing for the injured Clark, returned to action in the second half. He picked off two passes and returned one of the interceptions 32 yards for a touchdown. Carter is one of five finalists for the GMC Sierra Defensive Player of the Week award.

Scott Brown can be reached at [email protected] or 412-481-5432.

Images and text copyright © 2008 by The Tribune-Review Publishing Co.

Reproduction or reuse prohibited without written consent from PghTrib.com

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WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 31, 2008 :: Last modified: Wednesday, December 31, 2008 12:14 AM EST

Leftwich fine with being on call at QB By Mike Bires, Times Sports Staff

PITTSBURGH — Mike Tomlin claims the Steelers have two franchise quarterbacks. One is Ben Roethlisberger. The other is Byron Leftwich, who’s resurrecting his pro career as Roethlisberger’s backup.

Leftwich, signed in August after Charlie Batch suffered a season-ending broken shoulder, might play a significant role when the Steelers resume their Super Bowl chase on Jan. 11. Roethlisberger is expected to start despite suffering a concussion this past Sunday in a 31-0 win over the Browns. But in the remote chance he isn’t cleared to play, or if he struggles in the divisional round playoff game, Leftwich will be summoned. “I really don’t have a clue,” Leftwich said when asked if Roethlisberger will start Jan. 11. “I’m just trying to do what I do every day, and that’s to be ready in case my number is called.” The seventh pick of the 2003 draft, Leftwich was the Jaguars’ starting quarterback for three-plus years before suffering a season-ending ankle injury six games into the 2006 season. Three of his starts were hard-fought games against the Steelers. In two of those games, Leftwich and the Jaguars won. Leftwich is well-respected by his Steeler teammates for the way he’s played in four appearances this year. He also believes his past experience against the Steelers adds to the respect he’s getting in Pittsburgh. “It started with the battles I had playing against this team,” Leftwich said. “I don’t think these guys look at me as a backup quarterback. They look at me as another quarterback on this football team who, if called upon, can help them win.” Leftwich lost his starting job in Jacksonville just before the start of the 2007 season when coach Jack Del Rio switched to David Garrard. Leftwich was then signed by Atlanta but appeared in only three games before being released. But when Batch got hurt, the Steelers brought Leftwich in for a tryout and signed him. “I’ve been placed high on the pedestal before and then for two years being so low, you understand how to deal with football,” he said. “You just understand that whenever you get your opportunity, go out there and make plays and let everyone know you can still play. “Things happen for a reason. I wouldn’t change anything in the world just to be part of this kind of team. It’s the best team I’ve been on.”

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Roethlisberger may return to practice Thursday By Mike Bires, Times Sports Staff

PITTSBURGH — Ben Roethlisberger, his sore head covered by the hood of his sweatshirt, didn’t do much or say much. He didn’t practice and he didn’t speak to the media. He looked and acted like a football player recovering from a concussion. “He’s doing better,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said after the two-hour workout Tuesday morning. “He’s starting the process of taking a battery of tests that comes after one sustains a concussion. Don’t know where we are in terms of the results of those tests. We have less urgency this time around because we don’t have a game this week.

“We’ll proceed slowly with him because we have that luxury. But we feel comfortable to where he is relative to (this past) Sunday and where he’s capable of being next week.” Tomlin said that he has not ruled out Roethlisberger practice today or Thursday. But he does expect Roethlisberger to play Jan. 11 in the AFC divisional playoff game.

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Ben back at practice By F. Dale Lolley, Staff writer

[email protected]

PITTSBURGH - Just two days after suffering a concussion that forced him to be carted off the field during the Steelers' 31-0 win over the Cleveland Browns, Ben Roethlisberger was on the practice field with his teammates.

Roethlisberger wasn't practicing, but he could be seen joking with teammates and it appears he will be given medical clearance to return for the Steelers' Jan. 11 playoff game against either the Colts, Chargers or Dolphins.

He left without speaking to reporters.

"We have less urgency this time around because we don't play Sunday, quite honestly," Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin said Tuesday. "We held him out today because we did that with a lot of veteran players. We will proceed slowly with him because we have that luxury. But we feel comfortable with where he is relative to Sunday and where he's capable of being next week."

Tomlin wouldn't rule Roethlisberger out for a return to practice this week, but there's no hurry as the Steelers won't find out who they play until this weekend.

The lowest remaining seed after the first-round games will play at Tennessee, while the highest seed among this weekend's winners will come to Heinz Field.

Roethlisberger will be given a battery of tests before he's cleared to return from his third concussion in the past three seasons. And once the doctors give their OK, Tomlin said he'll have no problem putting him back into the starting lineup.

"Usually my feelings are one and the same with theirs. They're going to err on the side of caution," Tomlin said. "There's never been a circumstance in the two years that I've been here where they've given the green light on somebody, I'm comfortable with it."

Roethlisberger suffered the concussion with less than two minutes remaining in the first half against the Browns.

The Steelers won the game to finish the regular season at 12-4, but a win or loss would not have affected their playoff seeding.

Tomlin, however, isn't second guessing his decision to play Roethlisberger.

"We don't have that luxury. We don't live in that world," Tomlin said. "I never second-guess the decisions that we make. We're thoughtful in the process of coming to those decisions and when we make them, we live with them."

After seeing him around the last couple of days, his teammates aren't concerned Roethlisberger will face any lingering effects from the concussion.

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"It's not a concern," defensive end Brett Keisel said. "The guy's a winner. He's going to come in and play good ball, I firmly believe that."

Odds and end zones

The Steelers will practice today and Thursday. The players will be off Friday, Saturday and Sunday. ... Instead of preparing for any of their three possible opponents this week, the Steelers are working on refining their own game during practices this week. ... Running back Willie Parker, safety Ryan Clark, linebackers James Harrison and James Farrior, defensive end Aaron Smith and wide receiver Hines Ward were among the players given the day off Tuesday.

Copyright Observer Publishing Co.

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12/31/2008

Leftwich a 'blessing' for the Steelers By Jim Wexell , For the Herald-Standard

PITTSBURGH - The offensive linemen like him because they know where he's going to be in the pocket. The receivers like him because he throws the ball where it's supposed to be, when it's supposed to be there. And the coach likes him because he's won games when he's had to. "Byron has been a blessing for us, he really has," Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said of backup quarterback Byron Leftwich. "That's one of the things you do think about when you look around and see that guy who has franchise quarterback experience, playoff starting quarterback experience. He's been the guy. Those shoes are comfortable to him. He's one of the guys when things happen and you look around and you're going to send him into the game, he doesn't have that faraway look. He's been there and done that. "I think this team has been very comfortable with him when he gets called upon. It's been a tremendous blessing to have him on this football team. Aside from what he does inside the white lines when he's called upon, he's very good as a teammate. He's very good at practice. He's very good in the locker room." Leftwich has been called upon twice this season with games on the line. The first time he was back home in Washington, D.C. and the Steelers were leading the Redskins, 10-6, at halftime. Leftwich stepped in and helped outscore the Redskins in the second half, 14-0. He completed 7-of-10 for 129 yards and a touchdown on a day when Ben Roethlisberger completed only 5-of-17 for 50 yards and an interception. Roethlisberger got hurt again this past Sunday and Leftwich entered the game late in the first half. The Steelers led the Browns 7-0 at the time, and the final score was 31-0. Leftwich completed 7-of-12 for 80 yards and scored on an 8-yard run. Roethlisberger suffered a concussion against the Browns, and the bye week affords him ample opportunity for a full recovery. But there are advantages to using Leftwich. "When you're pass-blocking, it's nice to know that your quarterback is going to be right where you expect him to be in the pocket," said left tackle Max Starks. In 36 pass attempts this season, Leftwich has taken only three sacks, or one every 12 pass attempts. Roethlisberger has gone down once every 10.2 pass attempts. "But on the other side," Starks said, "it's nice to have a mobile quarterback like Ben in there when the other team's blitzing up the middle." But Leftwich has better stats across the board compared to Roethlisberger: 8.42 to 7.04 yards per attempt; 5.6 to 3.6 touchdown pass percentage; 0.0 to 3.2 interception percentage; and 104.3 to 80.1 passer rating. "He's been a starter in this league for five years, so he knows what it takes," said wide receiver Santonio Holmes. Holmes was asked what receivers like about Leftwich, and he began his answer in the form of a comparison to Roethlisberger. "He gets the ball there a lot - real quick," Holmes said. "That's something that we have to adjust to. Playing with Ben for three years, it's very difficult to go from knowing how he throws the ball to pretty much always catching the fastball every time it comes out of Byron's hand." The ball does come out of Leftwich's hand at a high rate of speed. And he can throw it further than Roethlisberger, so there are pluses in Leftwich's favor at just about every turn. Those pluses could move to the front of Tomlin's mind if Roethlisberger is slow to recover from his concussion, but those close to Roethlisberger have confidence he'll return and play well. "I do," said defensive end Brett Keisel. "The guy's a winner. He's going to come in and play good ball. I firmly believe that." If not, there's certainly an alternative. NOTES - Ryan Clark said his shoulder separation is worse than his earlier separation this season, but he lifted weights Monday and

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expects to play in the January 3 (4:45 p.m.) playoff game. ... Willie Parker was asked if his "burst" is back. The running back who had his first 100-yard game (116) in six weeks said "somewhat." ... The Steelers will practice today and Thursday before calling it a week.

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December 31, 2008

Jets' G.M. Retains Power; Cowher Not Interested in Coaching Opening

By GREG BISHOP

Together, they ushered in a new era of Jets football, two whiz kids who became partners, confidants and

friends. In 2006, Mike Tannenbaum climbed to the position of general manager. He named Eric Mangini his

coach.

At the Jets’ news conference on Monday, the presence of one man and the absence of the other indicated the

direction the team was headed.

Tannenbaum sat with his elbows on a table, looking weary and sleep-deprived, put in the awkward position

of firing his friend. Mangini was in the building, if not the room, preparing for a permanent exit.

“I was definitely surprised,” tight end Chris Baker said. “They were close. They basically came up together. I

didn’t see it coming.”

As telling as the move the Jets made Monday in firing Mangini was the move they did not make.

Tannenbaum is safe, for now, which says everything the Jets will not about whom the team blamed for its

late-season collapse.

Tannenbaum’s position may have become even more secure late Tuesday night when the team announced

that Bill Cowher, the former Pittsburgh Steelers coach, was not interested in the Jets’ job. Cowher was likely

to have sought more control over personnel than Mangini had — a situation that could develop if the Jets

pursue other prominent candidates like Mike Holmgren, the departing Seattle coach, and Mike Shanahan,

who was fired by the Denver Broncos on Tuesday.

Still, it seems likely that Tannenbaum’s role in the organization will shape the search for Mangini’s successor.

“I’m very comfortable with Mike,” said Woody Johnson, the team’s owner. “Mike is another guy that works

around the clock, and he’s very smart about it.”

Of course, Johnson vouched for Mangini, too, at least until Chad Pennington and the Miami Dolphins beat

the Jets at Giants Stadium, securing the playoff berth the Jets had their eyes on when their record was 8-3. In

fact, in Tannenbaum’s official biography, Johnson is quoted as saying that the general manager and the fired

coach formed a “natural partnership.”

By retaining Tannenbaum and not Mangini, Johnson indicated that he felt the Jets were built properly,

including the uncharacteristic splurge on free agents this past off-season, but not necessarily coached that

way.

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Johnson bristled at the suggestion the Jets were a floundering franchise. He called Mangini’s firing a decisive

decision made to add to a solid foundation — built by two men who were once partners, only one of whom is

still employed by the team.

“Last year, we had an opportunity in free agency that we hadn’t had,” Johnson said. “We took advantage of it.

It was successful.”

The Jets’ off-season spree — complete with two major trades and $140 million spent on free agents, although

much of that money is not guaranteed — marked a major shift for a franchise often described as thrifty. It

also raised expectations.

In came quarterback Brett Favre and nose tackle Kris Jenkins, in separate trades, along with free agents like

left guard Alan Faneca, right tackle Damien Woody and linebacker Calvin Pace, among others.

Tannenbaum had constructed a team to win immediately. But he was not without his misfires, including

linebacker Vernon Gholston, the sixth overall pick in this year’s draft, who had 13 tackles for the season, and

Favre, who doomed the Jets with nine interceptions in his last five games.

Acquiring Favre in August fell to Tannenbaum, and although Mangini publicly supported the idea of bringing

him aboard, he also quietly expressed concerns. The Jets changed their offense to accommodate Favre, who

led the N.F.L. with 22 interceptions to match his total for touchdown passes.

Tannenbaum said that the decision to fire Mangini was not based on one transaction or one player. Johnson

repeatedly praised Favre and Tannenbaum.

“It was really hard,” Tannenbaum said of letting Mangini go. “One day, I hope we can remain close, personal

friends. I respect him. I like him. I admire him. I think the world of him.”

Besides the Broncos, the Cleveland Browns and the Detroit Lions also fired coaches this week. Kansas City,

St. Louis and Oakland could also have openings, leaving several teams to sift through a shallow pool of

applicants.

Johnson said that he did not believe one person could be both a general manager and head coach. “It’s too

much,” he said. “There’s no way that you can do it, and really do it, because you’re always relying on

somebody else. You may think that you have the power, but you can’t make those discerning decisions.

There’s just too much work to do and be a coach.”

Holmgren strongly disputed that statement two weeks ago, before his final home game in Seattle, when he

said people who say that are “usually out-of-work general managers.”

Whatever the duties of the new Jets coach, Cowher will not be performing them. He told the Jets on Tuesday

that he was not interested in the job, Bruce Speight, a team spokesman, said in an e-mail message. The Jets

said they did not discuss money or a change in organizational structure with Cowher.

By all accounts, Cowher remains happy working for CBS as an analyst and is willing to wait until 2010 to

return to coaching. He recently turned down the Browns, who, according to another Jets official, were to

interview Mangini.



The Jets’ growing list of potential replacements includes Bill Parcells, who can opt out of his contract in

Miami if the team changes ownership, which it is expected to do this off-season; Marty Schottenheimer,

whose son, Brian, is the Jets’ offensive coordinator; and Steve Spagnuolo, the Giants’ defensive coordinator.

Spagnuolo is expected to have an interview with the Jets this week.

Four of the 14 head coaches the Jets have hired had previous N.F.L. head coaching experience, including

their two most successful: Weeb Ewbank and Parcells. The team’s last three — Mangini, Herman Edwards

and Al Groh — were first-time N.F.L. head coaches.

Copyright 2008 The New York Times Company

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By Jarrett Bell, USA TODAY

With the NFL playoffs set to kick off, USA TODAY examines 12 questions that could shape the path to Super Bowl XLIII:

ROAD TO THE SUPER BOWL: Matchups, game information

1. Is Steve Smith the best clutch receiver?

While the Carolina Panthers' impressive backfield of DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart considers itself "Double Trouble," the go-to player in tough times is still the 5-9 wide receiver who calls himself "Little Playmaker." Without Smith's leaping, 39-yard catch on the game-winning field goal drive at the New Orleans Saints, the Panthers are likely in the wild-card round rather than recharging with a bye. Despite a two-game suspension to start the season, Smith ranked third in the NFL with 1,421 receiving yards on 78 catches — which equates to a career-high 18.2 yards a catch and a major headache for defenses needing to account for him while trying to stuff the league's No. 3 rushing game. Sunday's big catch was just the latest example of Smith's tendency to produce in the most critical situations. Chances are he has something left for January.

2. Are the Eagles flirting with destiny?

The New York Giants won last season's Super Bowl as the NFC's fifth seed. Three years ago, the Pittsburgh Steelers rolled to a title as a sixth seed. Now, the Philadelphia Eagles are thinking big after claiming a sixth seed. Philadelphia won four of its last five games, since Donovan McNabb was benched at the Baltimore Ravens. Besides the Giants, the Eagles are the only team in the playoffs with top-10 units on both offense and defense. While much hinges on McNabb, coaches have relied more on the 22nd-ranked rushing game in recent weeks. After calling more passes than rushes in their first 11 games, the Eagles have more rushing attempts than passes in three of the last five outings.

3. Will LaDainian Tomlinson win a Super Bowl?

The miles are adding up for the San Diego Chargers' star running back, whose eighth NFL season has been his most physically challenging. Tomlinson, whose 292 rushes and 1,110 yards are career lows, started the season with a toe injury. He left Sunday night's win against the Denver Broncos with three TDs — and a groin injury that raises concern about his playoff readiness. Tomlinson expects to play in the opener against the Indianapolis Colts. But the latest injury is a reminder of how Tomlinson sat idle for all but a handful of plays in the AFC title game at the New England Patriots last January because of a sprained knee. Even so, the resilient Chargers — the first team to make the playoffs after starting 4-8 — seem less dependent on L.T. than they did in the past. No team in the playoff field scored more points in 2008 than San Diego (439), an achievement that vouches for the growth of quarterback Philip Rivers, who carried the offense this season.

4. What trick plays might the Dolphins have?

In becoming the second team in NFL history to post a 10-game improvement from the previous season, the Miami Dolphins added spice to their remarkable rise with the use of their unpredictable "Wildcat" formation. On 91 Wildcat snaps, Miami averaged 6.4 yards a play and scored eight TDs. This was essential production for a team that scored the fewest points (345) of any team in the playoff field. Still, new tricks might be needed to outfox Baltimore's defense Sunday. In a Week 7 game at Miami, Baltimore allowed a grand total of 4 yards on five Wildcat snaps.

5. Is anybody hotter than Peyton Manning?

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Two months ago, the Colts quarterback was in the midst of arguably his worst start to a season since his rookie year — a lingering effect from offseason knee surgery. His timing, rhythm, balance and leg strength were out of whack as Indianapolis stumbled to a 3-4 start. Now the Colts have an NFL-long nine-game winning streak and Manning is expected to win a record-tying third MVP Award. An ultimate test comes at San Diego and its 3-4 defense. Manning threw a career-high six interceptions at San Diego last year. And besides stopping the Colts' bid for a perfect season in 2005, the Chargers knocked Indianapolis out of last season's playoffs.

6. Is Edgerrin James the secret weapon?

The Arizona Cardinals are the fifth team in league history to field three 1,000-yard targets (Anquan Boldin, Larry Fitzgerald and Steve Breaston) in a season. But being one-dimensional is a tough ticket in January. To advance deep, Arizona will need to run the football with authority at some point — for a tough yard on third-and-short, to milk the clock or to deal with outdoor elements. That's where James, who lost his starting job to rookie Tim Hightower (2.8 yards a carry) in midseason, might play a key role. The Cardinals had three 100-yard rushing games this season, and two came from James. After riding the bench for much of the season and logging a career-low 133 rushes, his legs should be fresh enough.

7. Have the Giants lost too much momentum?

After rolling to an 11-1 start, the Giants lost three of their final four games. That's no reason to panic. The Giants bring the NFL's No. 1 rushing game and a seventh-ranked defense. And with a top seed secured, Tom Coughlin rested key starters such as Eli Manning and bread-and-butter back Brandon Jacobs for much if not all of the regular-season finale. Still, there is no comfort zone. The Giants have been beatable of late. They needed a furious second-half rally and overtime to beat Carolina in Week 16, and the offense was dreadful in back-to-back losses to the Eagles and Dallas Cowboys. Even with Jacobs back in the flow, the residual effect of the Plaxico Burress self-inflicted gunshot wound lingers. Domenik Hixon doesn't force the double coverage that Burress consistently drew, allowing another defender key on the running game. The Giants embraced their underdog status during the last postseason. To become the fourth repeat champion in 16 years, they are looking to avoid upset traps.

8. Can the Ravens win with a rookie QB?

Defense has been the Ravens' calling card for years. And with Ray Lewis, ballhawking safety Ed Reed and creative coordinator Rex Ryan in tow, that identity hasn't changed under first-year coach John Harbaugh. Baltimore led the league with 34 takeaways. Still, there's more playoff mettle to prove with the offense guided by a rookie quarterback in Joe Flacco. The Atlanta Falcons can relate. Flacco and Atlanta's Matt Ryan are the first rookie quarterbacks in NFL history to start all 16 games and lead their teams to the playoffs. But since 1970, rookie quarterbacks are 2-6 in playoff games. Support from strong rushing attacks help. Baltimore and Atlanta ranked 1-2 for rushing attempts (592 and 560) and tied for 29th with 27.1 passing attempts a game. Even so, every quarterback is required to make a few clutch throws. In Flacco's case, he's coming off a season-high 297-yard game against the Jacksonville Jaguars accented by five completions of at least 20 yards. The NFL's fourth-ranked rushing game and No. 2 defense offer added value.

9. Will Ben Roethlisberger's concussion hurt the Steelers offense?

While carted out of Heinz Field on Sunday strapped to a stretcher, the Steelers quarterback flashed a thumbs-up. Tests were negative, and Roethlisberger checked out of the hospital without staying overnight. Yet a typical concern is that a player is more susceptible to subsequent concussions. And that's something to think about, considering the spotty protection that contributed to Roethlisberger taking 46 sacks this season, more than any other playoff-bound quarterback. Add the inconsistency of a 23rd-ranked rushing game to the mix and the best answers might exist with a No. 1 defense that has allowed a league-low 13.9 points a game.

10. Is Atlanta's defense up to the task of a championship run?

Here's a pattern that has served the Falcons well in their amazing turnaround under first-year coach Mike Smith and rookie quarterback Matt Ryan: When Atlanta has scored first this season, it is 11-0. When its opponent scores first, Atlanta is 0-5. Fast starts undoubtedly take pressure off a 24th-ranked defense that didn't have a Pro Bowler. Now the first postseason task is a tough matchup against the Cardinals' explosive offense. No defense enters the playoffs with fewer takeaways than Atlanta's unit (18). Then again, the Falcons have the league's No. 2-ranked rushing attack, propelled by the 1-2 backfield punch of Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood. And that can go far in controlling the clock and keeping the opposing offense off the field.

11. Should the Titans feel secure as a top seed?

Being a No. 1 seed is never a sure ticket to the Super Bowl — especially in the AFC. Never mind the much-deserved perk of home-field advantage. In playoffs dating to the 1992 season, the top seed in the AFC has advanced to the Super Bowl five times. The top-seeded Patriots advanced to the Super Bowl last season, but in the three previous seasons San Diego, Indianapolis and Pittsburgh all fell as the AFC's top seed. When the Tennessee Titans last earned the No. 1 seed for the 2000 season, they were upset by the Ravens. It's an intriguing bit of recent history worth watching — and worth a warning to the Titans, whose 10-game streak to start the season as the league's last unbeaten team was snapped with a loss at home.



Copyright 2008 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.

12. Why is Pat Williams crucial to the Vikings' chances?

After missing two games with a broken shoulder, Minnesota Vikings Pro Bowl defensive tackle Pat Williams hopes to return for the playoff opener. The stout, 317-pounder is the best run-stuffer on arguably the NFL's best defensive line. He and D-tackle mate Kevin Williams (no relation) made headlines recently for suing the NFL in a pending case over the merits of their since-tabled suspensions for using banned weight-loss supplements. They form the heart of the No. 1-ranked run defense (76.9 yards a game). And with running the football traditionally increased in the playoffs, the Vikings need the pattern to continue — which causes matchup issues that benefit pass-rusher Jared Allen (14½ sacks). Find this article at: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/2008-12-30-playoff-questions_N.htm

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DENVER — He was known as a genius, a mastermind and, yes, a Super Bowl champion. Shockingly, though, Mike Shanahan has a new title: Unemployed coach.

Shanahan became the latest and most stunning victim of the NFL coaching purge, fired Tuesday by the Denver Broncos after a late-season collapse knocked the team out of the playoffs for the third straight year.

COACHING CAROUSEL: Who's out around the league

Shanahan became the fourth coach to be fired this week, joining Eric Mangini, Rod Marinelli and Romeo Crennel, after going 24-24 over the last three seasons. That included three straight losses this year that turned a three-game division lead to an 8-8 record.

"After giving this careful consideration, I have concluded that a change in our football operations is in the best interests of the Denver Broncos," owner Pat Bowlen said.

Bowlen had been steadfastly loyal to Shanahan, rewarding the coach who brought the long-awaited Super Bowl title to Denver with what seemed like carte blanche for life.

But Denver remained stuck on only one postseason victory since John Elway retired in 1999 following back-to-back championships. Shanahan finishes at 146-91 over 14 seasons in Denver, including playoffs; his final game was an unseemly 52-21 loss to San Diego with the division title on the line.

"I'm very shocked, extremely shocked," said rookie Spencer Larsen, who played fullback and linebacker this year. "I don't think any of us saw this coming."

Quarterback Jay Cutler certainly didn't.

"I was talking to Mike yesterday about personnel moves," he said in an interview on KCNC-TV in Denver. "I'm as shocked as anybody else. I think it's the wrong move."

For any other coach, on any other team, this kind of thing wouldn't have come as such a surprise, considering the season that just ended.

It included a historic collapse with Denver becoming the first team since divisional play started in 1967 to blow a three-game lead with three games left.

The Broncos' defense gave up 448 points, third worst in the NFL, including 112 during the three-game collapse at the end. It was ranked 29th in yards allowed and tied for last in the NFL with a minus-17 turnover margin.

Who might be able to turn it around?

Because Shanahan's job had seemed so secure, there hasn't been much speculation. Now, all the usual suspects will surely surface, both on the coaching and personnel sides: Bill Cowher, Scott Pioli, Jim Fassel. Shanahan's best assistant over the years, Gary Kubiak, is under contract with the Texans.

"I don't know if necessarily they'll find a better football coach," said linebacker Bill Romanowski, a key player on the Super Bowl teams.

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"Mike is an outstanding football coach, one of the better coaches I had, if not the best. But players start to get tired of the same routines, the same kind of play calling. A new fresh coat of paint sometimes does a whole lot of good."

Messages left on Elway's cellphone by the Associated Press were not immediately returned.

Bowlen and Shanahan were scheduled to hold news conferences Wednesday. Shanahan had three years left on his contract, worth about $20 million.

It will be interesting to see if Bowlen wants a change in the way the organization is run. Over the past several years, the most successful teams have moved away from the once-popular structure of having a coach-slash-GM in charge of everything.

In Denver, Shanahan ran everything and as things went downhill, he relieved defensive coordinators — Greg Robinson, Ray Rhodes, Larry Coyer and Jim Bates — in almost revolving-door fashion.

This year, as the defense floundered, it became obvious it wasn't just a coaching problem. It was an issue of talent on the field, and in Denver, the buck stopped with Shanahan.

He focused on defense in 2007, using two of his four picks for defensive linemen Jarvis Moss and Tim Crowder, neither of whom have been much of a factor. Also of late, he wasted a third-round pick on Maurice Clarett (2005), spent millions on running back bust Travis Henry (2007), hardly got anything from Boss Bailey, Niko Koutouvides and Dewayne Robertson (2008).

Yet even when the talent wasn't there, he usually fielded a competitive team. Decades of solid sellouts and the full confidence of his owner made him almost impervious to criticism. Even after blowout losses, he was wont to acknowledge, at least publicly, deficiencies in his coaching or management style.

He was known — first affectionately, then more derisively — as "The Mastermind" during his tenure with the Broncos. And despite his poor finish in Denver, Shanahan shouldn't have much trouble getting another job if he's interested — and willing to part with the 35,000-square-foot house he's building in a fancy part of Denver.

He earned the reputation honestly, returning to lead the Broncos a few years after a short, unsuccessful stint with the Oakland Raiders, where he was fired by Al Davis in a contentious parting that still isn't fully resolved. (Shanahan claims he's owed $250,000).

Shanahan became a coaching star as a coordinator and confidant of Elway's while the Broncos were being coached by Dan Reeves. But Reeves ended up firing Shanahan, accusing him of insubordination for supposedly conspiring with Elway to hatch game plans behind the head coach's back.

That made for a great subplot for the Super Bowl 10 years ago, when Denver met Reeves and the Falcons, for what turned out to be the last great moment for a franchise that Shanahan took to the top.

Denver's two Super Bowl victories came behind the running of Terrell Davis and the brilliance of Elway, but Shanahan pulled the strings and finally helped deliver the title to a city that had been through four painful Super Bowl losses, three with Elway at the helm.

Shanahan was regarded as a coaching genius when it came to creating mismatches on the field, confusing defenses by using different personnel groupings to run the same set of plays, series after series and game after game.

Davis. Olandis Gary. Reuben Droughns. Clinton Portis. Tatum Bell. They all ran for 1,000 yards for the Broncos and the basic thought was that anyone could do it in Shanahan's offense.

But after Elway retired, it was never quite the same.

His replacement, Brian Griese, never panned out. Jake Plummer got the Broncos to the AFC title game in 2005, but Denver was blown out by Pittsburgh. Shanahan drafted Cutler the next year — an indication he was blowing up a team that had come so close a year before.

Cutler, along with receivers Brandon Marshall and Eddie Royal, make up the core of what could be a very promising offense in years to come. But the defense Shanahan assembled was wretched — allowing more than 400 points over the past two seasons — and the Broncos hardly looked like contenders.

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Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Bills' Jauron to keep job through 2009 Associated Press BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Bills coach Dick Jauron will return next season after team owner Ralph Wilson decided a shake up wasn't necessary despite a third consecutive 7-9 finish that left unhappy fans demanding change.

While acknowledging the fans' dissatisfaction, Wilson said the "team played hard all year long and there are many positives to build on." The Bills owner announced he had decided to retain Jauron and the entire coaching staff after meeting with the coach Tuesday at Wilson's home in suburban Detroit.

"I believe that this team, at this time, is better served by continuity in the coaching staff rather than a disruptive overhaul," Wilson said in a three-paragraph statement released by the team.

Wilson warned that he will not be complacent in seeking improvements, saying in his discussions he identified several issues that need to be addressed.

Wilson didn't offer details, but noted his unhappiness with a sputtering offense that was limited to scoring two field goals in its three final home games -- including a 13-0 season-ending loss to New England last weekend and a 16-3 loss to Miami in a Bills home game played at Toronto on Dec. 7.

Despite finishing with the same record as the 2007 team, the Bills showed improvement on both sides of the ball. In quarterback Trent Edwards' first season as starter, the offense scored 10 more touchdowns and gained 4,882 yards -- the most since 2002. On defense, the unit allowed nearly 600 fewer yards than last year and in seven games held opponents to 16 or fewer points.

Bills defensive end and co-captain Chris Kelsay said he is "ecstatic" that Jauron is still the coach.

"I think I can speak on behalf of our entire team that that's what we wanted to see happen," Kelsay said. "To see the team move forward without him, I think would've been a terrible thing, really."

Wilson did not say whether Jauron received a contract extension beyond next season. Jauron had completed his initial three-year contract after this season, and kept his job despite the team losing eight of its final 10 games after a 5-1 start.

The decision to retain Jauron came with input from chief operating officer Russ Brandon and vice president and chief scout Tom Modrak, who will be receiving a larger say in the team's football-related decisions.

Jauron did not immediately return a phone message left for him by The Associated Press.

He becomes the first Bills coach to reach his fourth season since Pro Football Hall-of-Famer Marv Levy retired following the 1997 season.

Wade Phillips lasted three years before he was fired following the 2000 season. Gregg Williams wasn't

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rehired after three seasons. Mike Mularkey lasted two years before he resigned suddenly during a front-office upheaval following the 2005 season.

Continuity was important to Kelsay, who noted Jauron is his third head coach in six seasons in Buffalo.

"It's like starting from square one again, so we wouldn't have the growth that we've had the last couple of years," Kelsay said. "We can continue on from here and move forward and continue to improve."

Wilson said he is confident the Bills are improving and said he has been encouraged by Edwards' development.

Jauron does have plenty of work to do in turning around a team that has missed the playoffs for nine straight years and faded badly after its hot start. The Bills went 0-6 against their AFC East rivals.

Jauron was the target of heavy criticism for the Bills meltdown, and was particularly faulted for the team's numerous on-field blunders. The Bills earned a reputation for botching scoring opportunities this season, including a blown chance at a field goal before time ran out in the first half against New England.

It was Levy's decision to hire Jauron in his first act as general manager after being lured out of retirement to succeed team president Tom Donahoe, who was fired following the 2005 season. Levy, a Harvard graduate, saw similarities in the Yale-educated Jauron, who earned a second shot at being a head coach after a five-year stint with the Chicago Bears, which ended with his dismissal following the 2003 season.

Levy stepped down following the 2007 season, citing a lack of interest in keeping a front-office job, while also expressing confidence that he had helped steer the Bills in the right direction.

With Chicago, Jauron went 35-46, including a playoff loss, and was the NFL's 2001 coach of the year following a 13-3 finish. He also went 1-4 as an interim coach in Detroit, closing out the 2005 season after Steve Mariucci's dismissal.

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Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Singletary wants to go in 'different direction' Associated Press SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Mike Martz, the headstrong coach who took St. Louis to the 2002 Super Bowl, was fired Tuesday after one season as the San Francisco 49ers' offensive coordinator.

San Francisco coach Mike Singletary announced Martz's third firing in less than three calendar years following an afternoon meeting with the veteran offensive mastermind.

This parting had long been expected, and it wasn't nearly as acrimonious as Martz's last two dismissals in St. Louis and Detroit. Singletary and Martz worked together fairly well for nine games after Singletary's midseason promotion, but the two men clearly have different philosophies of offense.

"I wish him nothing but the best," Martz said of Singletary, adding that the Hall of Fame linebacker will be "an outstanding head coach."

"I am not what he is looking for offensively," Martz said. "I understand that. This is just a part of professional sports."

Martz's dismissal means the 49ers are looking for their seventh offensive coordinator in seven years -- but at least Martz left something on which the new coach can build.

San Francisco's offense was the NFL's lowest-ranked in two of the previous three seasons, but Martz raised the group to competence -- although Singletary's decision to promote quarterback Shaun Hill past J.T. O'Sullivan was a major factor as well.

Singletary, who famously played for the Chicago Bears under Mike Ditka, wants the 49ers to run more of a ground-based, smash-mouth offense instead of Martz's sophisticated passing schemes. San Francisco general manager Scot McCloughan shares Singletary's beliefs, and Martz apparently never developed a relationship with McCloughan during his year in town.

"After an evaluation period, I felt it was best to go in a different direction," Singletary said. "This was not an easy decision because I appreciate Mike Martz, and I enjoyed working with him. He is a true professional, and I wish him the best in the future. I do recognize the need for a long-term solution on the offensive side of the ball."

The 49ers scored 339 points this season after managing just 219 last year, also racking up nearly 74 more offensive yards per game. San Francisco's 35 turnovers were nearly the same number as last season, and Martz's quarterbacks were sacked 55 times, a frequent flaw in his offenses.

Martz chose O'Sullivan, a veteran backup on his eighth NFL team, as his starting quarterback under head coach Mike Nolan at the start of the season. Singletary benched the turnover-prone O'Sullivan midway through his first game as head coach, and Hill led the 49ers to five wins in their final seven games for a 7-9 finish -- matching their best record since they last made the playoffs after the 2002 season.

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Although Martz has a reputation as a pass-happy play-caller, he also got a third consecutive 1,000-yard rushing season out of running back Frank Gore, who praised Martz on Sunday. Isaac Bruce, the longtime Rams receiver who signed with the 49ers in part because of his old coach's presence, had 835 yards receiving, the most by any 49ers receiver since Terrell Owens in 2003.

The 57-year-old Martz coached the Rams from 2000-2005, taking a medical leave after five games in his final season because of heart problems.

He led the Rams to the 2002 Super Bowl after being the offensive coordinator of the St. Louis team that won the 2000 title with the "Greatest Show on Turf."

It featured Kurt Warner at quarterback, Marshall Faulk at running back, and Bruce and Torry Holt in a high-scoring offense that averaged almost 33 points a game in 1999 and 31 points two years later.

Martz was the offensive coordinator of the Lions in 2006-2007, but was fired as the scapegoat for Detroit's late-season collapse last year.

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