The Associated Press

Ex-Bengals quarterback Turk Schonert is going from coaching his 12-year-old son's Pop Warner football team to coaching New York's quarterbacks.

His hiring reunites him with Giants coach Jim Fassel, who was Stanford's offensive coordinator when Schonert was the team's QB and led the nation in passing efficiency in 1979.

"He's a product of a system I'm a product of - the Bill Walsh system. Turk understands the fundamentals of the quarterback position," Fassel said.

Schonert played 10 NFL seasons, including seven with Cincinnati. His last NFL post was as quarterbacks coach with Carolina in 2001.

TITANS: Kicker Joe Nedney, who hyperextended his right knee during the AFC title game, won't need surgery.

Nedney, who is left-footed, was hurt trying to make a tackle in Tennessee's 41-24 loss to Oakland Sunday. He hopes to begin a conditioning program in April.

FALCONS: Linebacker Chris Draft signed a four-year deal with Atlanta. He moved into the starting lineup when John Holocek broke his right arm in Week 12, and finished with a career-high 97 tackles, 31/2 sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles.

49ERS: The team received permission to interview Philadelphia defensive coordinator Jim Johnson and offensive coordinator Brad Childress, as well as New England defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel as possible successors to head coach Steve Mariucci, who was fired last week.

Return to Bengals front page...