Tuesday, December 30, 2003
Wannstedt relieved of GM role
Jauron, Williams, McGinnis are out
The Associated Press
DAVIE, Fla. - Miami Dolphins coach Dave Wannstedt was given a two-year contract extension Monday, but will lose control over player personnel decisions.
After his team missed the playoffs for the second straight year, despite a 10-6 record, Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga decided to keep Wannstedt and hire a general manager to handle roster decisions.
"This reorganization will allow the new general manager to devote all of his attention to improving the talent on our roster," Huizenga said in a statement, "and at the same time it will give coach Wannstedt and his staff the ability to focus even more on preparing the team to play every week."
BEARS: Dick Jauron's five-year run as coach ended when general manager Jerry Angelo fired him.
Jauron, the NFL coach of the year two seasons ago, finished with four losing seasons in five years and a 35-46 overall record, including one playoff loss. He had one year left on his contract.
BILLS: Gregg Williams is out as coach after missing the playoffs in three straight seasons.
In a meeting Monday afternoon, team president Tom Donahoe told Williams his contract won't be renewed.
Williams went 17-31, never finishing a season above .500. The Bills were 6-10 this season.
CARDINALS: Coach Dave McGinnis was fired after a 4-12 season that ended with a stunning victory to keep Minnesota out of the playoffs.
McGinnis, who had one year left on his contract, was 16-32 in three full seasons as head coach. He also went 1-8 as interim coach after Vince Tobin was fired during the 2000 season.
TITANS: Quarterback Steve McNair is feeling better than he has in five weeks and should practice this week, coach Jeff Fisher said Monday.
The Titans had Monday off because they visit Baltimore (10-6) Saturday in an AFC wild-card game.
"Wednesday will be our target day for Steve to get on the practice field," Fisher said.
BRONCOS: Wide receiver Ed McCaffrey underwent tests Monday after suffering his second concussion in three weeks. The test results probably wouldn't come back for a few days. The Broncos play at Indianapolis on Sunday.
RAMS: St. Louis defensive coordinator Lovie Smith will talk with the New York Giants about their vacant head coaching job today.
PACKERS: Green Bay fans want to thank the person who made the team's playoff run possible - Arizona wide receiver Nathan Poole - and even the mayor is joining in with an invitation to Sunday's playoff game.
Poole caught the game-winning touchdown pass as time ran out in Arizona on Sunday to defeat the Minnesota Vikings 18-17. The Vikings' loss gave the Packers the NFC North title.
Poole will be celebrated this weekend, when he and his wife travel to Green Bay to attend the Packers' game Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks with Mayor Jim Schmitt.
Playoff schedule
Wild-card
Saturday, Jan. 3
Tennessee at Baltimore, 4:30 p.m. (ABC).
Dallas at Carolina, 8 p.m. (ABC).
Sunday, Jan. 4
Seattle at Green Bay,
1 p.m. (FOX).
Denver at Indianapolis, 4:30 p.m. (CBS).
Divisional
Saturday, Jan. 10
NFC, 4:30 p.m. (FOX).
AFC, 8:15 p.m. (CBS).
Sunday, Jan. 11
AFC, 1 p.m. (CBS).
NFC, 4:45 p.m. (FOX).
Conference
championships
Sunday, Jan. 18
AFC Game, 3 p.m. (CBS).
NFC Game, 6:45 p.m. (FOX).
Super Bowl
Sunday, Feb. 1
Super Bowl at Houston, 6:25 p.m. (CBS).
Super Bowl odds
| | |
| Team | Odds | Opening |
| | |
| New England | 3-1 | 20-1 |
| | |
| Philadelphia | 4-1 | 5-1 |
| | |
| Kansas City | 9-2 | 30-1 |
| | |
| St. Louis | 5-1 | 8-1 |
| | |
| Indianapolis | 6-1 | 25-1 |
| | |
| Tennessee | 6-1 | 17-1 |
| | |
| Green Bay | 8-1 | 16-1 |
| | |
| Baltimore | 11-1 | 60-1 |
| | |
| Denver | 11-1 | 17-1 |
| | |
| Carolina | 16-1 | 90-1 |
| | |
| Dallas | 20-1 | 60-1 |
| | |
| Seattle | 30-1 | 90-1 |
BENGALS YEAR-END REVIEW
Lewis not satisfied, but says foundation is solid
Teammate: 'Good riddance,' Corey
The envelope please ...
2003 season recap
2003 storylines
Lewis plans no changes, credits his co-workers
17th pick could bolster defense
Major free agent acquisitions pay off in starting lineup
Johnson a hot property
Kitna wants to stay Bengal
Rookie class makes immediate contributions
Season stats
MORE FOOTBALL HEADLINES
Chaos Theory has nothing on the NFL
Browns' Davis stays, but three coaches fired
Wannstedt relieved of GM role
Fun starting for Buckeyes' tight end
Underwood recovers from bum thumb
Alamo: Nebraska 17, Mich. St. 3
The other Rose Bowl team wants respect
REDS
Reds expect Lidle to be a rotation anchor
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Field making most of his shot
Muskies want to get on a roll now
No. 2 Duke thumps Davidson
Women: UC falls to No. 23 Michigan State
MORE SPORTS HEADLINES
Sports digest
Local hockey update
Sports on TV, radio
Prep sports results, schedules
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