Pro Football
Shanahan Fired After Broncos' Fall
TBO.com
The Associated Press
Published: December 31, 2008
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.The Associated Press
Published: December 31, 2008
Shanahan became the latest and most stunning victim of the NFL coaching purge, fired Tuesday by the Broncos after a late-season collapse knocked the team out of the playoffs for a third straight year.
Shanahan went 24-24 over the past three seasons, including three straight 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, but Denver remained stuck on 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 as shocked as anybody else," starting quarterback Jay Cutler said in an interview with KCNC-TV in Denver. "I think it's the wrong move."
Ryan Named Top Offensive Rookie
Matt Ryan is more than the face of the sensational turnaround by the Atlanta Falcons. He also is the best member of a superb rookie crop, earning The Associated Press 2008 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award Tuesday.
The quarterback from Boston College, selected third overall in April's draft, was a landslide winner in balloting by a nationwide panel of 50 sports writers and broadcasters who cover the league.
"I'm certainly flattered," Ryan said. "There's a number of guys who had great rookie seasons this year, so to even be mentioned in that light is nice. It's certainly a great honor, and I think it speaks to what we did as a team this year."
Ryan got 44 votes, far in front of Titans running back Chris Johnson with three. Broncos tackle Ryan Clady had two and Bears running back Matt Forte got one.
BILLS: Coach Dick Jauron will return next season, team owner Ralph Wilson said.
Though acknowledging the dissatisfaction of the team's fans after a third consecutive 7-9 season, Wilson elected to retain Jauron and the entire coaching staff, believing the team is "better served by continuity in the coaching staff rather than a disruptive overhaul."
49ERS: Mike Martz, who took St. Louis to the 2002 Super Bowl, was fired as 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.
The parting had been expected. Singletary and Martz worked together fairly well for nine games after Singletary's midseason promotion, but the men have different philosophies of offense.
JETS: Bill Cowher is out of the running for the vacant coaching job.
"After reaching out to Coach Cowher's representatives, we were informed tonight that he is not a candidate for the position," Jets spokesman Bruce Speight said Tuesday night.
Material items such as structure, money and length of contract were never discussed, according to a person familiar with the conversations who requested anonymity.
In other Jets news, ESPN reported that quarterback Brett Favre has a torn biceps tendon in his right arm that will not need major surgery.
The network reported that Favre would need arthroscopic surgery to repair the injury, but could play without having an operation.
BROWNS: The team scheduled an interview with fired Jets coach Eric Mangini, a person with knowledge of the meeting told The Associated Press.
Owner Randy Lerner also set up an interview for today with Scott Pioli, New England's vice president of player personnel.
TEXANS: The team fired defensive coordinator Richard Smith, secondary coach Jon Hoke and defensive line coach Jethro Franklin.
PRO BOWL: The NFL confirmed that next season's Pro Bowl will be played in Miami's Dolphin Stadium a week before the Super Bowl is played there.
The Miami game will be Jan. 31, 2010, at 8 p.m., and will be televised by ESPN.