Atlanta Falcons 01/16/2008 8:07 AMThe Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports the Falcons have interviewed former Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator Rex Ryan a second time for their vacant head coaching job and scheduled a second interview for Dallas offensive coordinator Jason Garrett, according to people familiar with the situation. Ryan interviewed Monday with newly hired GM Thomas Dimitroff. It was the first time Ryan met with Dimitroff, and the interview took place in Atlanta. Ryan, who was fired by the Ravens ââ¬â along with their entire coaching staff ââ¬â previously had interviewed with Falcons owner Arthur Blank, president Rich McKay and other team officials.Read more
Miami Dolphins 01/16/2008 8:04 AMThe Palm Beach Post reports new GM Jeff Ireland renewed the Dolphins' courtship of Tony Sparano on Tuesday, beginning with a flight to Dallas to retrieve the Cowboys assistant head coach and ending with dinner at an upscale Fort Lauderdale restaurant with owner Wayne Huizenga. The wining and dining over, the Dolphins intend to put Sparano through the paces today. Discussions will resume this morning, but they might be a formality at this point. Buzz around the league indicated a news conference was imminent, perhaps as soon as today.Read more
Cincinnati Bengals 01/16/2008 8:02 AMThe Dayton Daily News reports the Bengals' coaching staff just got a breath of fresh air with the hiring of Mike Zimmer as defensive coordinator on Tuesday. Known for his fiery, tough, emotional style, Zimmer will attempt to bring the same kind of success to the Bengals that he experienced as the Dallas Cowboys' coordinator from 2000-06. Zimmer, who takes over for the fired Chuck Bresnahan, spent the 2007 season with Atlanta. But he was set free to pursue other opportunities after a miserable 4-12 season in which former Falcons head coach Bobby Petrino quit with three games remaining.Read more
Carolina Panthers 01/14/2008 8:21 AMThe Charlotte Observer reports the Carolina Panthers' running game was a source of satisfaction and frustration during the 2007 season. Satisfaction, because when Carolina's rushing attack clicked, it dominated -- and brought results. The Panthers were 6-2 in the eight games in which they topped 100 yards, and they totaled 166 or more in five. They won each of those games. Frustration, in that the Panthers failed to gain 100 yards on the ground in half of their games. Since an effective running game is a key part of coach John Fox's scheme, Carolina was 1-7 in those punchless games.Read more
