Cleveland Browns 01/04/2007 9:50 AMThe Dayton Daily News reports injuries and inexperience hurt the Browns this season, but a lack of discipline also contributed to holding their win total to four. This deficiency was embodied off the field by second-year WR Braylon Edwards, who made a habit of being late for meetings and saying things he later regretted. The general lack of discipline was evident on the field, too. Consider the first play of the season when QB Charlie Frye threw a long touchdown pass to Edwards against the New Orleans Saints. New left tackle Kevin Shaffer was caught holding, and it didn't count.Read more
Detroit Lions 01/03/2007 1:59 PMAP reports the Detroit Lions didn't have to look far for their new defensive coordinator. The team introduced coach Rod Marinelli's son-in-law, Joe Barry, on Wednesday. Marinelli was quick to say the move had little to do with family ties. "If we didn't get him, he'd be a defensive coordinator some other place," he said. "I hired the best guy to coach the defense." Barry, the former linebackers coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, takes over for Donnie Henderson, who was fired Tuesday, two days after the team finished a 3-13 season.Read more
Miami Dolphins 01/03/2007 1:56 PMESPN.com reports Nick Saban has accepted an offer from Alabama, leaving the Miami Dolphins two weeks after declaring "I'm not going to be the Alabama coach." Saban's agreement with Alabama is for eight years and a guaranteed $32 million, according to ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli. Saban can earn an additional $700,000 to $800,000 annually in bowl-game bonuses. Saban told team owner Wayne Huizenga of his decision in a face-to-face meeting Wednesday morning. Saban then informed all of his coaches by speakerphone that he was leaving the franchise to coach Alabama.Read more
Baltimore Ravens 01/03/2007 11:07 AMSeniorBowl.com reports fans watching Wednesdayâs Sugar Bowl battle between LSU and Notre Dame will see plenty of future Senior Bowlers, as nine members of the 2007 roster will be in action during the contest. Bowl officials announced on Wednesday the four LSU players who will participate in this yearâs game -- All-SEC wide receivers Dwayne Bowe and Craig Davis, All-American DB LaRon Landry and DE Chase Pittman.Read more
