Jacksonville Jaguars 01/03/2007 8:34 AMThe Florida Times-Union reports in the first move of what is likely to be an offseason featuring sweeping changes, Jaguars HC Jack Del Rio revamped his coaching staff Tuesday when he fired four assistant coaches and didn't renew the contract of a fifth. After an 8-8 season, Del Rio fired three members of the offensive staff - coordinator Carl Smith, wide receivers coach Steve Walters and quarterbacks coach Ken Anderson. He also fired special-teams coordinator Pete Rodriguez and didn't renew the contract of Rodriguez's assistant, Mark Michaels. Del Rio has made changes in his coaching staff at the end of each of his four seasons in Jacksonville.Read more
Houston Texans 01/03/2007 8:28 AMThe Houston Chronicle reports Texans rookie OT Charles Spencer has a metal plate and about eight screws in his knee. The fracture that ended his season after just two starts has healed. That doesn't mean the Texans will have their starting left offensive tackle back any time soon, though. In fact, what appeared to be a bright NFL future for Spencer is now in question because of cartilage around his knee that was damaged as a result of the injury. "It's certainly an injury that threatens a guy's career, especially a guy like Spencer," said Dr. Walter Lowe, the team physician who performed Spencer's surgery Sept. 18. Among the 17 players who landed on injured reserve this season, Spencer has the injury â a fracture of the tibial plateau â that most concerns the Texans. Most fractures of the tibial plateau aren't serious, but Spencer's is unique in the way it occurred.Read more
Detroit Lions 01/03/2007 8:25 AMThe Detroit Free Press reports Matt Millen will remain president of the Lions, even though they have lost 72 games since he took over in 2001. The NFL record for losses in a six-year period is 74. Millen won't quit, and owner William Clay Ford supports him. "Mr. Ford and I, we talk a bunch," Millen said Tuesday. "We were talking all season long. ... It never even got to anything other than just keep on doing what we're doing." The news raises a number of questions.Read more
Indianapolis Colts 01/03/2007 8:23 AMThe Indianapolis Star reports heavy-hitting Indianapolis Colts S Bob Sanders had not played in six weeks and practiced only a couple of times when he came off the injury list from a knee injury for a Nov. 5 game at New England. His impact was felt all over the field. Sanders contributed 10 tackles and an interception at the Colts 3-yard line to a 27-20 Indianapolis victory. That's the kind of boost the Colts hope for Saturday, when Kansas City will visit the RCA Dome for an AFC wild-card playoff game. Following a setback, Sanders returned to practice Tuesday. Barring a further snag, he plans to play against the Chiefs.Read more
