FOOTBALL NEWS

• Foes sigh when Scifres booms punts for Chargers 1/8/2009, 7:37 p.m. EST
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Peyton Manning's biggest nemesis in Saturday night's wild-card loss to the Chargers wasn't a defender eager to pound him into the ground or pick off a pass.

• Giants have all hands on deck for Eagles 1/8/2009, 6:37 p.m. EST
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — The New York Giants had everyone on the roster practice on Thursday for this weekend's NFC semifinal against the Philadelphia Eagles, the first time in more than three months no one has been sidelined by an injury.

• Seventh candidate interviews for Broncos vacancy 1/8/2009, 5:32 p.m. EST
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Team owner Pat Bowlen wrapped up his first round of interviews for the Denver Broncos' head coaching vacancy Thursday when he met with Miami Dolphins secondary coach Todd Bowles.

• Are the Eagles this year's Giants? 1/8/2009, 4:27 p.m. EST
(AP) — Justin Tuck chuckled when he was asked if the Philadelphia Eagles are this year's version of the New York Giants, a low-seeded wild-card team that can go all the way.

• ACC commish says BCS complies with law 1/8/2009, 3:47 p.m. EST
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Bowl Championship Series officials believe they're prepared to fend off any legal challenges.

• Browns introduce Eric Mangini as coach 1/8/2009, 11:15 a.m. EST
BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Eric Mangini is starting over where he started out.

• Cowboys release troubled cornerback Pacman Jones 1/8/2009, 3:59 a.m. EST
IRVING, Texas (AP) — Troubled cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones must look elsewhere in the NFL for another chance. The Dallas Cowboys are done with him.

• AP Source: Seahawks to hire Knapp as coordinator 1/8/2009, 12:56 a.m. EST
SEATTLE (AP) — Greg Knapp will be the new offensive coordinator for the Seahawks, the first of many moves to be made by Seattle under new coach Jim Mora.

• AP source: Browns to hire Eric Mangini as coach 1/8/2009, 12:13 a.m. EST
CLEVELAND (AP) — Eric Mangini is the new head coach of the Cleveland Browns, a week after being fired by the New York Jets. A person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press that Mangini will be introduced Thursday at a news conference at the team's headquarters in Berea.

• Rathman rejoins 49ers as RBs coach 1/7/2009, 10:41 p.m. EST
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Tom Rathman agreed to return to the San Francisco 49ers' coaching staff Wednesday night as their running backs coach.

• L.T. confirms torn tendon in groin 1/7/2009, 9:08 p.m. EST
SAN DIEGO (AP) — LaDainian Tomlinson confirmed Wednesday that he has a torn tendon in his groin and listed himself as doubtful for the San Diego Chargers' playoff game at Pittsburgh on Sunday.

• Sproles working to put stuttering behind him 1/7/2009, 8:34 p.m. EST
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Words don't come nearly as easily as yards and touchdowns do for Darren Sproles, the exciting little running back for the San Diego Chargers.

• Browns get Mangini; other teams looking 1/7/2009, 8:17 p.m. EST
(AP) — Eric Mangini didn't waste much time finding a job after being cut loose by the New York Jets, agreeing to a four-year deal Wednesday to coach the Cleveland Browns.

• Colts CB Jackson recovering after knee surgeries 1/7/2009, 8:10 p.m. EST
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indianapolis Colts cornerback Marlin Jackson said he is recovering well two months after his season-ending knee injury.

• Cowboys release troubled CB Pacman Jones 1/7/2009, 6:49 p.m. EST
IRVING, Texas (AP) — Troubled cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones was released by the Dallas Cowboys following a season in which he was suspended six games for an off-field fight.

• AP source: Browns to hire Eric Mangini as coach 1/7/2009, 6:26 p.m. EST
CLEVELAND (AP) — The Cleveland Browns will hire Eric Mangini as their next head coach, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press. Mangini, fired last week by the New York Jets, will be introduced at a Thursday news conference at the team's headquarters in Berea, said the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because Mangini's contract has not been finalized. Mangini reached an agreement with the club Wednesday, the person said.

• Jacobs practices; Tuck misses workout 1/7/2009, 6:23 p.m. EST
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — New York Giants leading rusher Brandon Jacobs returned to practice on Wednesday and pronounced himself ready to go for the NFC semifinal against the Philadelphia Eagles.

• Hold that pose: Florida, Oklahoma play for No. 1 1/7/2009, 5:02 p.m. EST
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Bob Stoops posed next to the crystal football and played along with a wave of photographers.

• Titans center Mawae trying brace for injured elbow 1/7/2009, 4:43 p.m. EST
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee Pro Bowl center Kevin Mawae insisted Wednesday he is day-to-day for the Titans' divisional playoff game against Baltimore, and he didn't mean to cause such a stir by saying he wouldn't play this week.

• Former Chiefs GM Peterson not headed for Miami 1/7/2009, 4:36 p.m. EST
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Former Kansas City Chiefs boss Carl Peterson says he is not taking a job with Miami, ending speculation that began when he was seen at the Dolphins' playoff loss last Sunday.

• Ryan keeps focus on Titans, not head coaching job 1/7/2009, 4:31 p.m. EST
OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — Rex Ryan won't mind a bit if he has to wait a few more weeks before turning his full attention toward becoming an NFL head coach.

• Boldin sits out practice with hamstring injury 1/7/2009, 4:18 p.m. EST
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Arizona wide receiver Anquan Boldin rested his injured hamstring on Wednesday and said he's not sure he'll play in the divisional playoff at Carolina.

• Frazier sixth candidate seeking Broncos job 1/7/2009, 4:11 p.m. EST
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Broncos owner Pat Bowlen has interviewed a half dozen candidates to replace Mike Shanahan, three from each side of the ball.

• Panthers get trio of injured linemen back 1/7/2009, 2:27 p.m. EST
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Panthers should have starting defensive tackles Maake Kemoeatu and Damione Lewis back for Saturday's NFC divisional playoff game against Arizona.

• Ravens-Titans a defensive struggle 1/7/2009, 1:57 p.m. EST
(AP) — Baltimore and Tennessee played one of the stranger playoff games in NFL history eight years ago, a 24-10 win in Nashville by the Ravens in which they had just 134 yards of offense.

• 2 felonies against former Vikings Eller dropped 1/7/2009, 1:16 p.m. EST
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Two felony charges against Vikings great Carl Eller are being dropped. A judge will rule on two lesser charges stemming from his clash with police last April.

• Saints: Bush had left knee surgery 1/7/2009, 9:43 a.m. EST
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The New Orleans Saints have confirmed that running back Reggie Bush had surgery on his left knee, and will require months of rehabilitation.

• Broncos bring in Cowboys' Garrett for interview 1/7/2009, 2:24 a.m. EST
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) — Rick Dennison served 14 seasons as Mike Shanahan's disciple, and now he wants to be his replacement.

• Jets owner meets with Brian Schottenheimer 1/6/2009, 10:25 p.m. EST
NEW YORK (AP) — New York Jets owner Woody Johnson formally met with offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer on Tuesday about the team's coaching vacancy, a person familiar with the search told The Associated Press.

• Saints QB Brees is AP Offensive Player of Year 1/6/2009, 9:24 p.m. EST
NEW YORK (AP) — Drew Brees understood what breaking a record set by Dan Marino would mean to the New Orleans Saints. So coming up 15 yards short was disappointing to the Saints quarterback, who won The Associated Press 2008 NFL Offensive Player of the Year award Tuesday.