January 8, 2010 News Clippings

Transcription

1 January 8, 2010 News Clippings Pittsburgh Steelers

2 Steelers special teams aide Ligashesky is fired Page 1 of 1 SPORTS / STEELERS Steelers special teams aide Ligashesky is fired Ligashesky second assistant booted after a 9-7 season Friday, January 08, 2010 By Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Anonymous Bob Ligashesky,follows Larry Zierlein out the door After two days of meetings, it appears that Steelers coach Mike Tomlin is done making changes to his coaching staff. Now begins the process of finding replacements for two fired assistants. Special teams coordinator Bob Ligashesky, a McKees Rocks native, became the second assistant in as many days to be dismissed, joining offensive line coach Larry Zierlein. The Steelers officially announced both firings yesterday in a brief news release. The special teams were a major source of concern after the Steelers allowed four kickoff returns for touchdowns in a five-game span. The Steelers finished the regular season ranked 24th in the NFL in punt coverage, allowing an average of 9.8 yards per return; they were 30th in kickoff coverage, allowing an average of 24.3 yards per return. But, during their Super Bowl season in 2008, the Steelers' coverage units were among the best in the league, ranking No. 1 in kick returns and No. 4 in punt returns. It is not known who is being considered to replace Ligashesky, 46, but former Steelers special teams coach Bobby April ( ) is available. He waived the final two years of his contract with the Buffalo Bills, who fired their entire coaching staff this week, so he could be free to negotiate with another team. Meantime, former quarterbacks coach Ken Anderson, who retired Tuesday after 33 seasons in the NFL, including 17 as an assistant coach, was at the Steelers' South Side facility yesterday to clean out his office. Anderson, 61, spent three years with the Steelers as Ben Roethlisberger's position coach. Anderson will live full time in Hilton Head, S.C., where he has owned an offseason home for years. "You know how you know it's just time? Well, it was time," Anderson said. "I really enjoyed my three years here. I had a blast." NOTES -- The Steelers signed nine players to their offseason roster, including seven members of their 2009 practice squad and defensive tackle Scott Paxson. However, one of the players not signed is A.Q. Shipley, a former Penn State and Moon High School center who was on the practice squad. The practice-squad members signed to the offseason roster are running backs Justin Vincent and Isaac Redman, tight end Eugene Bright, wide receiver Jason Chery, safety Tuff Harris, defensive tackle Steve McClendon and linebacker Johnny Williams. Paxson, who spent time on the active roster and practice squad between , was signed along with place-kicker Piotr Czech, who was cut in training camp last summer. Gerry Dulac can be reached at gdulac@post-gazette.com. Ed Bouchette's blog on the Steelers and Gerry Dulac's Steelers chats are featured exclusively on PG+, a membersonly web site from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Our introduction to PG+ gives you all the details. First published on January 8, 2010 at 12:00 am

3 Steelers fire special teams coach Ligashesky - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Page 1 of 2 Steelers fire special teams coach Ligashesky By John Harris PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW Friday, January 8, 2010 A year after directing one of the NFL's top special teams units, Bob Ligashesky was fired Thursday as Steelers coach Mike Tomlin continues to follow though on his promise to shake-up his coaching staff. Ligashesky is the second assistant to be fired since Tomlin promised Tuesday to get rid of coaches. Offensive line coach Larry Zierlein was fired Wednesday. Ligashesky became a candidate for the unemployment line after the Steelers finished No. 30 in kickoff coverage and No. 24 in punt coverage this season. During a five-game stretch, the Steelers gave up four kickoff returns, two of them occurring during losses. In 2008, the Steelers ranked first in kick coverage and fourth in punt coverage. A native of McKees Rocks who was Pitt's special teams coordinator from , Ligashesky appeared to land his dream job when he joined the Steelers in Known for his enthusiastic coaching style earlier in his stint with the Steelers, Ligashesky pulled back during his second season as the Steelers won Super Bowl XLIII. This season, Ligashesky's unit took a hit when cornerback Anthony Madison, who led the team with 25 special-teams tackles in 2008, was released before the regular season. Madison's absence became noticeable when opponents started ripping off long kickoff returns, including touchdowns by Cleveland, Minnesota, Cincinnati and Kansas City. Tomlin, in an attempt to send a message to his special teams, released linebackers Arnold Harrison and Donovan Woods. The Steelers later signed defensive back Corey Ivy for one game and linebacker Rocky Boiman for the remainder of the season. When told of Ligashesky's firing, Madison said he was disappointed but not surprised. "I enjoyed working with him. You hate to see anyone lose their job this way,'' Madison said. "I just think it's part of the business. When things aren't going

4 Steelers fire special teams coach Ligashesky - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Page 2 of 2 right, somebody's got to go. Unfortunately, special teams was a phase of our game that didn't work out. "Last year, when we were ranked No. 1 and No. 4, special teams helped us get to the Super Bowl. This year, it's one of those situations where it hurt our team.'' Special team assistant Amos Jones is still on staff, so it isn't known if the Steelers will fill Ligashesky's vacancy. Bobby April, a former Steelers special teams coach who recently bought out the final two years of his contract with Buffalo, is considered among the best in the business. Another potential candidate could be Pittsburgh native Danny Smith, who has turned the Washington Redskins' special teams into one of the league's top units. Smith was a member of coach Jim Zorn's staff. Zorn was fired this week and replaced by Mike Shanahan, who hasn't yet determined which of those assistants he will keep. Smith was an assistant at William and Mary ( ), which is Tomlin's alma mater, so there could be a possible connection there. Note: The Steelers signed nine players to their offseason roster, including seven players who were members of this year's practice squad. But it was who they didn't re-sign that made news: center A.Q. Shipley, a seventh-round draft pick from Penn State and Moon High School in Kicker Piotr Czech, whom the Steelers signed last offseason and released after training camp, heads the list. He could provide competition for incumbent Jeff Reed, who will be an unrestricted free agent. The Steelers also re-signed another familiar face, defensive tackle Scott Paxson, who was originally signed as an undrafted free agent in 2006 from Penn State and played on the Steelers' active roster and practice squad from The other signees are tight end Eugene Bright, wide receiver Jason Cherry, safety Tuff Harris, defensive tackle Steve McClendon, linebacker Johnny Williams and running backs Isaac Redman and Justin Vincent. John Harris can be reached at jharris@tribweb.com or Images and text copyright 2010 by The Tribune-Review Publishing Co. Reproduction or reuse prohibited without written consent from Trib Total Media

5 Browns keeping Mangini on as head coach - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Page 1 of 2 Browns keeping Mangini on as head coach By The Associated Press Friday, January 8, 2010 CLEVELAND Eric Mangini pulled off his biggest win yet. Mangini will return for a second season as Cleveland's coach, a surprising personal victory following a four-game winning streak by the Browns that may have saved his job. New team president Mike Holmgren decided Thursday to retain Mangini, whose job seemed to be slipping away after the Browns started "I was able to gain some tremendous insight into his thought process and philosophies, and came away from our meetings very impressed," Holmgren said in a statement. "In my opinion, Eric has gained the respect and admiration of players, coaches and others in the organization, and with him continuing to lead the team I feel that we are headed in the right direction."» Plaxico Burress is not getting out of prison just yet. The work-release application for the ex-giants star was denied by the New York Department of Correctional Services because of the nature of his crime, criminal possession of a weapon.» Dallas Pro Bowl linebacker DeMarcus Ware missed practice yesterday because of a sore back. The problem isn't considered serious and Ware is expected to play in Saturday night's home playoff game against Philadelphia.» Rich Gannon won't be offering his help to the Oakland Raiders again any time soon. A day after the Raiders rebuffed an offer of help from their former quarterback, Gannon said on Sirius NFL Radio yesterday that "I won't make that call again." Gannon said on his show Wednesday that he had called team owner Al Davis to offer any help for the organization and struggling young quarterback JaMarcus Russell. The Raiders responded that Gannon was the one who needed help.» Colts coach Jim Caldwell plans to use Matt Stover during the playoffs instead of four-time Super Bowl winner Adam Vinatieri, regarded as the best clutch kicker in NFL history, saying Vinatieri had not fully recovered from midseason surgery on his kicking knee.» Tim Davey, the NFL's director of football operations, died Wednesday. He was 58. Davey was an employee of the New York Jets and the NFL for a total of 33 years.

6 Browns keeping Mangini on as head coach - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Page 2 of 2» The son of Bears Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton has signed a deal to play in the Indoor Football League with the Chicago Slaughter. The Associated Press can be reached at or. Images and text copyright 2010 by The Tribune-Review Publishing Co. Reproduction or reuse prohibited without written consent from Trib Total Media

7 TimesOnline.com: Shipley's future may not be with Steelers Page 1 of 2 Friday January 8, 2010 Shipley's future may not be with Steelers By: Mike Bires Beaver County Times Times photo by Lucy Schaly 8/2/09 Steeler training camp 2nd day-a.q. Shipley, Moon and Penn State graduate, during his second day of camp for the Steelers. PITTSBURGH A.Q. Shipley s rookie year with the Steelers was a positive experience. But that doesn t mean he ll be back next season. On Thursday, the Steelers signed seven of their eight practice squad players to their off-season roster. The only practice squad player not signed was Shipley, a center. An offer is on the table, but my agent and I are trying to figure out what s best for me, said Shipley. In other words, Shipley wants to play. On game days next year, the former Moon Area and Penn State standout wants to be in uniform as a member of a 53-man active roster. There are no guarantees that will happen in Pittsburgh. That s why Shipley and his agent Eric Metz are exploring other options. For the time being, he is not under contract with the Steelers. Shipley came to the Steelers as the first of their two seventh-round picks in the 2009 Draft. But with Justin Hartwig entrenched as the starter at center, Shipley was among those released in the final cut on Sept. 5. He was then signed to the practice squad and remained there all season.

8 TimesOnline.com: Shipley's future may not be with Steelers Page 2 of 2 The Steelers kept nine offensive linemen, including first-year pro Doug Legursky and rookies Kraig Urbik and Ramon Foster. As one of three third-round draft picks, Urbik wasn t going to be cut. Legursky and Foster, both undrafted out of college, had the edge over Shipley because they were able to play two positions. Foster wound up starting four games at left guard due to injuries to Chris Kemoeatu. But even as a practice squad player, Shipley learned a lot about the pro game. It was great, he said. Obviously, I was a little disappointed at first about being on the practice squad. I wanted to play. I felt I was good enough to play. I thought I played well enough in the preseason. But it just didn t work out. Still, from a first-year perspective, I think things went pretty well. I was able to go against (nose tackle) Casey Hampton, a Pro Bowler, every day in practice. I was able to practice against some good linebackers. I was able to get some more reps at guard and learn the system a little bit more. I put on about 10-to-15 pounds. So, yeah, it was a great experience. Playing on the practice squad did cost Shipley some cash. Had he made the active roster, he would have been paid $310,000, the NFL minimum for a first-year player. Practice squad players make around $88,400. Shipley was able to keep his $42,000 signing bonus. I m going to take a little time off and rest, Shipley said. I ve been training since I got off the plane from the Rose Bowl last year. I really haven t had any time off. So I need a break. Maybe I ll take a vacation here and there. Then when I come back and start training again, it ll be full go.

9 TimesOnline.com: Steelers notes: Ligashesky out Page 1 of 2 Thursday January 7, 2010 Steelers notes: Ligashesky out By: Mike Bires Beaver County Times PITTSBURGH Now that Bob Ligashesky has been fired, there probably won t be any more changes to Mike Tomlin s coaching staff. Ligashesky, a Sto-Rox High School graduate who s now living in Moon Township, was fired Thursday after spending three seasons as the Steelers special teams coach. This season, the Steelers did have some bright spots on special teams. Stefan Logan, a 28-year-old rookie, ranked sixth in the NFL with a 26.7 yard average on kickoff returns. That tied for the second-best average in franchise history. Kicker Jeff Reed tied for seventh in field goal accuracy at 87.1 percent (27 of 31). He also tied for sixth in field goals made. But what did Ligashesky in were the four touchdowns the kickoff coverage team allowed during a fivegame mid-season stretch. The Steelers lost two of the games in which they allowed a kickoff returner to score (at home against Cincinnati and on the road against Kansas City). Also, the Steelers ranked 27th in the league in kickoff coverage and 23rd in punt return coverage. With Ligashesky gone, Tomlin now has three vacancies to fill. On Tuesday, the Steelers announced that quarterbacks coach Ken Anderson had retired. On Wednesday, offensive line coach Larry Zierlein was relieved of his duties. BEN S ARM OK? Tomlin didn t seem concerned about the arm injury quarterback Ben Roethlisberger suffered in the regular-season finale in Miami. Roethlisberger was hurt as he reached for a fumble after he was sacked late in the fourth quarter of the Steelers win over the Dolphins. On the Steelers next possession, Roethlisberger could be seen holding his arm in pain. He did finish the game and completed his last three passes.

10 TimesOnline.com: Steelers notes: Ligashesky out Page 2 of 2 "No, I don't think that it is, Tomlin said when asked if Roethlisberger's injury might require surgery. I don't have specific, detailed information regarding it. But I don't think it's anything that's going to require a medical procedure of any kind." ROSTER MOVES Seven members of the Steelers 2009 practice squad were among nine players signed to the team s offseason roster. They were tight end Eugene Bright, wide receiver Jason Cherry, safety Tuff Harris, defensive lineman Steve McClendon, running backs Isaac Redman and Justin Vincent, and linebacker Johnny Williams. Also signed were second-year defensive tackle Scott Paxson and first-year kicker Piotr Czech. Paxson was originally signed by the Steelers as an undrafted rookie free agent out of Penn State and spent time on both the team s active roster and practice squad from Czech was with the Steelers during training camp last summer but was cut on Sept. 5.

11 Steelers fire Ligashesky Page 1 of 1 Steelers fire Ligashesky 3:34 AM Associated Press PITTSBURGH - Steelers special teams coordinator Bob Ligashesky has become the second assistant coach fired by coach Mike Tomlin in as many days. Ligashesky lost his job Thursday following a poor season by the Steelers' kick coverage units. They allowed four kickoff return touchdowns, matching the 1998 Vikings for the most permitted by a team since The Steelers ranked 30th in kickoff coverage and 24th in punt return coverage. Ligashesky, a former Pitt assistant, joins offensive line coach Larry Zierlein in being fired since the Steelers (9-7) failed to make the playoffs a season after winning the Super Bowl. Quarterbacks coach Ken Anderson also decided to retire. In other news, running back Isaac Redman and six other members of the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad have been added to the offseason roster. Also signed were tight end Eugene Bright, wide receiver Jason Chery, safety Tuff Harris, defensive tackle Steve McClendon, running back Justin Vincent and cornerback Trae Williams. Second-year defensive tackle Scott Paxson and first-year kicker Piotr Czech also were added to the roster. Paxson, out of Penn State, spent time on the active roster and practice squad from Copyright Observer Publishing Co.

12 Page 1 of 1 Steelers dismiss Ligashesky By: HERALD STANDARD STAFF Herald Standard PITTSBURGH (AP) - Steelers special teams coordinator Bob Ligashesky has become the second assistant coach fired by coach Mike Tomlin in as many days. Ligashesky lost his job Thursday following a poor season by the Steelers' kick coverage units. They allowed four kickoff return touchdowns, matching the 1998 Vikings for the most permitted by any team since The Steelers ranked 30th in kickoff coverage and 24th in punt return coverage. Ligashesky, a former Pitt assistant, joins offensive line coach Larry Zierlein in being fired since the Steelers (9-7) failed to make the playoffs a season after winning the Super Bowl. Quarterbacks coach Ken Anderson also decided to retire. Until this week, Tomlin had made no changes to his coaching staff since it was assembled in Steelers sign 9: Running back Isaac Redman and six other members of the Pittsburgh Steelers practice squad have been added to the team's offseason roster. Also signed were tight end Eugene Bright, wide receiver Jason Chery, safety Tuff Harris, defensive tackle Steve McClendon, running back Justin Vincent and cornerback Trae Williams. Second-year defensive tackle Scott Paxson and first-year kicker Piotr Czech also were added to the roster. Paxson, out of Penn State, spent time on the active roster and practice squad from Czech was cut by the Steelers last summer and by the Ravens during their 2008 training camp. Steelers kicker Jeff Reed is not signed for next season. Bills not eyeing move BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer has been reassured by Bills owner Ralph Wilson that he has no intention of entertaining offers to relocate the team to Los Angeles. In a statement released Thursday, the New York Democrat said Wilson told him by phone that he's had no contact with a real estate firm seeking to lure a team to L.A. Even if contacted, Wilson would have "absolutely no consideration of entertaining" any offers, Schumer said. This week, Majestic Realty Co. targeted as many as seven NFL franchises - including the Bills - as potential candidates to play in a new stadium some 25 miles east of Los Angeles. The Bills have secured their hold in western New York by signing a $78 million deal to play annual games in Toronto. January 08, 2010

13 N.F.L. Roundup - Holmgren and Browns Decide to Retain Mangini - NYTimes.com Page 1 of 2 This copy is for your personal, noncommercial use only. You can order presentation-ready copies for distribution to your colleagues, clients or customers here or use the "Reprints" tool that appears next to any article. Visit for samples and additional information. Order a reprint of this article now. January 8, 2010 N.F.L. ROUNDUP Holmgren and Browns Decide to Retain Mangini By JUDY BATTISTA Back in November, with his team reeling, his players grumbling, the fans booing, it was hard to imagine that Eric Mangini would make it until the end of the season. Instead, he will make it at least two. On Thursday, the Browns new president, Mike Holmgren, announced that Mangini would return for his second season, shocking many around the N.F.L. who assumed Holmgren would clean house. Holmgren was probably swayed by the four-game winning streak that raised the Browns record to Over the past few weeks, Eric and I have had a chance to talk on a number of occasions, including our meetings over the last two days, Holmgren said in a statement. I was able to gain some tremendous insight into his thought process and philosophies, and came away from our meetings very impressed. Now the Browns are set up to have an unusual structure. Holmgren is also interviewing general manager candidates, including the Eagles Tom Heckert, and general managers generally prefer to hire their own coaches. Instead, whoever gets the job will inherit Mangini, whose offensive and defensive styles are also not in line with Holmgren s, and a roster with one high-level playmaker, Joshua Cribbs, who is so upset about how negotiations for a new contract are going that he is already threatening a holdout for next season. The Browns might have opened themselves up to immediate second-guessing if they start slowly next season particularly with an accomplished coach already in the building, and presumably able to take over. FEWELL MEETS WITH GIANTS The former Buffalo Bills interim coach Perry Fewell has met with the Giants about their vacant defensive coordinator s job. Fewell said Wednesday that he would meet with the Giants on Thursday. The Record of Bergen County, N.J., confirmed that the meeting took place. Fewell, who was the Bills defensive coordinator until Dick Jauron was fired as coach, did not return messages left by The Associated Press seeking comment. (AP) HEALTH UPDATES Vince Wilfork and Ty Warren participated fully in practice for the second straight day on Thursday in preparation for New England s wild-card playoff game Sunday.... The Cowboys Pro Bowl linebacker DeMarcus Ware missed practice on Thursday because of a sore back, but is expected to play Saturday.... The Colts will use Matt Stover in the playoffs instead of Adam Vinatieri. The team said Vinatieri had not fully recovered from midseason surgery on his kicking knee. (AP) BILLS HAVE NO PLANS TO MOVE Senator Charles Schumer, Democrat of New York, said he had been reassured by the Bills owner Ralph Wilson that he had no intention of moving the team to Los Angeles.

14 N.F.L. Roundup - Holmgren and Browns Decide to Retain Mangini - NYTimes.com Page 2 of 2 Schumer said Wilson told him by phone that he had had no contact with a real-estate company seeking to lure a team to Los Angeles. (AP) AROUND THE LEAGUE The Steelers special-teams coordinator, Bob Ligashesky, has become the second assistant coach fired by Coach Mike Tomlin in two days. Ligashesky lost his job after a poor season by the Steelers kick coverage units, which allowed four touchdowns on kickoff returns....players on the two Super Bowl teams who miss the Pro Bowl this year will receive a full share, the league said. (AP) Copyright 2010 The New York Times Company Privacy Policy Terms of Service Search Corrections RSS First Look Help Contact Us Work for Us Site Map

15 Another win for Eric Mangini: Holmgren will keep Browns coach - USATODAY.com Page 1 of 2 Powered by Another win for Eric Mangini: Holmgren will keep Browns coach CLEVELAND (AP) Eric Mangini came up with his biggest win yet. Mangini will return for a second season as Cleveland's coach, a surprising personal victory following a four-game winning streak by the Browns that may have saved his job. New team president Mike Holmgren decided Thursday to retain Mangini, whose job seemed to be slipping away after the Browns started Mangini's staff has been asked to return as well. Holmgren spent the past two days in meetings with Mangini, who was fired after last season by the New York Jets and had a turbulent first year in Cleveland. "I was able to gain some tremendous insight into his thought process and philosophies, and came away from our meetings very impressed," Holmgren said in a statement. "In my opinion, Eric has gained the respect and admiration of players, coaches and others in the organization, and with him continuing to lead the team I feel that we are headed in the right direction. "Working together, our goal is to build on the strong tradition of this franchise and help get the Browns back to the playoffs." Mangini felt confident all along that he would be back despite signs that the team was planning to go in another direction. Browns owner Randy Lerner did not attend any of the club's final three games, and there were reports that Holmgren was already lining up possible replacements. Instead, Holmgren elected continuity over a swift coaching purge and decided one year was not a fair barometer to judge Mangini, Cleveland's fourth coach since "I want to thank Mike for the opportunity to not only meet with him and share my thoughts and vision on what it takes to lead a team, but also to continue what we started here," Mangini said. "I believe we made some real, tangible progress throughout the course of the season, culminating with wins in our final four games. I feel as though the culture and mindset that we established this year have laid the foundation for success in 2010 and beyond, and I'm looking forward to working with Mike and a general manager in making this happen." During his introductory news conference Tuesday, Holmgren said that "absolutely" Mangini had a legitimate chance of keeping his job. Cleveland's new boss kept his word and evidently liked what he heard from Mangini, whose first season with the Browns was anything but smooth. Players questioned his methods. Fans wanted him fired. The national media scorned him. Mangini survived. Although he and Mangini have different offensive and defensive philosophies, Holmgren apparently found enough common ground to want to work with his inherited coach. Holmgren's decision to keep Mangini, who has three years left on his contract, comes with risk. If the Browns don't start well next season, the focus will shift to whether Holmgren will return to the sideline. Earlier this week, the 61-year-old Holmgren, who won an NFL title with Green Bay and took Seattle to its only Super Bowl appearance, said he has no plans to coach in Cleveland. "I did it," Holmgren said. "It was so much fun. I enjoyed it. I miss it, and I know I'm going to miss it. My challenge is to take my new role, help whoever the coach is be as successful as he can be and understand that. I'm in a different place now." Mangini was granted a second season one day shy of his first anniversary with the Browns, who hired him on Jan. 8 last year. He avoided joining an infamous club with Ray Rhodes, who was fired by two teams after two full consecutive seasons. Now that Cleveland's coaching situation is resolved, Holmgren can move down his to-do list. He will interview Seattle pro personnel director Will Lewis on Friday for the club's GM position. Lewis has a strong background with Holmgren, working with him in Green Bay and Seattle. After his playing career ended, Lewis was a scout with the Packers before following Holmgren to Seattle, where he joined the team's pro personnel department. Holmgren's interview with Lewis, who is black, fulfills the Browns' obligation to comply with the NFL's Rooney Rule, which requires teams to interview minority candidates for head coaching jobs and other key positions. On Wednesday, Holmgren interviewed Philadelphia GM Tom Heckert. Per league rules, the Browns would have to wait until the Eagles season ends before they could hire Heckert. Holmgren may also try to patch up a messy spat with Pro Bowl return specialist Josh Cribbs, who is upset with the club for not giving him a new contract. Cribbs and his agents blasted the team for their latest offer of $1.4 million per year. Cribbs has three years left on his current deal, but believes he has outperfomed it and should be rewarded for a strong season.

16 Another win for Eric Mangini: Holmgren will keep Browns coach - USATODAY.com Page 2 of 2 Cribbs cleaned out his locker at the team's facility on Thursday. He told The Associated Press he feels its "unlikely" that he'll play again for the Browns. "I did all the playing I'm going to play on this contract," he said. "I ain't doing nothing, I'm not showing my face until it's right." Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Find this article at: Check the box to include the list of links referenced in the article. Copyright 2009 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc.

17 Bills fans buy billboard decrying, 'We want Cowher' - NFL - SI.com Page 1 of 1 Powered by Posted: Thursday January 7, :46PM; Updated: Friday January 8, :47AM Bills fans buy billboard decrying, 'We want Cowher' BUFFALO, N.Y. (AP) -- Bring on Bill Cowher. With the Bills in the midst of a coaching search, that's the message fans intend to send team owner Ralph Wilson on a billboard to be displayed in Buffalo. Organizer Patrick Moran said Thursday an Internet campaign has raised more than the $1,125 needed to rent an electronic billboard for a week, starting Monday. It would feature the words, "Dear Mr. Wilson, we want this guy," superimposed over a picture of Cowher. The Bills have not commented on their coaching search since firing Dick Jauron in November. But Cowher, the former Steelers coach, has been widely speculated to be a candidate. Moran also helped organize a campaign in November, when a billboard was rented demanding Wilson clean house. Copyright 2010 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Find this article at: Check the box to include the list of links referenced in the article. Copyright 2007 CNN/Sports Illustrated.

18 Plaxico Burress' work release request denied by prison - NFL - SI.com Page 1 of 1 Powered by Posted: Thursday January 7, :38PM; Updated: Thursday January 7, :31PM Burress denied for work release NEW YORK (AP) -- Plaxico Burress is not getting out of prison just yet. Story Highlights NY Department of Correction turned down Plaxico Burress' request Burress made the application a few months into twoyear sentence Burress can appeal decision, or reapply for work release in July The work-release application for the ex-giants star was denied by the New York Department of Correctional Services because of the nature of his crime. Burress pleaded guilty in August to attempted criminal possession of a weapon for having a loaded handgun in a nightclub that went off and shot him in the leg. "At no time did you report this incident to local law enforcement. As such, it is determined that you must serve a greater portion of your sentence prior to consideration for potential participation in the temporary release program," the ruling said. The program would have allowed him to spend some portion of his two-year sentence at home. The announcement was made Thursday. Burress applied for the furlough Nov. 25, about two months into his sentence. Though he had no prior record, the decision wasn't a surprise; less than 5 percent of the more than 31,500 work-release applications in 2008 were granted. Burress can appeal, and may also reapply for work release in six months. His attorney, Benjamin Brafman, declined to comment. Burress, then a Giants receiver, was at the Latin Quarter nightclub in November 2008 with a.40-caliber gun tucked into the waistband of his track pants. He later said he was concerned for his safety because a teammate had been held up at gunpoint days before. The weapon slipped down Burress' leg and fired, injuring his right thigh. The gun wasn't licensed in New York or New Jersey, where Burress lived, and his Florida concealed-weapons permit had expired. He also failed to report the incident to authorities. Prosecutors argued the bullet narrowly missed a security guard. Manhattan Chief Assistant District Attorney Mark Dwyer said a quick furlough would send a bad message. The district attorney's office did not immediately comment Thursday on the application denial. Burress is being held in protective custody at an upstate prison because of his notoriety. The Giants released him in April, but the 32- year-old said he hopes to resume his NFL career. Copyright 2010 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Find this article at: Check the box to include the list of links referenced in the article. Copyright 2007 CNN/Sports Illustrated.