Marchibroda Returns To Baltimore

Twenty-one years to the day after he was hired as head coach of the Baltimore Colts, Ted Marchibroda returned to Memorial Stadium Thursday to take the same job with the city’s new NFL franchise, formerly the Cleveland Browns.

Marchibroda, who coached Indianapolis to the AFC title game last season and was fired after refusing a one-year extension, was introduced by Baltimore owner Art Modell.

Modell fired Bill Belichick on Wednesday.

In Indianapolis, the Colts replaced Marchibroda with offensive coordinator Lindy Infante.

It’s the second NFL coaching job for Infante, who was at Green Bay for four years and was the league’s coach of the year in 1989.

Infante’s appointment after one year as offensive coordinator had been expected since last week, when Marchibroda was fired after refusing a one-year contract extension.

Moon accused in 1986

The spouse abuse trial involving quarterback Warren Moon and his wife is not the first time accusations of violence have surfaced in the couple’s 18-year marriage.

Felicia Moon in 1986 accused her husband of beating her and sued him for divorce, according to documents filed in Fort Bend County at the time.

The petition, filed Feb. 7, 1986, lingered in court for 17 months before it was dismissed “for want of prosecution,” the court filing shows.

Judge sides with players

A federal judge in Minneapolis issued a temporary restraining order that set the NFL salary cap for 1996 at $40.8 million, about $2.1 million higher than the owners wanted.

However, both sides may agree to delay free-agent signings until the issue is resolved in a conference call with the judge Feb. 22.

Packers sign Chmura

Pro Bowl tight end Mark Chmura signed a three-year contract with Green Bay just before he would have become an unrestricted free agent.

Chmura, a four-year veteran, caught 54 passes for 679 yards and seven touchdowns last season as one of the favorite receivers of quarterback Brett Favre. The contract was believed to be worth between $1.3 million and $1.5 million a year.

Cowboys retain Woodson

The Dallas Cowboys took care of their top off-season priority by making Darren Woodson the highest-paid safety in NFL history.

The Cowboys and Woodson agreed to a six-year deal worth $18 million with a $5.4 million signing bonus.

To find the money, Dallas restructured the contracts of numerous players, including Kevin Smith and Erik Williams.

Falcons protect George

The NFL will release its list of franchise players, free agents and transition players today.

The Atlanta Falcons made quarterback Jeff George a transition player, which gives the team an opportunity to match any competing offer as long as the Falcons pay an average of the top-10 salaries at the position or give George a 20-percent raise, whichever is greater.

Around the league

Bob Whitfield signed a five-year, $15.5 million deal to stay with Atlanta, making him the highest-paid offensive lineman in the NFL. … The Buffalo Bills made left tackle John Fina their franchise player and agreed on a five-year deal with kicker Steve Christie. Fina’s designation means linebacker Cornelius Bennett, a cornerstone of the Buffalo defense, will become a free agent. … Defensive tackle Shawn Lee signed a four-year, $8.5 million deal to remain with the San Diego Chargers, who made room under the cap by adding a year to Junior Seau’s contract. … The Arizona Cardinals made Eric Swann their first franchise player and named Joe Greene to coach the defensive line. … The Pittsburgh Steelers will not re-sign fullback John L. Williams, making him a free agent, the player’s agent said. … Defensive tackle Ray Childress, an 11-year veteran and five-time Pro Bowl player with Houston, was released by the Oilers. … The 1999 return of the Cleveland Browns might be pushed back a year or two if it means the city has a better chance of building a domed stadium, Mayor Michael R. White said. … Defensive end Marvin Washington, a former standout at the University of Idaho, signed a four-year deal to remain with the New York Jets, who also changed the status of tight end Johnny Mitchell from transition to franchise player. …

The Dolphins reached the the salary-cap deadline by terminating the contracts of 32-year-old fullback Keith Byars and guard Tom McHale, waiving defensive backs Frankie Smith and Chico Nelson, and restructuring the contracts of four players, including defensive lineman Steve Emtman.