O’Donnell Demoted By Parcells

Glenn Foley is producing, Neil O’Donnell isn’t - at least not the way coach Bill Parcells wants him to. So Foley will be the starting quarterback for the New York Jets on Sunday at Miami.

While O’Donnell, who earns $5 million a year, becomes the most expensive backup in NFL history, Foley moves from effective relief pitcher to starter.

“Obviously, Bill has confidence in my ability to move the team and to put some points on the board,” said Foley, who replaced O’Donnell in the Jets’ last two games and led them to victories.

With Jim Harbaugh and Paul Justin both nursing hand injuries, Kelly Holcomb, the Indianapolis Colts’ emergency quarterback only three weeks ago, is expected to make his first NFL start Sunday against Cincinnati. Kerwin Bell, signed as a free agent last week, will be Holcomb’s backup.

Danny Kanell, who has played a major role in the five-game winning streak that has the New York Giants atop the NFC East, will continue as the starting quarterback the rest of the season. In making the announcement, Giants coach Jim Fassel said he didn’t want Kanell looking over his shoulder and worrying whether he would keep the job once Dave Brown recovered from a slightly torn chest muscle.

Philadelphia Eagles coach Ray Rhodes named Ty Detmer his starting quarterback for Monday night’s game against San Francisco, saying his decision was based on the rationale that Detmer had limited success in last week’s 31-21 loss at Arizona, while Rodney Peete, who started the last three games, had none.

The Kansas City Chiefs signed free-agent quarterback Billy Joe Tolliver to a two-year contract, two days after starter Elvis Grbac broke his collarbone. Tolliver was released by Atlanta Oct. 27.

Switzer gets vote of confidence

Dallas Cowboys coach Barry Switzer won a vote of confidence from owner Jerry Jones, who took issue with a Washington Post report that said Switzer would be replaced by director of scouting Larry Lacewell next week.

“It shows you how bad sources can be,” Jones said while the Cowboys, 4-5, prepared for Sunday’s game against Arizona. “Barry’s job is secure. There’s no truth to that. It’s not going to happen. We’re going to ride through these rough times and we’re going to ride with Barry Switzer.”

Bears suspend Spellman

The Chicago Bears suspended defensive end Alonzo Spellman indefinitely without pay after the former first-round draft pick said no to exploratory arthroscopic surgery on his ailing left shoulder.

Spellman had missed five straight games with what was initially diagnosed as a mild strain of the rotator cuff.