Dallas’ Romo returns to the field in stride
Though the Pro Bowl is usually short on drama, there’s a good reason to watch until the end this year: Tony Romo will be holding for the NFC’s kicks.
The Dallas Cowboys quarterback gets his first chance Saturday to play after his infamous playoff flub on a short field goal late in the Cowboys’ loss at Seattle.
From that moment, Romo couldn’t wait to get back on the field – and he’s been all smiles at practice this week, soaking up the sunshine and his new teammates.
“It’s always good to get that taste out of your mouth,” he said. “You’ve got to move on. Eventually, you’ve got to get on and get ready for the next season, and that’s what I’m doing.”
The Cowboys started 8-4 with a two-game lead in the NFC East before losing four of their last five, including the final three, culminating with a playoff loss in Seattle when Romo couldn’t place the snap. Romo was devastated, sitting near the goal line of Qwest Field, chin buried in his chest and his hands covering his facemask.
But Romo is making his first Pro Bowl appearance after taking over for Drew Bledsoe in late October and passing for 2,903 yards, 19 touchdowns and 13 interceptions.
Dallas search continues
Since the Colts won the Super Bowl, assistant head coach Jim Caldwell has gone from rainy Miami to frigid Indianapolis for a victory celebration and now to sunny Dallas to interview for the Cowboys’ head coaching vacancy.
Caldwell became the 10th and likely last candidate to interview with Dallas owner and general manager Jerry Jones in the search to replace Bill Parcells, who retired Jan. 22.
San Francisco assistant coach Norv Turner, a two-time head coach and the Cowboys’ offensive coordinator for two Super Bowl titles in the 1990s, is still viewed as the front-runner for the job.
Jones also interviewed defensive coordinators Wade Phillips of San Diego and Gary Gibbs of New Orleans, and Hall of Fame linebacker Mike Singletary, a 49ers assistant.
Kiel pleads guilty
Chargers safety Terrence Kiel pleaded guilty in San Diego to felony and misdemeanor drug charges for shipping codeine-based cough syrup to Texas, part of a plea bargain that could allow him to avoid jail time.
One of six Chargers involved in eight run-ins with police since April, Kiel was ordered to do 100 hours of volunteer work, including talking to young people about the dangers of drugs, and undergo counseling for gambling.
Around the league
The Oakland Raiders hired Mark Jackson as director of football development. … The Chargers hired Clancy Barone as tight ends coach and Matt Simon as running backs coach.