On second thought …
San Diego Chargers coach Marty Schottenheimer was fired Monday night in a shocking move by team president Dean Spanos, who cited a “dysfunctional situation” between the coach and general manager A.J. Smith.
Less than a month after San Diego’s NFL-best 14-2 season was wrecked in a playoff loss to New England, Spanos cited the exodus of both coordinators and other assistants in firing Schottenheimer, who had a year left on his contact.
“The process of dealing with these coaching changes convinced me that we simply could not move forward with such dysfunction between our head coach and general manager,” Spanos said in a statement. “In short, this entire process over the last month convinced me beyond any doubt that I had to act to change this untenable situation.”
Defensive coordinator Wade Phillips was hired as head coach of the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday, following offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, who left to become head coach at Miami, and two other assistants out of town for better jobs.
Titans hire Seahawk
The Tennessee Titans finally replaced their general manager by hiring Mike Reinfeldt, the Seattle Seahawks’ vice president of football operations, as the successor to Floyd Reese.
Reinfeldt replaces Reese, who resigned Jan. 5 a month before his contract expired.
Reid takes leave
Andy Reid is facing a crisis far tougher than a quarterback controversy or a disruptive player.
The Philadelphia Eagles coach will leave the team for a month to deal with developments that have rocked his family recently – one son tested positive for heroin, another was arraigned on drug and weapons charges.
Giants release Arrington
The New York Giants released linebacker LaVar Arrington and two other starters in the first major shakeup under new general manager Jerry Reese.
New York also cut linebacker Carlos Emmons and offensive tackle Luke Petitgout, both of whom were slowed by injuries the last two seasons.
Romo extension coming
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo would be a free agent after the 2007 season, and, according to an NFL source, the team has no interest in allowing him to hit the market.
That means it’s no longer a question of if, but rather when, the Cowboys will begin formal discussions with Romo’s agent about a contract extension.
Romo signed a one-year extension through 2007 with a $2 million signing bonus Aug. 31.