Colts’ Dungy done?
Coach Tony Dungy doesn’t want to talk about retirement yet.
Dungy, who has considered leaving football each of the past two years, acknowledged Thursday he would talk with his wife and Indianapolis officials about the future when the Colts’ season ends.
Speculation about his potential departure was fueled by a report Thursday in the Tampa Tribune that said his son, Eric, enrolled at Plant High School in Florida. Eric Dungy, who turns 16 on Saturday, was a receiver-defensive back at Park Tudor High School in Indianapolis the last two years but reportedly began attending classes at Plant on Tuesday.
Tony Dungy would not confirm the report.
“I’m not going to say anything because it’s not really worthy of comment,” he said. “I’ve heard and read a lot and some of it is true, some of it is partially true and some of it isn’t true at all. I wouldn’t read anything into any of the things you hear and read.”
The 52-year-old Dungy signed a three-year contract extension in September 2005, a deal intended to keep him with the Colts through 2009.
But he has considered leaving football before.
He waited one week after the 2005 season to announce he would return when some speculated he might retire to spend more time with his family following the death of his 18-year-old son, James. Last year after leading the Colts to their first Super Bowl title in more than three decades, Dungy again briefly considered retirement.
And he’s ready to follow the same decision-making process again this season.
“I’ll sit down with my wife and talk it through and then talk to (owner) Jim (Irsay) and (president) Bill (Polian), like I do every year,” Dungy said. “And then we’ll take a look at it.”
Book says Bush given cash
A San Diego sports marketer claims in a new book that he gave Reggie Bush nearly $300,000 in cash while Bush was a player at Southern California.
Based largely on interviews with Lloyd Lake, who tried to secure Bush as a client for the marketing company he attempted to launch, “Tarnished Heisman” claims the 2005 Heisman Trophy winner was provided with hotel stays, cash for shopping sprees and money to buy and customize a car.
The book’s authors, Don Yaeger and Jim Henry, acknowledge that Lake “has been compensated in return for his full cooperation,” according to a story posted on the Los Angeles Times’ Web site. Lake’s family members also were quoted extensively.
The book hints that USC coaches may have known about some of the arrangements, but it does not provide evidence that any school official was aware of alleged improper gifts.
Around the league
Terrell Owens, recovering from a sprained left ankle, ran routes and caught passes in his return to practice, showing only a slight limp at times and seems on track to play in the Cowboys’ playoff game against the Giants. … With two days left to treat his dislocated left big toe, Chargers tight end Antonio Gates said the decision whether he plays will be made Sunday morning before San Diego plays Indianapolis in a playoff game. … New Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland says the team moved quickly to hire David Lee as QB coach because of the job’s importance, even though the head coaching position remains vacant. Lee’s hiring was confirmed on Thursday. … Tennessee defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz became the first person to interview for the Redskins’ coaching vacancy as the team stepped up its search for a successor to Joe Gibbs. … The Falcons lost a candidate in their search for a general manager when Chris Mara of the Giants dropped out.