Cameron fired as Ravens’ OC
Cam Cameron was fired Monday as offensive coordinator of the Baltimore Ravens, who have lost two straight and are still striving for consistency in the running and passing game.
Cameron ran the Baltimore offense since the start of the 2008 season for coach John Harbaugh. Since that time, the Ravens’ attack has repeatedly taken a back seat to the team’s defense, and this year the offense ranks 18th with 344.4 yards per game.
Jim Caldwell, who was hired as quarterbacks coach before the season, will assume Cameron’s duties. Caldwell was head coach of the Indianapolis Colts from 2009-11.
Harbaugh didn’t give a detailed explanation for the move, which came less than 24 hours after the Ravens lost to the Washington Redskins 31-28 in overtime.
The move comes with the Ravens stuck in their first losing streak since they dropped three in a row in October 2009. Yet Baltimore (9-4) needs only one win to sew up its fifth straight playoff appearance and holds a two-game lead in the AFC North over Cincinnati and Pittsburgh with three games to play.
Although Harbaugh refused to criticize Cameron, the Ravens’ offense has sputtered at times this season. Baltimore scored touchdowns on three of its first four possessions against the Redskins but managed only seven points after halftime.
Redskins’ RG3 has mild LCL sprain
All the medical terms associated with Robert Griffin III’s knee injury can be boiled down to one simple message: It’s not too bad.
The NFL’s top-rated quarterback might or might not play Sunday when the Washington Redskins visit the Cleveland Browns.
Griffin has a mild, or Grade 1, sprain of the lateral collateral ligament located on the outside of the knee, caused when he was hit by defensive tackle Haloti Ngata at the end of a 13-yard scramble late in regulation of the 31-28 overtime win over the Baltimore Ravens.
Cowboys may be without Bryant
The Dallas Cowboys might be without wide receiver Dez Bryant for their playoff push.
Bryant injured his left index finger in a 20-19 victory over Cincinnati on Sunday.
Bryant re-entered the game after sustaining the injury and caught a touchdown pass that pulled the Cowboys to within 19-17 in the fourth quarter.
Safe ride program creates alternative
Jerry Brown’s death on Saturday and the arrest of defensive tackle Josh Brent after police say he caused the fatal wreck by speeding and driving drunk put the NFL Players Association’s safe ride program back in the spotlight. It was revamped three years ago after concerns that enough players weren’t using it.
To use the program, players can either work in advance to set up a full night with a driver or make a call for a ride home. The brochure says most response times are less than an hour.
Former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue will rule today on the latest round of player appeals in the NFL’s bounty probe, and any potential punishment will be delayed by a week, a person familiar with the decision said. … Michael Vick and LeSean McCoy have passed concussion tests and could return to practice with the Eagles as early as today. … Buffalo running back Fred Jackson will miss the rest of the season with a sprained ligament in his right knee. … Arizona president Michael Bidwill said a decision on whether Ken Whisenhunt remains as coach will be made after the season. … Jacksonville coach Mike Mularkey is out of the hospital and feeling fine. The team offered few details about his illness. … Chargers president Dean Spanos is still expected to fire coach Norv Turner at the end of the season despite Sunday’s 34-24 win over Pittsburgh.