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NFL Notebook: Seahawks dismiss Mora after 1 year
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The Seattle Seahawks fired coach Jim Mora after just one season yesterday, leaving the former NFC West Division champs without a coach, general manager and president less than four years after they reached the Super Bowl XL against the Steelers.
Speculation on Mora's replacement immediately centered on Southern California coach Pete Carroll.
The Los Angeles Times reported yesterday that Seahawks chief executive officer Tod Leiweke flew to California this week to interview Carroll for the job. ESPN.com, citing unidentified league sources, said an announcement of Carroll joining the Seahawks could come early next week.
If ever two players seemed like locks to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility, receiver Jerry Rice and running back Emmitt Smith would be the choices.
Rice retired as the NFL's career receiving leader, and Smith finished as the top rusher. They were among 17 finalists announced yesterday for the Hall of Fame, including two senior nominees. The voting for entry into the shrine by a 44-member panel will Feb. 6, the day before the Super Bowl. The Class of 2010 will be inducted in August in Canton, Ohio.
Other finalists include Steelers center Dermontti Dawson and defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau, who played cornerback for the Lions and is considered one of the NFL's top assistant coaches. LeBeau is one of two senior nominees, along with running back Floyd Little. Former Steelers assistant coach Russ Grimm, a former offensive lineman with the Redskins, also is a finalist.
Kansas City hired former Notre Dame coach Charlie Weis as offensive coordinator. Weis, who was offensive coordinator for New England's Super Bowl teams, will be reunited with Chiefs coach Todd Haley. The two are longtime friends going back to the time when they shared an office as assistant coaches for the Jets.
Owner Ralph Wilson said the team has spoken to former Steelers coach Bill Cowher about its coaching vacancy, but Wilson isn't sure whether Cowher is interested. Cowher, who works as an NFL analyst for CBS, has declined to comment about his future.
Wide receiver Anquan Boldin is doing everything he can to be healthy enough to play in Arizona's wild-card game against the Packers. This three-time Pro Bowl receiver didn't practice again yesterday because of a left high ankle sprain, a condition compounded by a sprained left knee. He was listed as questionable tomorrow for the game.
Also, linebacker Chike Okeafor was fined $7,500 for a face-mask penalty on Packers quarterback Matt Flynn in Green Bay's victory Sunday.
The son of Minnesota coach Brad Childress was charged with drunken driving for the second time. Aaron Childress, 24, was arrested a week ago in St. Paul. He was charged with second-degree driving under the influence of alcohol. Court records show he posted bond and was released from jail, pending a March 2 court date.
Patriots defensive back James Sanders was fined $7,500 by the NFL for unnecessary roughness last week at Houston and Rams defensive end Chris Long was fined $7,500 for a head-butt of tackle Chris Patrick in a loss to San Francisco.
• Jets offensive tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson was added to the AFC team for the Pro Bowl. He replaces Dolphins tackle Jake Long, who is out with an injury. Packers rookie linebacker Clay Matthews was added to the NFC squad, replacing Bears linebacker Lance Briggs.
First Published January 9, 2010 12:23 am
