The NFL notebook …
KANSAS CITY, Mo.— The Kansas City Chiefs were courting former Eagles coach Andy Reid on Wednesday as they searched for a replacement for Romeo Crennel, who was fired this week after the worst season in franchise history.
Chiefs chairman Clark Hunt was meeting with Reid in Philadelphia, a person familiar with Reid’s plans told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the plans were not made public.
ESPN.com first reported the interview would take place.
Reid, fired Monday after 14 seasons in Philadelphia, also planned to interview for the open job in Arizona. The Cardinals dismissed Ken Whisenhunt on Monday.
The Chiefs have a connection with Reid through team president Mark Donovan, who spent his previous six years as the Eagles’ senior vice president of business operations.
The Eagles were 3-13 the year before he arrived, but two seasons later, they went 11-5 and finished second in the NFC East. It was the first of five straight years in which the Eagles won at least 11 games, and included a trip to the Super Bowl after the 2004 season.
Reid was 130-93-1 in Philadelphia, the most wins in franchise history. He helped the Eagles win 10 playoff games — the Chiefs haven’t won one since 1993 — and six division titles.
Reid is considered a bright offensive mind with success developing quarterbacks, an area of particular need in Kansas City. His best years coincided with Donovan McNabb’s best years, and the 54-year-old coach also worked with Brett Favre early in his career in Green Bay.
WILL KELLY GO TO BROWNS?
CLEVELAND — The Browns may strike quickly to get Chip Kelly, Oregon’s coach who does everything in a hurry.
Kelly, whose up-tempo, fast-paced offense has captured the imagination of several NFL teams and maintained the Ducks’ status as a national power, appears to be near the top of Cleveland’s list of candidates to replace Pat Shurmur, fired earlier this week after going 9-23 in two seasons.
According to several reports, Browns CEO Joe Banner is already in Arizona and intends to interview Kelly, who is preparing the fifth-ranked Ducks for Thursday night’s Fiesta Bowl against Kansas State.
RAMS
ST. LOUIS — The St. Louis Rams will not renew the contract of linebackers coach Blake Williams, son of suspended defensive coordinator Gregg Williams.
A team spokesman told the Associated Press Wednesday night that there was “nothing to report” on Gregg Williams, banished for his role in the New Orleans Saints’ bounty scandal. Gregg Williams was an early addition to new coach Jeff Fisher’s staff last winter and Fisher did not replace him after the NFL handed down its suspension.
JETS
NEW YORK — Tony Sparano is still the Jets’ offensive coordinator.
And, as unlikely as it seems, there remains a chance he could be running Rex Ryan’s offense next season.
The Jets have not yet made a decision on Sparano’s job status.
DALTON’S SECOND CHANCE
CINCINNATI— Andy Dalton is getting a second chance to shine in a hometown playoff game. The first one didn’t turn out very well for him at all.
The Bengals quarterback had one of the worst games of his rookie season in front of a lot of family and friends in Houston last year. He threw three interceptions, including one that J.J. Watt returned for a touchdown, in the Texans’ 31-10 victory in the wild card round.
Dalton grew up in suburban Katy, Texas, and had never lost a game at Reliant Stadium, where he played twice in high school and once at TCU. He’s excited to be going back for what amounts to a second chance to look good in the playoffs.
“It’ll be fun,” Dalton said. “There’s a lot of family and (friends) around the Houston area and in Texas in general. It’s definitely cool to come back and play where I’m from.”