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NFL

Mariucci interviews with Lions

DETROIT -- Former 49ers coach Steve Mariucci interviewed for the Lions head coach vacancy Thursday.

Mariucci arrived Wednesday night to tour Ford Field and meet with Bill Ford, team vice chairman and Ford Motor Co. chairman and CEO. Mariucci spent most of Thursday at the Lions' training facility in Allen Park before heading home, team president Matt Millen said in a statement.

"Steve and I will continue to discuss this opportunity over the next few days," Millen said.

Ford will be in San Francisco on Saturday to give the keynote speech at the National Automobile Dealers Association convention, but it's not known if he'll meet with Mariucci while in town.

Lions spokesman Bill Keenist said Mariucci is the only candidate that has had an interview. However, the team is committed to the league's policy of interviewing at least one minority candidate.

"We're doing our best to comply with that initiative," Keenist said.

Marty Mornhinweg, who served as offensive coordinator under Mariucci with the 49ers, was fired Monday.

Mariucci, who was born and raised in Iron Mountain, Mich., had a 60-43 record in six seasons with the 49ers and guided the team to the playoffs four times.

Commissioner files suit

CINCINNATI -- A Hamilton County commissioner who contends the Bengals violated their stadium lease by failing to be competitive filed a taxpayer suit against the team and the NFL.

Commissioner Todd Portune also named all of the league's other franchises in the suit filed in Hamilton County Common Pleas Court. The complaint alleges fraud, civil conspiracy, antitrust violations and breach of contract.

Portune's lawyer, Robert Furnier, said the suit was filed because the Bengals and the league refused to meet with the commissioner or negotiate a new lease for 65,000-seat Paul Brown Stadium.

Portune wants the Bengals to renegotiate their lease for the $458-million stadium, which opened in 2000. Earlier this week, he asked the league to provide an $80-million loan to enable county taxpayers to pay off the stadium.

COLTS: Kicker Mike Vanderjagt apologized to coach Tony Dungy, quarterback Peyton Manning and the rest of his teammates for criticizing them in an interview on Canadian cable television earlier this week. "Basically, I spoke before I thought," Vanderjagt said in a statement. "I am extremely frustrated by losing and expressed it in the wrong manner and in the wrong forum."

DOLPHINS: Cornerback Patrick Surtain dropped out of the Pro Bowl because of a knee injury and was replaced by teammate Sam Madison.

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