Bucs: Bucs fire two assistant coaches

Bucs fire two assistant coaches

By RICK STROUD, Times Staff Writer

TAMPA -- Two Bucs assistant coaches will have to receive their Super Bowl XXXVII rings in the mail.

Tampa Bay fired strength and conditioning coach Johnny Parker and did not renew the contract of assistant offensive line coach Michael Christianson on Wednesday. Parker's termination was surprising since he has coached 17 NFL seasons and was in his first with Tampa Bay.

Tampa Bay was the fourth Super Bowl team Parker served as strength coach. He came to the Bucs after seven seasons (1993-99) with the Patriots.

But Parker was seen as a hire of Bill Parcells, who backed out of a contract agreement to coach the Bucs more than a month before the team traded for Jon Gruden.

Parker began his NFL career in 1984 when he joined Parcells' Giants staff.

Bucs general manager Rich McKay would not comment on the firings.

Christianson was in his first season as the Bucs assistant offensive line coach and offensive quality control coach. He assisted offensive line coach Bill Muir.

A-TRAIN HAS SURGERY: Fullback Mike Alstott became the fifth Bucs starter to have arthroscopic knee surgery within the past two weeks. Alstott had debris removed from his left knee by Dr. John Zvijac at Health South in Miami. Zvijac also performed surgery on defensive tackle Warren Sapp, left tackle Roman Oben, linebacker Shelton Quarles and cornerback Ronde Barber.

ERICKSON GETS AGRESSIVE: Dennis Erickson's big plans for the 49ers are mostly small adjustments to the franchise's successful formula. Erickson said he will add one element that consistently was thought to be lacking during coach Steve Mariucci's tenure.

"I think it all comes down to aggressiveness," Erickson said. "I want us to be aggressive on offense and defense. I want to throw the ball down the field. I want us to hit hard, tackle hard, block hard. That mental aspect is the most important thing I can pursue."

The 49ers hired Erickson on Tuesday after a lengthy search. Mariucci was fired Jan. 15.

"I think he was definitely the right person for this job," said QB Jeff Garcia, who called the long search embarrassing. "We finally have a coach in the fold, and I think it's somebody who definitely deserves to be here."

Also, Greg Knapp will remain offensive coordinator.

PANTHERS: Defensive line coach Mike Trgovac was promoted to defensive coordinator. He replaces Jack Del Rio, who was named Jaguars coach Jan. 16.

VIKINGS: Offensive lineman Lewis Kelly, who was slowed by injuries last season, signed a one-year deal worth $375,000.

-- Information from Times wires was used in this report.