Tomlin nears end; Muir, Bisaccia staying

By RICK STROUD, STEPHEN HOLDER, GREG AUMAN and Associated Press
Published January 10, 2006

TAMPA - The Vikings rolled out a red carpet for Bucs defensive backs coach Mike Tomlin on Monday as he moved a step closer to becoming Minnesota's defensive coordinator.

Newly appointed head coach Brad Childress jetted into Tampa on Vikings owner Zygmunt Wilf 's private jet and returned to Minneapolis with Tomlin, according to Tomlin's agent, Brian Levy . Tomlin was scheduled to have a formal meeting with Childress and Wilf to discuss the job.

Levy already had begun working on the framework of a contract, and with other teams also showing interest in Tomlin, the Vikings were expected to finalize a deal this morning. Tomlin, 33, could be introduced as the new coordinator as early as today.

Tomlin could not be reached for comment but acknowledged in recent days his relationship with Childress and confirmed a mutual interest in taking the job.

If Tomlin is hired, it's expected Bucs defensive assistant coach Joe Woods will join him in some capacity.

Tomlin's pending departure was only one of several developments on the Bucs staff.

Coach Jon Gruden said offensive coordinator Bill Muir , 63, and special teams coach Rich Bisaccia , 45, have been re-signed. Bisaccia's return had been somewhat in doubt after the team denied him a chance to interview for another job last season when he was under contract.

Gruden also said the team is working to re-sign several other assistants, among them receivers coach Richard Mann and running backs coach Art Valero .

Meanwhile, defensive line coach Rod Marinelli , as expected, arrived in Detroit to interview for the Lions head coaching job. Those talks were expected to continue today. The Lions have not given a timeframe for hiring a coach. Gruden said he expected Marinelli to draw interest from "several" teams, adding, "He's a guy I would recommend highly."

Marinelli could be a candidate for the Rams and Jets vacancies.

Gruden likely will have to fill at least a couple of spots on his staff.

"We've got some talented coaches who are drawing interest from other teams," Gruden said. "There are some talented coaches from other teams who are interested in our situation. So, it is double exciting that way. ... We'll do everything we can to surround ourselves with the most talented people we can."

In the front office, Doug Williams confirmed that his name was among several suggested to the Vikings by the Fritz-Pollard Alliance - an NFL advocacy group that promotes minority hiring - for the chief personnel position in the front office. But Williams said he knew nothing about the Vikings' intentions and has not been contacted.

Williams is currently a personnel executive for Tampa Bay.

T.O. TRADE?: Multiple reports said the Eagles have given Terrell Owens ' agent permission to seek a trade for his client. Previously, it was expected the Eagles would simply cut their disgruntled receiver before free agency, allowing him to sign elsewhere.

But Monday's news means the Eagles would like to recoup something in exchange rather than allow Owens to walk away for nothing. The Bucs are believed to be one of several teams interested in Owens.

For any team wishing to trade for Owens, there is one major hurdle: The team would be responsible for his base salary and bonuses for next season, which will exceed $8-million. With the Bucs' salary cap situation, that likely would make a trade for Owens prohibitive, unless a new deal was negotiated.

Reached by the Times, Owens' agent, Drew Rosenhaus , declined comment. Gruden also declined comment on the possibility of acquiring Owens, citing the league's tampering rules that restrict teams from commenting on players under contract with another club.

But the coach did speak to Owens' playmaking ability: "We like explosive players, yes. I think anybody that stood up here would say, "Give me three of those.' You need explosive players to win championships."

ALL-PRO BUCS: Linebacker Derrick Brooks and cornerback Ronde Barber were selected to the Associated Press All-Pro team for the second straight season. It is the fifth time for Brooks, the most of any of this year's All-Pros and the most in franchise history. It is the third selection for Barber. Both were also chosen to the Pro Bowl. (Complete team, 7C)

PLAYER ARRESTED: Jonathan Clinkscale , a rookie offensive lineman who was signed to a futures contract last week, was arrested on a charge of driving under the influence. Clinkscale, 23, was arrested at 5:18 a.m. Monday in Tampa after police said he registered blood-alcohol tests at 0.179 and 0.173, more than twice the 0.08 percent threshold at which the state presumes a driver is too impaired to drive. He was released from jail on a $500 bond. He was one of four players to test positive for marijuana at the NFL scouting combine in the spring and was entered into the league's substance abuse program. If convicted on the DUI charge, he would face a fine and/or suspension from the NFL.

EIGHT SIGNED: In addition to Clinkscale, seven others were signed to one-year futures contracts. Three - Larry Brackins , Paris Warren and former Gaither High standout J.R. Russell - were receivers drafted in April but later cut. Three others - cornerback James Patrick , defensive end Andrew Williams and safety Claudius Osei - were on the practice squad. The last is Stefan Rodgers , a tackle cut by the Titans in August.

[Last modified January 10, 2006, 11:25:55]