NFL

CBS lures Brown away from Fox

By wire services
Published February 7, 2006

James Brown rejoined CBS as host of the network's pregame show and a play-by-play announcer for college basketball.

Brown, 54, had been the studio host of the pregame show on Fox since 1994. He now will anchor the NFL Today with Dan Marino, Shannon Sharpe and Boomer Esiason.

Brown joined CBS in 1984 as a play-by-play announcer for the NFL and college basketball. He hosted the 1992 and 1994 Winter Olympics on the network.

Brown's return became possible when NFL Today host Greg Gumbel said he wanted to call games again, CBS News and Sports president Sean McManus said.

McManus declined to disclose financial terms.

Gumbel will call games with Dan Dierdorf and Dick Enberg with Randy Cross.

Saints' return set

The Saints will play the Falcons on Sept.24 in the first event scheduled for the Superdome since it was heavily damaged by Hurricane Katrina. It will be the third game of the regular season.

The Superdome was used as a shelter for 25,000-30,000 people after the storm. Repair costs are estimated at about $140-million.

This past season, the Saints played one "home" game against the Giants in New Jersey, three in San Antonio, Texas and four in Baton Rouge, La.

CHARGERS: John Ramsdell was hired as quarterbacks coach and Hal Hunter as assistant offensive line coach. Ramsdell was the Rams' quarterbacks coach from 1998-02 and 2004-05 and tight ends coach in 2003. Hunter was offensive line coach at North Carolina for the past four seasons.

RAMS: Eight coaches were added to Scott Linehan's staff: Nick Holt (defensive line), Rick Venturi (linebackers), Willy Robinson (secondary), Ron Milus (assistant secondary), Paul Boudreau (offensive line), Wayne Moses (running backs), Doug Nussmeier (quarterbacks) and Randy Hanson (offensive quality control). Bob Ligashesky was retained as special teams coach.

[Last modified February 7, 2006, 01:13:13]