Super Bowl XLI

Rivera says he's in dark on Dallas speculation

By RICK STROUD
Published February 2, 2007

MIAMI - Bears defensive coordinator Ron Rivera could be the next coach of the Cowboys, but he is trying to concentrate on the job at hand - beating the Colts in Super Bowl XLI.

Rivera awoke Thursday to Internet reports that he could replace Bill Parcells as Dallas coach.

"My wife called me and said, 'Hey, I heard this,' " Rivera said. "I said, 'Okay, I haven't heard anything.' This morning, I got up, I went to the Internet, I did see it. It's a little frustrating because you can't talk to anyone in the same respect. I'm here, my focus is on Indianapolis, and that's the exciting part about it."

San Francisco offensive coordinator Norv Turner is considered the top candidate. ESPN.com reported that Turner had recommended hiring Rivera as the Cowboys defensive coordinator.

"That's something I'd address if it ever came to fruition," Rivera said. "Right now, I can't tell you because I don't know anything."

Rivera has interviewed for several head coaching jobs the past two years.

"I think it's great that people have confidence in me," Rivera said. "What I've always said, too, is that it speaks very well of what we've done here and the success we've had here. Coach (Lovie) Smith's plan and the way he does things is very successful. You would like to hope and think that people would hope to mimic that. How do you do it? You grab one of his assistant coaches."

49ERS: San Francisco hired Chargers linebackers coach Greg Manusky as defensive coordinator. Manusky, who played 12 seasons in the NFL, spent the past five years on the Chargers' staff, working with one of the league's top defenses. After retiring from the NFL in 1999, Manusky spent the 2000 season as a volunteer for Tony Dungy's Bucs training camp, where he worked with linebackers and special teams. One year later he accepted a job as Redskins linebackers coach.

EAGLES: Two sons of coach Andy Reid are under investigation, one suspected of pointing a gun at a motorist and the other accused of possessing drug paraphernalia after a car accident.

Britt Reid was questioned by police after a man matching his description in a sport utility vehicle registered to Andy Reid and his wife brandished a weapon at a driver during an argument Tuesday. Authorities served a search warrant at the home he shares with his parents in suburban Philadelphia. No charges have been filed.

And Garrett Reid was found Tuesday with drug paraphernalia after his sport utility vehicle collided with another vehicle in nearby Plymouth Township, said the township's deputy police chief, Joseph F. Lawrence. Reid was taken to a hospital for toxicology tests. No charges have been filed.

Andy Reid declined comment.

TITANS: An assault charge against cornerback Adam "Pacman" Jones was dropped because a judge ruled there were too many inconsistencies in the testimony of a woman who claimed Jones spit on her Oct. 26 at a nightclub.

OVERSEAS GAME: The Dolphins and Giants will play a regular-season game in London in September or October, the Associated Press reported, with the game scheduled around a bye week for both. The game will be at 90,000-seat Wembley Stadium, which opens in the spring, or 82,000-seat Twickenham.

STRINGER LAWSUIT: A federal judge ruled that Korey Stringer's widow can proceed with her negligence lawsuit against the league and equipmentmaker Riddell Inc. over his heatstroke death. Kelci Stringer sued the league and Riddell after Korey's death in 2001, saying the NFL hadn't done enough to ensure that equipment protected players from heat-related illnesses.

[Last modified February 2, 2007, 08:12:02]