Sports: NFL briefs

NFL briefs

Compiled from Times wires

Split Carruth jurors ordered to keep going

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Deadlocked jurors in Rae Carruth's murder trial were ordered Thursday to keep trying to reach a verdict on whether the former Panther masterminded the killing of his pregnant girlfriend.

"We voted on all four charges, and we are split on all four charges," said a note from the jurors that was read in court by Judge Charles Lamm. "We are at an impasse and need instruction on what to do at this point."

After a lunch break, Lamm told the jurors to resume deliberations and keep a record of the numerical split of their votes. The jury must vote unanimously to convict.

Court recessed for the day at 4:30 p.m., bringing the length of deliberations to about 141/2 hours since jurors got the case Tuesday.

Carruth, 26, is charged with first-degree murder in the shooting of Cherica Adams, who was eight months pregnant with his child. He could be sentenced to death if convicted.

Adams, 24, was shot four times Nov. 16, 1999, while driving down a Charlotte street. She died a month later. Her son was delivered by emergency Caesarean section and is in the custody of Adams' mother.

Carruth also is charged with conspiracy to commit murder, shooting into an occupied vehicle and using an instrument to destroy an unborn child.

BROWNS: Cleveland has lined up at least five NFL assistant coaches for interviews for its head coaching job. Team president Carmen Policy said through team spokesman Todd Stewart the search likely won't end until the week after the Super Bowl.

Policy and owner Al Lerner are expected to begin formal interviews next week. The assistants penciled in for meetings are New Orleans offensive coordinator Mike McCarthy, Baltimore defensive coordinator Marvin Lewis, Tennessee defensive coordinator Gregg Williams, San Francisco offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg and Browns defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel.

CBS RE-SIGNS SIMMS: The network signed lead analyst Phil Simms to a new five-year contract. Terms were not disclosed. Simms had two years remaining on his old deal.

CHARGERS: San Diego named A.J. Smith assistant general manager. Smith, 51, spent the past 14 years with the Bills working with new Chargers general manager John Butler, who was fired as Buffalo's GM this season.

DOM CAPERS: Jacksonville's defensive coordinator has emerged as the leading candidate to become coach of the expansion Houton Texans and could be hired within the next week, the Houston Chronicle reported.

Owner Bob McNair said he met with Capers on Thursday for a second time.

"The likelihood that we may be able to work something out with Dom has increased," McNair told Houston television station KRIV.

Recently, McNair said he would not hire his coach until after the 2001 season.

Meanwhile, the Bills received permission to interview Capers for their coaching job. They declined to comment on whether Capers was scheduled to meet with general manager Tom Donahoe, who is at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Ala..

FALCONS: Rich Brooks, defensive coordinator since 1997, resigned, saying he was disappointed about failing to land another head coaching job. "If the opportunity presents itself again this fall, I just want to be available," he said. Brooks, 59, coached the St. Louis Rams in 1995-96. He has not interviewed for another head coaching job.

PANTHERS: Paul Boudreau was named offensive line coach. Boudreau spent the past two seasons in the same job with the Dolphins. He replaces Tony Wise, who left Carolina at the end of last season to take Boudreau's job in Miami.

VIKINGS: Defensive tackle John Randle was fined $12,500 for making an obscene gesture and wearing face paint during the Vikings' playoff victory over New Orleans on Jan. 7. NFL spokeswoman Leslie Hammond said Randle was fined $7,500 for a public display of obscenity after a sack and $5,000 for painting his face black.