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By RICK STROUD
© St. Petersburg Times, published January 24, 2001
TAMPA -- The Bucs interviewed former Browns coach Chris Palmer for five hours Tuesday about their offensive coordinator's position.
Palmer also is the leading candidate for a similar position with the Bengals and possibly the Texans, who begin play in 2002.
Bucs coach Tony Dungy, who may speak to him by telephone again today, is trying to decide whether to hire his third offensive coordinator in as many seasons or promote a staff member.
Dungy is concerned about making quarterback Shaun King adjust to another system and is believed to be leaning toward promoting quarterbacks coach Clyde Christensen. An announcement could come Thursday or Friday.
The Bucs also are close to hiring a defensive backs coach to replace Herman Edwards, who was hired as Jets coach last week.
Charlie Harbison, who coaches defensive backs at Alabama, interviewed with Dungy in Tampa on Tuesday.
BROWNS: The club interviewed Saints offensive coordinator Mike McCarthy for its coaching job and said it wouldn't go back to college to find its man. Marty Mornhinweg, 49ers offensive coordinator, will be interviewed today.
CHIEFS: Former Rutgers coach Terry Shea, 54, was named quarterbacks coach.
JETS: Edwards has picked his coordinators -- former Southern Cal coach Paul Hackett (offense) and Ted Cottrell of the Bills (defense). The Jets reached agreements in principle with them and former Dolphins assistant Mike Westhoff, who will coach the special teams after 15 seasons doing so in Miami. Hackett, who will replace Dan Henning, spent three years at USC and was fired after a 5-7 record in 2000. His appointment may not bode well for quarterback Vinny Testaverde. Last week, Edwards said the Jets would emphasize the running game, and Hackett, 53, operates a West Coast offense based on short passes and strong running. Ray Lucas and Chad Pennington are more suited for that style. Cottrell reportedly has an out clause should the Bills select him to replace the fired Wade Phillips. Cottrell, who spent 11 seasons with the Bills, the last three as defensive coordinator, said he turned down a similar offer from the Redskins.
RAMS: Bobby Jackson was named associate head coach, Ken Zampese receivers coach and former Rams receiver Henry Ellard an offensive assistant.
REDSKINS: Director of player personnel Vinny Cerrato, 41, was fired less than three weeks after Marty Schottenheimer was hired as coach and director of football operations.
SEAHAWKS: Cortez Kennedy, who has spent all 11 of his seasons with the team, told the Seattle Times he plans to ask general manager/coach Mike Holmgren to release him so he can play for a contender. The star defensive tackle from the University of Miami often has indicated he might retire after the 2001 season.
VIKINGS: Ex-Lions assistant Brian Baker was named defensive line coach.
- Information from other news organizations was used in this report.